NYC Transit Strike

ITT we talk about the transit strike.

I say that the MTA should accede to the union's demands.  Honestly, they had a $1 billion surplus just after they acceepted around the same amount in the bond act.  The MTA needs to shape up, use the money to pay ITS fair share of the pensions it has underfunded, and then use the rest to improve the system, not cut prices on Metrocards for six weeks.

Discuss.

When private carriers want to raise revenue by boosting ridership, they lower fares.  The lower fares attract more riders, and some of those riders become regulars, pumping more money into the carrier.

When government carriers want to raise revenue by boosting ridership, they raise fares.  The higher fares detract riders, even regulars, and some of those riders take their money and pump it into other carriers or private automobiles, or they just simply walk.  Granted, it's less likely in Manhattan than in other large cities, but not unheard of.

With that kind of mentality, no wonder transit workers are underpaid and striking.

If the strike was announced with enough advance notice for most folks to make alternate plans (and I understand this one was), it wasn't too soon.