07-05-2019, 07:13 AM
jeffster Wrote:Rainrider22 Wrote:You nailed it. It is this attitude which creates a stigma for transit users. I wish I could use it more...
Ok, so I'll put it out there: even it was semi-true, isn't that the point? Why does it matter who uses it? So what if it was 75% student? They be people too!
The line from the article was "given the great reluctance of anyone other than students to ride the existing transit system." That suggests both that the lion's share of ridership is students (it's a little less than half), and that the small relative number of other people who use it do so "reluctantly." This all has to do with the arguments about "choice" ridership, and to what extent our transit system should be lifeline.
I'll answer your question "Why does it matter who uses it?" It matters because different people want different types of service. If you buy the author's argument and believe ridership is 75% student (it's not), and that the remainder of the people are on there because they have little choice, then you'll support service a certain way. And that would make sense, if it were true. That matters to me, because I want to take transit, I want good transit service, I'm a commuter not a student, and I don't live near the Universities.