This month Seattle’s
ending its ride free area, switching over to a strict Pay as You Get On system. Here are in my mind some of the implications:
- Busses less likely to be used by tourists on shorter visits
- Less confusion as to when to pay in the long term
- Initially some confusion as veteran travellers get used to the new system
- People will claim (correctly or not) that they hadn’t heard about the new system and try to get on for free for the first couple months
- Monorail might actually pick up a few new patrons from people who don’t like to walk very far and who used to take the bus most of the way from downtown to Seattle Center
- Fewer riders below the poverty line
- For former Pay as You Exit rides, transfers (real or ORCA) not as good for as long because the clock starts sooner
- No more confusion as to the exact borders of the Ride Free Area
- Potentially more money coming in to the transit system that can be used to develop new routes including light rail
- Likely more congestion due to people opting to drive rather than walk
- Shifts in clientele in businesses as people on their lunch break opt to eat/shop at places in their immediate vicinity
- Some people becoming more fit as they opt to walk short distances instead of taking the bus
No comments:
Post a Comment