Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan

[Matt]

This applies only to Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne, but we're all voting against this waste of money, right?

[Deleted User 8570]

This applies only to Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne, but we're all voting against this waste of money, right?

No. An RTA is something every other major city has. Voting against it would be ignorant.

[audiophile]

A bus driver voting for regional busing?

Would we expect different?

[Deleted User 8570]

A bus driver voting for regional busing?

Would we expect different?

Probably not.. but I was really thinking of Chicago's suburban system as a good model, not the loyalty to the buses...

[TC Talks]

Matt,

When should Detroit begin taking steps to join the rest of the globe in how they move around. I personally can't think of a city the size of Detroit that doesn't have a Rapid Transit option from the airport.

Of course, Metro Detroit area keeps shrinking despite all the hipsters moving in, maybe that's the answer: just lower the tax base.

[craig11152]

As a Washtenaw County resident I will vote no. I am happy paying for the AAATA, a service I never use because it helps a small number of my neighbors. A large number of those buses are mostly empty most of the time. Only a couple runs at prime commute time actually fill up. I do not want to pay for people who are NOT my neighbors.
Plus in the case of Washtenaw County we aren't getting much in the package.

[audiophile]

Outmoded.

Use Uber or other private carpooling systems.

[Circle Seven]

I'm voting no.
I'm convinced no matter how much is spent, and how much is built, and how many grand plans come to fruitation, the seats on the busses and trains will be mostly empty.

[audiophile]

The corporate tax bill would be H*** - that can't be good for companies wanting to locate there.

A town near me is full of automotive shops - could it be lower taxes? Probably.

[Matt]

As a Washtenaw County resident I will vote no. I am happy paying for the AAATA, a service I never use because it helps a small number of my neighbors. A large number of those buses are mostly empty most of the time. Only a couple runs at prime commute time actually fill up. I do not want to pay for people who are NOT my neighbors.
Plus in the case of Washtenaw County we aren't getting much in the package.

Agreed. I have no idea why Washtenaw got dragged into this nonsense. The AAATA vote awhile back was a joke too.

[Deleted User 8570]

As a Washtenaw County resident I will vote no. I am happy paying for the AAATA, a service I never use because it helps a small number of my neighbors. A large number of those buses are mostly empty most of the time. Only a couple runs at prime commute time actually fill up. I do not want to pay for people who are NOT my neighbors.
Plus in the case of Washtenaw County we aren't getting much in the package.

You obviously don't understand how the mechanics and economics of busing works...

[craig11152]

As a Washtenaw County resident I will vote no. I am happy paying for the AAATA, a service I never use because it helps a small number of my neighbors. A large number of those buses are mostly empty most of the time. Only a couple runs at prime commute time actually fill up. I do not want to pay for people who are NOT my neighbors.
Plus in the case of Washtenaw County we aren't getting much in the package.

You obviously don't understand how the mechanics and economics of busing works...

actually I do understand the economics of busing at the AAATA. Each fare only covers about 17% of the cost of the ride. BUT as I indicated I am OK with that in my city in my county.

Now tell me what I don't understand about the mechanics?

[Deleted User 8570]

As a Washtenaw County resident I will vote no. I am happy paying for the AAATA, a service I never use because it helps a small number of my neighbors. A large number of those buses are mostly empty most of the time. Only a couple runs at prime commute time actually fill up. I do not want to pay for people who are NOT my neighbors.
Plus in the case of Washtenaw County we aren't getting much in the package.

You obviously don't understand how the mechanics and economics of busing works...

actually I do understand the economics of busing at the AAATA. Each fare only covers about 17% of the cost of the ride. BUT as I indicated I am OK with that in my city in my county.

Now tell me what I don't understand about the mechanics?

I was speaking of why the buses run empty sometimes and don't go back to the garage. There's a logical and logistical reason for it even if it appears inefficient on the surface. Many of the runs get full more than twice a day by the way. It's a well used service.

Washtenaw county gets connected to the other two systems. The whole point is to unite everything so the region has a seemless pubic system. It's the way every large city except us does it. AAATA is now a county wide entity too so it's not just your city anyways. That ship has sailed.