IMPROVING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: #381

Like so many other things in our world, the private sector can and will do a much better job with “public transportation” than governments do. Presently most of those public, non-profit organizations receive subsidies from our tax dollars which, in most instances, should be unnecessary. Of course, taxi cab companies and companies like Uber and Lyft do not receive any subsidies, but mostly are flourishing. Why? Because they compete for customers so they are more flexible and responsive. For example, private businesses know that if a 12 to 15-passenger van that gets 15 mpg will do the job, that is what they use. But subsidized organizations, who know they will be supported regardless of whether they turn a profit or not, frequently use large coach buses that get five mpg and mostly travel with many empty seats. Some cities (graciously) allow ride-sharing jitneys, dollar vans or gypsy cabs that are flexible and can be hailed by passengers wherever they are operating, and they are doing fine. These are good ideas, and should be universally adopted.

But what about rural areas where the operators would lose money based upon low ridership? The answer to that is to provide bonuses in rural areas to the company for each route they run. This would be based upon a public policy decision that it is a positive thing for society to assist the needs of those people. And we all would know quite precisely what “bang we are getting for our buck.” The more we decide this should be encouraged, the higher the bonuses would be. This approach could also be utilized to encourage private airlines to fly to smaller destinations, if that was felt to be in the public interest. But otherwise, get the government out of this business, and things will be much better!

(And while we’re at it, let’s synchronize our traffic signals, which will substantially increase gasoline mileage and reduce air pollution and wasted driving time!)

Quote for the week: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Mark Twain

And please join us this coming Thursday evening at 6:30 at the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda for our Introduction of “Becoming America: America is a Perfect Idea; the United States of America is a Work in Progress!” No tickets required.