Raise the Hammer

The reasons for the McMaster pass go a lot farther than the demands of "spoiled brat" (and yes, I take offense) students, who aren't, in any case, the program's biggest defenders. The last campus referendum on the matter didn't show too well, for reasons others have articulated.

The issue is housing. The student-slum situation in Westdale and Ainsliewood at the moment is nothing compared to what it would be if students didn't have bus passes, and same goes for traffic. And then there are the benefits to rental housing in downtown and beyond. Students in that context make great sense, because they are a rather reliable source of income for landlords, but aren't capable of paying the exorbitant rates which would otherwise lead to gentrification.

Anyone who thinks students are getting a free ride should check tuition rates - it's not like we haven't faced a gigantic claw-back as well. Education today is kinda like an (economic) suicide cult, with little other than the promise of prosperity after financial death keeping many of us going. These kids don't need car loans too.

And as for the 10/1A/5C service route, yes it's crowded (for the 3-4 buses immediately before a class starts, not so much the rest of the time), but what other route in Hamilton has buses showing up at 5-minute intervals at peak times? I actually wasn't able to get on one of the articulated beelines the other day from crowding (though getting people to completely move to the back is more often the issue), and wasn't able to catch the 5C that was also loading at the time, so was forced to wait 2 whole minutes for the 51 which then came ,and guess what, I got a seat. As someone who used to take the Aberdeen daily (20-40 minutes if you miss it), I'm more than willing to stand if it means I'll get there on time.

The U-Pass system should be expanded, not scrapped - to Mohawk and Columbia, and to any workplace that's willing to finance similar service upgrades. Why, in an age of declining riderships, are we seeking to shut down one of the few successful programs which is still packing buses? It doesn't take much, in the way of pocket change, to deter riders, if only for lack of correct pocket change. I almost never took the bus when it was $2.10, and would be even more loathe to do so now, but when it's "free" (pre-paid), it becomes really bloody convenient, and I take transit regularly (also cycling and walking, though). Why the fuck aren't we learning from this and tr
ying to implement it elsewhere in the city?