High fuel prices, the sluggish economy and concerns for the environment have more and more people taking the bus these days.

Skagit Transit had a 24 percent increase in overall passenger trips between January and July of this year compared to the same months in 2007.

Because of that increased ridership, the county transit system is looking at more ways it can serve its passengers — and deal with the high fuel prices.

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Raising fares might be an idea.

Oh hell no, let’s increase the sales tax and make a bunch of people who never ride the bus pay for it. (please note dripping sarcasm)

The board has discussed raising the fares and that’s a fair thing to ask while asking for a tax increase. I’m not a bus rider, but I support public transit because it is good for our community. There are a lot of people that depend on it because they are unable to drive. There are even more people who ride because it’s economical. What does it do for me you ask? It eases road congestion, better for the environment and it actually eased the gas woes. One of the reasons the gas prices have gone down is because demand has gone down. As a nation we are using public transit more, which is the direction we need to go. It works and the more people use it the more it can be tailored to fit our needs and perhaps I won’t be one of those who are dependant on my car. 2 cents on a 10 dollar purchase isn’t going to blow my budget.

“What does it do for me you ask? It eases road congestion...”

You’ve obviously never been caught in the traffic jam created by a SKAT bus stopping wherever they want along Burlington Blvd. or Riverside Dr. and blocking an entire lane of traffic.

Yeah, hate it when that happens. I’ve found that staying out of that lane until I have to make my right hand turn is a pretty good fix. If I do get stuck behind a bus while they’re loading or unloading passengers it’s usually less than 3 minutes, that is only if a driver in the left hand lane doesn’t show a little mercy and let me change lanes. A bus stopped in a bus zone really doesn’t constitute congestion.

Maybe another 2 cents of tax on a ten dollar purchase won’t “blow your budget”.  Mine either.  But, that’s exactly what’s been said about every other little tax nibble that we’ve been bitten with over the years and I’m kind of long in the tooth so I’m fairly well chewed up.

To put things into perspective, let’s consider the sales tax Anacortes collects.  For 2008, their budget projects Anacortes will collect $3,359,000.  First, note that that’s less than the five million bucks SKAT would collect if the additional 2% sales tax is approved.  So a bus line would get more sales tax money than the second-largest city in the county.  Next, note that of the current 8% total rate, or 8 cents of tax on a dollar spent, 6.5% goes to the State, 1.0% to the City and 0.5% to the County. But, the City has to give 15% of its 1% share to County, and an approximate .01% administrative charge is kept by the State, so the City actually receives a net of .840%.

So, maybe another 2% is a small bite but so, perhaps, is one cut in the proverbial “death of 1,000 cuts”.

Let the people who ride the bus pay for the bus.  $0.75 to $1.00--give me a break, that’s still ridiculously cheap.  SKAT should pass along more of the actual costs of operating the buses on to the people who use them.  I don’t use public transportation and don’t think I should pay higher taxes for other peoples’ rides.  Lower taxes, let us all keep more of our own money so we can pay to transport ourselves in the way we see fit.  We are sold on all of these different levies, bonds, taxes, fees, etc on the idea that “it’s just a little bit” but it all adds up.  An extra $100 on your property taxes for schools, an extra $15.00 on your vehicle registration, an extra 2 cents...it all adds up!  Enough is enough.

Public transportation is nothing but another social program disguised as an environmental issue.  Everybody pays for the transportation of those who can’t afford an automobile.  No damn different than public housing, public assistance, etc.

In the big cities public transportation makes sense because there’s not near enough parking in the downtown core to accommodate everybody’s automobile.  Around here it’s not necessary at all and its uselessness is demonstrated by the fact that most of the buses are running around with only a few riders; some with no riders at all.

Frankly, having observed some of the clientele on SKAT buses (admitidly, not from the seat of a bus, but from being behind them in traffic), I would be a little concerned for my safety.  Not to paint with too broad a brush but a lot (BUT NOT ALL) of the riders look a little dodgy.  And isn’t it nice that they have a cheap ride all over the county just in the event they want to case homes to burglarize, steal mail, pawn stolen property, buy meth…

bzz_bzz - 21 August 2008 05:46 PM

Frankly, having observed some of the clientele on SKAT buses (admitidly, not from the seat of a bus, but from being behind them in traffic), I would be a little concerned for my safety.  Not to paint with too broad a brush but a lot (BUT NOT ALL) of the riders look a little dodgy.  And isn’t it nice that they have a cheap ride all over the county just in the event they want to case homes to burglarize, steal mail, pawn stolen property, buy meth…

Just trying to follow your logic here…

These “dodgy” bus riders are going to be casing homes so they can burglarize those homes and use public transportation as their getaway vehicle?  Then *after* burglarizing those homes they’re going to get *back on* public transportation with someone’s big-screen TV and stereo and shotguns to catch a ride to the pawn shop?

