DDOT and funding for public transit really are not the problem because DDOT is not primarily a transit system; it is a jobs program. As soon as people realize this fact they will really recognize how the ads hurt the workers feelings. Detroit and the Feds are wasting millions on a 1920's streetcar line to nowhere, just as the people mover wasted money and transported almost no one.

Across the US, many other transit systems are the same; they are jobs programs run by quasi-governments. Because they are government run, they get huge subsidies to pay exorbitant wages with outrageous benefits. Case in point; Washington Metro Rail has incurred an unfunded pension liability of One BILLION dollars in its short 35 year existence. Combine that with their well-documented service and safety deficiencies and it is clear that a Governmentally controlled system is incapable of managing almost anything, least of all a transportation system [[think TSA, Amtrak, the Veterans Administration, etc. ad infinitum).

Is there a solution. Well, maybe in an Alice in Wonderland world but not this world. Private enterprise would be capable if they were not hobbled be incredible regulations, dogged by lawsuits [[governments are largely shielded from lawsuits) due to individuals lack of personal responsibility, labor contracts dictated be many jurisdictions, and a myriad of other 'restrictors' placed on businesses in this country. If you do not know what these are, you are part of the problem.


So just keep on payin' those taxes and fares for incompetent management and poor services and feel good that you are providing jobs for those who would not otherwise find jobs.


The River Rat