Ms. Sit,

I am curious about these fare compliance numbers.

METREAUX boasts it averages over 40,000 tram boardings per day, yet the above MPD states 20,000 fares were checked by 20 oficers, then 9,681 with 124 being ticketed.

How do they keep track of who is checked?  Who do they check, when are the officers checking?

If the process is anything bureaucratic, as with the post office, I find it hard to believe the officers politely greet the rider, ask for the proof of payment, wait for the passenger to display proof, have time to write tickets, all during the peak load times since there are significantly fewer riders off-peak.

I think I'll send a TXPIA request for the hardcopy reports to try and substantiate that infact each officer could have handled one thousand passengers in their normal shift times.

Of course, if they move as fast verifying tickets as some MPD supervisors drive, maybe so.

Now, what is the rate of people who cheet on the EZ lanes and Westpark TR?

Also, I've been on the NYMTA subway and PATH, and have seen people jump the gates.  

There is a difference, in theory.

If you happen to be a typical homeless bum, panhandling, leering and acosting the tram riders, a citation and fine is meaningless.

However, if you are an ez-tag scofflaw, when they catch you, you could have the vehicle seized, and you likely can not re-register if there are fines outstanding, which is a significantly more severe penalty.

Threrfore, all drivers, including the poor, minority, elderly, and handicapped formerly bus transit dependent riders who never depended on the "Transit Backbone" tram or gave up on METREAUX, and rely on other transportation modes, can not afford to violate the toll road rules.

DominicMazoch said:  

"Now, what is the rate of people who cheet on the EZ lanes and Westpark TR?"

The EZ Tag lanes at least have the ease of controlling inpsections by officers as everyone has to exit at specific points. Two officers can manage it easily if needed.

As for the Westpark Toll Road, you can't go on it without being detected. A picture is taken of your license plate and they occasionally have officers sitting just past these detection points who are alerted almost instantaneously of a violator.

Also, I've been on the NYMTA subway and PATH, and have seen people jump the gates.

Having ridden Septa and the Phila subways many many times, it was very rare to se anyone jumping over gates. Again though, with controlled access, you also would have noticed that they can have one officer watching many gates and no one climbs over them.

Light rail as it is designed here lacks any real controls other than a lot of officers and costly overhead.

Dear Readers,

While reading or participating in this forum, please consider the language that you are being exposed to. Are you simply reading another's opinion, or are you being exposed to verbal abuse?

For example:

A reference to METRO as "Metreaux" might be considered derogatory (tending to lessen the merit or reputation of a person or thing).

A reference to light rail as a tram (a street car) might be considered pejorative (disparaging or belittling).

A reference to "..the poor, minority, elderly, and handicapped formerly bus transit dependent riders who never depended on the 'Transit Backbone' tram or gave up on 'METREAUX..'", might be considered demagoguery (rhetoric used to appeal to the prejudices and emotions of the populace).

Referring to the Homeless as "bum, panhandling, leering and acosting the tram riders" might be considered generalization (a proposition asserting something to be true either of all members of a certain class or of an indefinite part of that class).

Understanding implied meaning behind the language of others can help us to tell the difference between opinion and abuse.

Claire said:  

"While reading or participating in this forum, please consider the language that you are being exposed to. Are you simply reading another's opinion, or are you being exposed to verbal abuse?"

Unfortunately "Claire" this is not as easy as one would desire.

Fortunately for us, we are indeed a very diverse and complex species and some are articulate, some are grammatically correct and many (self included) tend not to be, mostly though, we share a desire to argue and discuss things that impact us all.

"A reference to METRO as "Metreaux" might be considered derogatory (tending to lessen the merit or reputation of a person or thing)."

In some eyes perhaps. When I first saw it used, I immediately saw that it was a way of conveying the tendancy towards the socialist tendancy's that one easily can see in government.

I tend to side with this comparison if the author is using it in this manner. Based on some of my own dealings with Metro, I tend to side with the thought that it is an authoritarian non-elected splinter of the Mayor (whomever it might be at the time.

"A reference to light rail as a tram (a street car) might be considered pejorative (disparaging or belittling)."

Tram has been used FAR longer than light rail and is indeed a far more correct word to use for the rail design used in most cities. Ours will be 95% in-the-street and moves at an average speed of roughly 14-16 mph.

Pro "light rail" advocates will define light rail as far faster that trams and able to be coupled together. This is folly as a trolley designer could quite easily make a tram travel at higher speeds and add in coupling.

In fact, tram is used in Europe as a standard term for what some think we should call 'light rail'.

Here is just one of many;

http://www.nic.funet.fi/index/railways/Germany/trams/rsag_715.jpg

It's a tram but sure looks like a MetroRail doesn't it?

Belittlement is when we are sold a product as 'rapid' transit that will reduce congestion.

All it does is replace existing bus service that stopped at every corner with trams that stop far less times and call it faster serve. Perhaps Metro could have simply started by having all of their buses go to the same distance between stops and the buses would have been far faster.

