Muni Cuts Betray Promise of T.E.P.Fran Taylorbyline‚ May. 04‚ 2009Muni riders at community workshops of the Transit Effectiveness Project last year were reassured at every meeting that improving reliability would be the first step toward any changes. The TEP process involved tremendous effort in soliciting opinions, crunching data, and rejiggering routes, and the results promised a new beginning for Muni. Now, riders face a downward spiral, and the word reliability has been forgotten. Municipal Transportation Agency officials addressed a $129 million budget gap with a package of increased parking fees and fines, fare hikes of 33% to 50%, and service cuts. Approved on April 30, it now goes to the Board of Supervisors. No one disputes that Muni is in financial trouble or that much of the problem stems from the state’s abandonment of public transportation. It’s the agency’s willingness to stick it to riders that’s provoked outrage. |