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From: "Tom
Bazan" <tbazan@houston.rr.com>
To: <viewpoints@chron.com>
Cc: "Wall, Lucas" <Lucas.Wall@chron.com>,
"Paula J. Alexander" <PA04@ridemetro.org>,
<paul_bettencourt@co.harris.tx.us>, <newsdesk@eldiausa.com>,
<michael.moore@cityofhouston.net>, <judge_eckels@co.harris.tx.us>,
<jcolley@bizjournals.com>, <houstonreview@hotmail.com>,
<edd@ksevradio.com>, <chrisbaker@clearchannel.com>,
<bballeza@kprc.com>, <11listens@khou.com>, <aframnews@pdq.net>,
"Alan Clark" <alan.clark@h-gac.com>
Subject: Comments
on the METRO Story of July 1, 2004
Date: Thu,
1 Jul 2004 07:59:24 -0500
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2656903
****************
July 1, 2004,
12:05AM
MetroRail
ridership rises in June
Preliminary numbers indicate daily passengers nearly double May's
By LUCAS WALL
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
***********
EXCERPT:
Metro is trying
to lure more riders by improving the system. Most rail stations,
only open for six months, already are being renovated to make
ticket vending machines easier to use. Crews are turning the
machines toward the inside of the platforms to reduce glare on
the screens and to keep ticket buyers dry when it rains.
++++++++++
Bazan: Taxpayers paid $500,000.00
for platforms which were designed by experts oblivious to the
fact that Houston experiences an average of 135 thunder storm
days per year. It is clear that they put the Ticket Vending Machines
(TVM's) on the platforms as an afterthought as METRORail shows
no interest in "fare box revenue." (See excerpt below)
----------------
EXCERPT:
Other issues
linger. Metro has not scheduled a launch date for the "smart
card" system, a method of paying fares with a special plastic
card that had been scheduled to be available when the line opened.
========================
EXCERPT:
The change
requires the removal of one seat from three-seat benches near
the machines.
"We felt
it was better to give up some seats on the platform in favor
of better weather protection for the vending machines,"
Connaughton said.
++++++++++++++++++++
Bazan: METRO crows at an
artificially induced increase in ridership, yet is slashing seating
by 1/3 at platforms. Just herding the "Sheeple."
I rate the
METRORail "Transit Backbone" Tram AAA+ = Absolute,
Abject, Absurd Failure and Waste of precious taxpayer resources.
METRO rushed
to submit an application to the FTA for billions of federal taxpayer
dollars so that they can start their version of Boston's "Big
Dig" to cobble a subway.
Tom Bazan
P.O. Box 2786
Houston, TX 77252
832.673.0018
BAZAN, a long-time
real estate broker, appraiser and environmental consultant, is
the Independent Candidate for the 18th Congressional District
of Texas, running to replace Sheila Jackson-Lee
www.BazanForCongress.com
**************
Original online article:
July 1, 2004,
12:05AM
MetroRail ridership rises in June
Preliminary numbers
indicate daily passengers nearly double May's
By LUCAS WALL
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
**************
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