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14 comments on The Value of Mass Transit

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PaulS on December 16, 2005 - 4:51pm Permalink | Subthread | Comments top
This illustrates a core problem with mass transit. Most of us can't get excused from going to work because there's a strike. And we can't even get unemployment if we get fired for failing to show up, since that's firing for cause.

It follows that as long as strikes are permitted - i.e. the state is unwilling to call out the National Guard to do the trivial job of driving the busses if necessary - most of us must be ready with another means of getting to our jobs. And once we do have another workable arrangement - normally a car, except in Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn - what's the use of the mass transit? We just pay heavy taxes as an availability charge for something that's not 100% available.

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Glenn on December 17, 2005 - 7:59pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
If there is a strike, I think traffic would be a nightmare, thus your workaround would probably be pretty awful and I think many people will realize then just how indispensible the mass transit system is to NYC. And while I don't think many employers will pay their employees I sincerely doubt many will be fired from their jobs for missing days during a strike.

Again, I don't want a strike, but it will be interesting to see how it plays out if there is one.

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tom deplume on December 18, 2005 - 1:01pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
How many years of bus driving experience do you have? I have 24 years experience. There are good reasons why the National Guard can't drive the buses. First the Feds require a Commercial Driver's License with an air brake and passenger rating. It takes several weeks to train new drivers which requires the assistance of experienced drivers who may be on strike. Half of driver trainees fail either the written or road tests on the first try. The feds require a medical certificate which some applicants fail. They must pass a manditory drug screening. Finally the New York National Guard might be in Iraq Like the Louisiana Guard was when Katrina hit.
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