»MUNI II: Fiscal boogaloo

You've got a small car? Perhaps even a fuel-efficient model? Contra Costa County sez 'Bollocks' to you. Meanwhile, San Francisco's MUNI has declared a second fiscal emergency, and prepares for service cuts, another fare increase (the base fare increased 25% in September 2003).

I am writing to MUNI's Michael Burns, the Board of Supervisors (who oversee MUNI's authority to institute fare increases and service cuts), my Supervisor (incoming: Ross Mirkarimi; outgoing: Matt Gonzalez), and the Mayor's office with my recommendation that the city impose new vehicle fees, increase downtown parking rates, and otherwise make life difficult for private drivers during commercial hours.

Some service cuts to MUNI, especially in older, neighbourhood lines, may be inevitable; however, a second fare increase will only further weaken our public-transit infrastucture. For crying out loud! This happens for want of, what, $60 million? Transportation for a Liveable City has posted their recommendations.

The economist Charles Komanoff, writing in today's NYT, says,

Getting the United States off oil and other fossil fuels is nothing like the Apollo program. No rocket science or new technology is needed. What's missing is the political will to internalize the huge social costs of energy use in the prices of fuels and electricity through fuel taxes.

We know how to make windmills and bicycles, compact cities and compact fluorescents. Choosing them instead of gas-guzzlers and sprawl development requires market incentives that only higher energy prices can create.