Imagine bus service on Westheimer where you only have 15 stops between Hwy 6 and the Galleria? How many stops are there now?

The tram design removes two plus lanes of roadway and thuis forces existing users to find another lane to drive in, compounding the already congested streets.

Using the term "light rail" is disparaging to a lot of people also.

"A reference to "..the poor, minority, elderly, and handicapped formerly bus transit dependent riders who never depended on the 'Transit Backbone' tram or gave up on 'METREAUX..'", might be considered demagoguery (rhetoric used to appeal to the prejudices and emotions of the populace)."

I would disagree as this tends to not look at the fundamental purpose of a transit authority which many believe should be to provide necessary service for those who need transportation.

For the handicapped it has been done with MetroLift and quite well with door to door service.

"Referring to the Homeless as "bum, panhandling, leering and acosting the tram riders" might be considered generalization (a proposition asserting something to be true either of all members of a certain class or of an indefinite part of that class)."

I guess you have not been exposed to the majority of the homeless who do indeed to panhandle with impunity on street corners even though we have laws to stop it.

I have not seen the use of acosting but it may refer to the same meaning as panhandling.

"Understanding implied meaning behind the language of others can help us to tell the difference between opinion and abuse."

Agreed. But just because someone uses terms that are colder or more to the point does not reduce them to anything less than proper use of English.

Personally, I think your comments would have been much clearer if you ahsd simply said "Tom Bazan's words" as a preface.

At least he does not come in here without people knowing who he is.

Others come in here without any profile or proof of who they are and waht they represent.

I for one, love debate and discusssion.

Don Gallagher

Mr. Gallagher,

I do use colorful and thought provoking terms, only to try and make the point.

Some claim they are offended when I use the "lemming" term, so I have tried to limit that so as not to offend the more thin-skinned, pro-urban rail Lemmings.

Nevertheless, maybe it is far better when something is NOT mentioned.  As in an OP-ED published today.

------

Link: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/5211168.html

------

It truly is a reason to celebrate!  I read the OP-ED twice just to be sure.

No, not the baloney about the "Super-Sized" White Elephant, the GRB CC.  Rather, for the first time, we have thee top official who runs the Downtown Management District specifically NOT mention the boondoggle Utopian tram, while listing all that is officially pronounced "good" with the Central Business District.  This is a significant and momentous occasion!

One shouldn't blame him for wanting to forget about all the "challenges" the METRORail has created for his taxpayer-funded management district.

It is just a matter of time before the entities which comprise METRO realize that the unsafe, unreliable, and underutilized tram costs too much, and actually contributes to congestion throughout the service area.  The taxpayer money wasted on the tram could be better spent improving critical bus service to the poor, minority, elderly, and handicapped bus transit dependent riders, as well as other desperately needed General Mobility projects.

Just this week, it was reported in this same newspaper that METRO appears to be hoarding at least $60 million of the "Windfall" sales tax revenue, likely for more speculative land purchases and for the expansion of a wasteful urban rail empire, thereby, shortchanging all of us.

I use EZ tag myself, which means I do use the HCTRA as needed.  I do understand the camera system.  But still, even with all that, what percentage of people "run the EZ Tag Lanes/West Park"?   Drum roll...answer....?

DominicMazoch said:  

"I use EZ tag myself, which means I do use the HCTRA as needed.  I do understand the camera system.  But still, even with all that, what percentage of people "run the EZ Tag Lanes/West Park"?   Drum roll...answer....?"

LOL, I don't play the drums but I do have a contact at HCTRA and will ask her.

What they do have though is a picture of the tag ofe very one who either didn't have an EZ Tag or those who'se card has expired or the sensor is bad. I have had my current cards for a long time now and last time they sent a notice to get them replaced when they switched to the new improved design.

I can tell you though that they even have an online payment center for those who get letters of a violation. No police really needed other than to catch repeat offenders whom they know will be traveling at a certain time of day.

My data is old now but an example of the ridership and revenue estimates for Dec-2005 shows

Mainlane           2,162,846

Fondren exit         105,854

Gessner exit         126,533

Post Oak exit        129,314

Westpark exit        360,603

State Hwy exit       628,236

The spreadsheet I was given does not specify revenue and I am to assume that Mainlane includes the two mainlane toll points.

Based on today's rates and old vehicle numbers, they are bringing in roughly $2,704,000 per month JUST for the Mainlane tolls and JUST if every vehicle is 2-axles. The other exit entry tolls bring in another $274,800 per month for a very rough total of $3 Million per month in revenue for a 12 mile roadway.

What is Metro's revenue for the tram line and can they provide a factual sheet of fare cheaters?

Metro, in the same month, Dec-2005 had 730,290 'reported' boardings. "IF", every one was not a transfer and (far from actual though) and everyone was a $1.00 fare (again, doubtful as many passes are discounted or free) they would have $730,000 roughly per month for a 7.5 mile line.