I don’t know...something doesn’t seem quite right with that picture (in my opinion, at least).  Maybe you can clarify?

The control knob needed to clarify this picture is in your own head.

Note I said “case homes to burglarize,” not “burglarize.” My point was that the SKAT bus looks as though it mobilizes people that possibly would be better off at home.  Or at least the rest of us would be better off if they were at home.

bzz_bzz - 22 August 2008 03:40 AM

Note I said “case homes to burglarize,” not “burglarize.” My point was that the SKAT bus looks as though it mobilizes people that possibly would be better off at home.  Or at least the rest of us would be better off if they were at home.

Yes, that is what you said. 

But, from my point of view, it just stands to reason that if they have to take a bus to case homes to burglarize (how lame is *that*?), then they don’t likely have transportation to get to the homes they cased before they burglarized them, n’cest pas?

Just trying to follow your line of reasoning to a logical conclusion… ;-)

Give it up.  “Logical conclusion” isn’t in your job description.”

Maybe they catch a ride with their loser buddy to actually burglarize the house but they already know which houses are worth hitting because they checked it out earlier.  But do you get my point?  Maybe I’m taking it too far with the burglary business but I’m simply trying to say that a) I oppose subsidizing anybody’s transportation because that leaves me with less of my own money to transport myself and my family and b) I really oppose subsidizing transportation for people who may be up to no good.

This is to bzz bzz...So you say they ‘May be up to no good”, MAY being the key word here. You are making assumptions that you know nothing about. There are ALOT of individuals that use transit to get to work or to the store.  I was on the bus recently and we picked up woman in a wheelchair. I wonder what she was up to. What about the person that without public transportation would not be able to get to job so she would have to stay home and collect welfare or do you not mind paying for that.  I am just looking for the logic here.

bzz_bzz - 22 August 2008 01:08 PM

Maybe they catch a ride with their loser buddy to actually burglarize the house but they already know which houses are worth hitting because they checked it out earlier.  But do you get my point?  Maybe I’m taking it too far with the burglary business but I’m simply trying to say that a) I oppose subsidizing anybody’s transportation because that leaves me with less of my own money to transport myself and my family and b) I really oppose subsidizing transportation for people who may be up to no good.

I’m sorry bzz, but like your previous post on this, your argument is lacking.  Basically what you are saying is that you don’t want to subsidize transportation for people you see as less worthy than you.

There’s an old saying that goes something like:  “There but for the grace of God go you or I”.  That’s a paraphrase of the original, but hopefully you get the point.

It’s a shame that people like bzz_bzz have this idea that public transit is used by the scum of society. If you had ever set foot on a bus in Skagit County you would know that it is mainly used by those who cannot afford to drive and those who are unable to drive because they are disabled or too young. Many people also use the bus system as a way to commute to and from work without having to pay ridiculous gas prices, fight through traffic or worry about parking. By riding the bus not only are these things avoided but bus riders don’t have to worry about flat tires or car theft.
Unfortunately the bus system of Skagit County isn’t that great at the moment. Looking at the bus system of Whatcom County gives a better example of what a well planned bus system can do for a community and I’m glad to hear SKAT would like to make improvements.
I myself ride the bus to get to and from work which is easy to do at certain times during the week but with extended times and Sunday services I would never have to worry about trying to get a ride from a friend. I am old enough to drive but I have chosen not to because even if I had a car it would be difficult for me to afford gas and insurance.
I also know a lot of people (Boeing employees and people employed in Whatcom County (and students attending Western) who use the County Connector buses to get around. Without these many people would have to relocate. And I believe that having more frequent routes that run later and on Sundays will encourage those who should not be driving to ride the bus instead. The road could use a few less road ragers/bad drivers/chronic cell phone chatters.
So before you judge those who ride the bus as being less valuable to society perhaps you should find out why they are riding the bus and where they are going.
I think those who rely on the bus deserve a better system than they currently have.