I was riding the 182 back from a public meeting in Colonie last night after dark. No less than 3 people boarding the bus through Arbor Hill’s rougher neighborhood didn’t pay their fare. They had their excuses – app didn’t work, didn’t have exact or enough change, they were broke. The driver just waved them on, probably not wanting to get knifed, assaulted or cause unnecessary disruption. It’s the ghetto.
To be fair, we’ve all had similar issues – the app is far from perfect, the card doesn’t auto renew properly, you dropped your dime somewhere, you forgot to ask for a transfer when boarding the bus back when those were a thing. But you know probably with the high number of non payment of fares through Arbor Hill it’s likely that not all of them were accidental or equipment failures. Seems kind of unfair after you’ve paid your fare.
That said, I don’t agree with necessarily a crack down on fare evasion. How do determine legitimate vs non legitimate non payment of fares? I don’t think drivers should argue with passengers and risk getting assaulted over non payment or stop the bus and await for the police to arrive and sort out the ordeal, especially when some non payment may be legitimate. Keeping the bus schedule is more important as people have connecting buses and jobs to get to. And it’s not like even fares are a big revenue source for the authority – it’s only about a 1/5th or less of revenue – the rest is taxes and government grants that keep the authority afloat.
I think the do think that the solution is to continue to adopt more universal access programs where employers – often of lower income employees – pay a fee to CDTA in exchange for allowing employees to ride the bus for free by tapping their card. Which is great for those employees who work for such employers, assuming they haven’t misplaced their cards or there isn’t a bug in the system.
But like private health insurance, too many people are left out. The unemployed and seniors don’t get Universal Access. Many don’t get this benefit from college or work — I do wish my employer participated. It’s why I support making all buses fare free, avoiding the hassles and delays of fare payments – and increasing the focus on moving the buses down the road and getting people to their destination over tiny, obnoxious little nuisance fares.
In recent times, an unexpected apprehension has taken hold of me—the unwarranted fear of placing my new mountain bike onto the CDTA bike rack and embracing the convenience of utilizing the bikable bus option. It’s noteworthy that all CDTA buses are equipped with bike racks; however, uncertainty loomed over whether my mountain bike, with its broader tires, would securely fit the rack. My doubts were quickly dispelled, and a delightful revelation unfolded when I embarked on the Nature Bus journey last Saturday.
Amid my concerns, a nagging worry persisted—that my prized bicycle might meet an untimely fate during transit, whether falling off the bus or succumbing to potential damage. Yet, upon closer examination, this fear seems rather irrational. While one can stumble upon online horror stories, employing common sense and ensuring a secure attachment of the bike to the rack renders such concerns negligible. Admittedly, the improbable could occur: the bike rack might fail, the bus might collide with another vehicle, or other unforeseen mishaps could transpire. Nevertheless, when evaluated against the backdrop of its benefits, the associated risks appear relatively minor. Despite my affection for my bicycle, its replaceability and the odds of misfortune seem to place my concerns in perspective.
The amalgamation of the bus and the bike, a seemingly simple concept, presents an extraordinary combination of advantages. This symbiotic relationship permits me to commute to work without apprehension, even on days plagued by impending rain or sweltering humidity later in the day. Furthermore, it empowers me to embark on a two-part journey—part cycling and part bus ride—crucial especially as my workplace relocates to a suburban setting, necessitating shuttle or bus transfers. The bicycle emerges as a rapid solution to such transfers, rendering the transition seamless. Moreover, as daylight diminishes come November, and evenings are cloaked in darkness, this dynamic duo continues to prove invaluable. Cycling to work in the morning remains an option, with the convenience of taking the bus during dark evenings, knowing my bicycle is safely ensconced upfront.
In conclusion, my unfounded anxieties surrounding the integration of my mountain bike and the CDTA bus system have been replaced with a newfound appreciation for their harmonious synergy. The initial fears were eclipsed by the realization of the system’s practicality, coupled with the insignificance of the associated risks. The bike-bus combination not only defies the elements and geographic constraints but also offers an optimal solution for various commuting scenarios. It encapsulates the idea that embracing innovation, even in mundane aspects of life, can lead to unforeseen conveniences and freedoms.
With remote work ending for most state employees, myself included, and schools going fully back to inperson, I was sure that they would restore full bus service during rush hours, bringing back the 15 or 20 minutes service to CDTA Route 18 and restoring the express Route 719.
But it didn’t happen.
Maybe the authority is taking a wait and see approach come next week and see how truly much passengers return come September. Some customers after all might be uncomfortable riding the bus at this point with Delta, and are driving to work. Other riders might have tragically secumb to the virus. A few might still have the remote option although that seems few and far apart for students and state workers.
Its hard to say. They did bring back the school and college shuttles but no other changes to service levels. So I guess there were some changes but no big ones for sure.