Metros' requires a lot of personel to operate and control as well as manage cheats. The EZTag is operated with perhaps two police vehicles and a small staff to check the scanners and cheats.

MetroRail brings in roughly $100,000 per mile per month in revenue (again a very high number).

Westpark EZTag brings in $250,000 per mile (and this number is most likely too low).

Don G,

Below are the actual numbers METRO sent to the National Transit database for FY 2004, FY2005, and FY2006:

Revenue (TVM revenue appears the only accurate measure of revenue since SVC's and Monthly passes can not be deducted at time of boarding)

              FY2004          FY2005         FY2006*

NTD Report    $1,486,925     $1,962,151     $3,518,911

TXPIA TVM     $1,487,925     $1,957,638     $1,930,130

Difference:  -$    1,000    +$    4,513    +$1,588,781

* Note:  Appears METRO reported $1,000,000 ground lease from Transwestern for the Smith-Lands TOD as METRORail income to NTD.

+++++++++

The monthly revenue per mile for the tram calculates to $22,029 in FY2004 (9-months); $21,802 for FY2005; and, $27,988 for FY2006 (excluding the ground lease).  It is clear the Hurricane Katrina influx boosted the numbers.

I've witnessed several "ticket checks" by METRO police, and only rarely have I seen anyone fail to produce a ticket, transfer, monthly pass, or what have you. How closely the officers are checking the validity of these items is another matter, though; none of them have ever asked to see the expiration date on my monthly pass, for example.

I've read this particular entry several times now, and I'm still unsure if I'm satisfied with the answer.

I've had an officer check the expiration date on my pass.  I've also seen people pulled off the train and cited for not having a pass.

I once witnessed another guy in handcuffs - according to the people boarding the train at Wheeler station he was cited for being on the platform without a valid fare item.  I'm not sure how the situation escalated to the point of handcuffing, but something serious went down.

I'm sure it will make Royko feel better when I note that the handcuffed man appeared to fit the description of a "typical homeless bum, panhandling, leering and acosting the tram riders"

Again, again I say to you, we could save precious tax money, which could be better spent on general mobility projects, by not building a wasteful urban rail empire for a few bureaucrats who seem to be playing Monopoly with taxpayer resources, and simply leasing a new BMW for every rider, including the unfortunate chap who was arrested.

Royko, I'm not especially happy to waste taxpayer's money but why not target the Texas DOT. Look at all the billions of dollars they've wasted building more and more highways. As soon as one highway fills up they just dream up another. They're destroying the whole state little by litle. There's hardly anyplace you can go anymore without hearing the roar of cars and trucks. The Metro is small time compared to the DOT. Of course this is called progress by the lobbyists.

don,

If you feel as passionately about TXDOT waste, fraud, and abuse, go after them.  I will not discourage you.

I have my hands full trying to do what I can to try and cajole this set of unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats away from an ill-devised rail-centric policy that punishes the poor, minority, elderly, and handicapped bus transit dependent riders throughout the service area.

Rokyo:

     You?  Having your hands full?  Doing WHAT?!  NOTHING!!  I'll have to agree with don on this.  Why not go after other people who would need to use your "Fort Knox" money to handle things for us citizens around here, huh?  Explain that!

Gee Ms. Sit I just had to file an objection with the TXOAG regarding the METREAUX request to shield all information from the public.  Seems the legal dept wants to use the Dept. of Homeland Security as the excuse to hide the data from disclosure.

How is the disclosure of fare compliance records covered by Homeland Security?

Heck, the tram platforms and vehicles are sitting ducks for any terrorist act, who's kidiing who?

Where is this "Transparency" the agency boasts about?

METRO is merely engaged in another delaying tactic, one which they have tried a number of times before.

Two months ago, I prevailed on the last request, AGAIN!

Since this matter was reported in METRO’s blog, and I merely wish to independently verify this report and compiled data released by the agency, why must the supporting data be hidden from verification?

Recently, a local undercover TV reporter was unable to substantiate a different blog posting which involved the boardings of METRO officials on the tram.

Further, there was a recent report that METRO appears to be hoarding General Mobility Program funds, and by the Houston Mayor’s own words to me at the City Council meeting was that he had been unable to reconcile METRO’s financial statements when he was first elected.

If the public can not verify the grandiose claims, reports, and statistics being released by METREAUX, it would be impossible for anyone to monitor this unelected and seemingly unaccountable bureaucracy which operates in perpetuity from an uninterruptible geyser of sales tax revenue.

To Don G:

As far as MetroLift goes, it is obvious you don't use the service or use it infrequently.  I used it as our only source of transportation for the last year and a half of my husbands life.  It is a farce.  Poorly organized and poorly staffed (some drivers and most supervisors).  Scheduling was a nightmare compared only to the proverbial "Chinese Water Torture".  Trust me, MetroLift is run no better than Metro.