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Monday, 30 August 2010 08:29


Looking at the total income at HRT, 22% is from fares, 19.5% from the federal government (us), 12.4% from the State (us) and 24.5% from the localities (us).  So, we not only pay locally, but we pay from our federal and state taxes.

This is even more alarming in that in over the last 5 years, the costs have increased an average of 8% per year with fares remaining flat and service increasing only minimally.  Has everyone in Virginia Beach had an average income increase of 8% annually over the last 5 years?  The cost increases were mainly due to salaries and benefits (they are union workers), 53% of the cost increases.

Add to this a CEO whose salary is more than the President of the United States ($480,000),  the mindset that permitted the previous COE was allowed to stay at home for a year and do nothing for over $100,000 annually and not prosecuting two employees who are accused of stealing from the fare boxes (Virginia Beach finally had to press charges).  

Also, HRT had major cost overruns on the Norfolk Light Rail, has huge legal bills to improper taking of land, etc. and cannot provide a decent bus system for Virginia Beach.

Being a monopoly, HRT is not forced to be effective and efficient, as we have seen in SPSA (monopoly) that has some of the highest rates in the nation.

All this is very important because if Virginia Beach approves light rail, HRT will be managing the system.
Do you see any problem with this picture?

Ben Krause - Virginia Beach
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French Mackes  - A Bus Driver's Perspective |199.111.113.133 |08-30-2010 10:04:31
Thanks, Ben, for providing that helpful information. Good work!

HRT is clearly poorly managed and inept. Why would any sane rational person want to further expand HRT? Oppose Beach light rail development!

Currently, I have a valid current Virginia Commercial Driver's License (CDL) that authorizes me to drive buses (including passenger buses, school uses, buses with air brakes, etc.)

It is a good thing that I do not need to renew my Virginia CDL this week since due to the inefficiency of VITA many cannot currently renew their driver's licenses.

As a licensed Virginia bus driver, I call for abolition of both HRT and VITA.

Is "efficient government" an oxymoron?

French Mackes
www.votefrench.com
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Wally Erb  - Ask the bus riders |68.10.230.6 |08-30-2010 11:06:13
Seems like even that isn't enough. The bus riders themselves are calling for a fare increase so they can get better service. With light rail, expect bus service to get even worse.
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Henry Ryto  - Where Do I Start? |70.184.180.105 |08-30-2010 11:24:02
First, you were pushing buses as an alternative to LRT. Now you want to abolish service. Make up your mind! Second, if you believe only 4,336 residents ride the bus, I have some French Mackes political futures to sell you. Not only more, but residents of other cities riding in to staff Beach businesses. Third, HRT will provide all the service the City will pay for. The problem is the City hasn't.

You can't abolish HRT: Federal law requires we do mass transit as a condition for Federal highway dollars. The need is for all routes running at least 16 hours a day daily so the bus is a viable alternative for many more.

The size of the increase in local contribution has been HRT's unwillingness to raise fares while state aid has been cut.
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French Mackes  - Does "Every Man Have His Price"? |199.111.115.73 |08-30-2010 13:19:55
Their is an old saying that "Every Man Has His Price".

For what price would you promote corrupt un-need Beach Light Rail Development?

For Mike Barrett, a candid honest off-the-record reply might be "For a projected personal profit of at least one million USD" but don't hold your breath waiting to see him post that on any blog (or agree to debate anyone either).

For Henry Ryto, his reply might be "For one coupon for a free all you can eat buffet at CiCi's Pizza".

As for me, "NOT AT ANY PRICE"!

Henry, state's rights trump federal government's rights. The federal government can't DICTATE a darn thing to the states. Lincoln was wrong. Each state is a voluntary member of the USA. Each state retains a right to succeed from the USA. Succession from a USA controlled by Democrats is a good thing.

French Mackes
www.votefrench.com
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Ben Krause  - City does not lie |68.225.42.104 |08-30-2010 17:19:56
Henry, your beloved City staff provided the figure. You seem to want to make up a different figure. Sorry Henry!
I want HRT to do its job efficiently and effectively. You might want to look up those words since you no doubt have EVER managed much of anything. You should stick to simple things Henry.
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wally erb  - Squandered funds |68.10.230.6 |08-31-2010 07:20:14
It is quite evident that HRT's disclosed inefficiencies, lucrative bureaucratic salaries and perks under the leadership of the previous purloiner has been a blemish on public transportation. However, it should not dissuade us that there are ways to provided good quality public transportation at efficient rates.
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French Mackes  - End Game |199.111.115.73 |08-30-2010 13:29:09
Henry,

Am I for or against taxpayer funded HRT buses? Can you handle the truth?

Ideally, I support privately run buses (not paid for my government) providing bus services as needed to those who can pay the fares out of their OWN POCKET.

I oppose taxpayer funded light rail and buses.

If forced to choose between spending one billion USD of taxpayer money on un-needed Beach light rail or ten million USD of taxpayer money for HRT buses instead, I'd grimace and pick the option of wasting as little taxpayer money as possible.

Ideally, I'd like to see taxes reduced by over 50% (for starters) and un-needed government services also cut accordingly.

All government budgets should be balanced and all government should be paid off in full.

French Mackes
www.votefrench.com
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