Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

Mike81890 t1_j6x81tx wrote

I'll put my own personal spin on this to steal your visibility: If I were single issue it would be public transit: more, cleaner, safer.

106

AbsentEmpire t1_j6yk2gx wrote

The fact that we have so many people in the city who have to use SEPTA because they have no other choice, in addition to the people who use it as an alternative to driving for whatever reason they have, should make this a major campaign issue, yet it's not even given lip service most of the time.

It's so frustrating to see candidates constantly kneeling to the wants of the car lobby, despite the reality that it is mathematically impossible to accommodate 100% car usage in the city.

36

Fattom23 OP t1_j6x985t wrote

I hear you, but transit is complicated. I ride it because I like it, but recognize that other people won't until it's more convenient than driving (people are self-interested, you know). As long as people can just do what they want with their cars, it will always be more convenient to drive and transit ridership will be depressed. If people get out of their cars, they ride SEPTA. When people ride SEPTA, it improves. So, while I support direct efforts to clean and police SEPTA, I feel enforcing the laws on cars will actually have a bigger positive impact on SEPTA.

23

rovinchick t1_j71wk8l wrote

A few parking tickets (which is what it sounds like you want with the cop example on your OP) isn't going to make people switch from driving to SEPTA. It also won't make people stop driving altogether. Some of us rely on our cars to get to work, because there is no transit nearby or several transfers and 2 hours to get to work versus a 30-minute Drive will never be appealing. It's survival, not self-interest, and when you have kids it's a matter of caring for other people, because I have yet to find a daycare open past 6p.

0

CheapBoxOWine t1_j6xqhvo wrote

The last time I was on the el, and this was pre-pandemic (so I hear it's only gotten worse) a lady intentionally hit everyone with her child's stroller (child in it) getting off the train and spit in my ear. So I'm fine with being self-interested.

−1