One month down, 11 to go. Take that 2010!
Oh, and this shouldn’t need to be mentioned since it is February, but you really, really, really have to stop turning on your Christmas lights. If you want to leave them up to save time this December, I’m cool with that, but I don’t want to see them when I’m in your neighbourhood.
You know what else February brings with it? A glorious hike in transit fares. Of course you know that means service is increased by the same percentage.
No, really ETS, I know your secret motto is “Buy a car,” so I get where this is going. But let me be on the record as saying I’m not happy about it.
I don’t think the fare hike will cause violence, since idiots who would get rough with a transit driver probably don’t have the wherewithal to count to $2.75, and most rational people will just quietly stew. And then consider buying a car.
It’s too bad for those that can’t afford a vehicle though.
Health service providers to meet with minister over cuts
Organization launched to raise awareness for emergency workplace safety
Vaccine available for Dutch elm disease (For trees. You still have only to worry about H1N1.)
Nuclear, renewables options to coal
Liberal underdogs no closer to their day (I wonder if Alberta lefties and centrists will have to do something drastic…)
Isaiah is a baby in distress – not a martyr or political symbol
Albertans not keen on hybrids (Well, with the way our streets are cleared of snow, I’d opt for something larger too.)
Nurses may flee province (Doesn’t this always happen in provinces that cut health care?)
Legal battle looms over Lucy the elephant
I threw Metro’s story on the new art gallery (who knew?) in my video from the art gallery. (The great thing about the Art Gallery of Alberta being open is that all the resources poured into that story now go back into breaking down City Hall and the Legislature for you and me. Or whatever’s up with Brangelina.)
Esks open at home; play in Moncton in 2010 (We also host the Grey Cup this season.)
Edmonton transit bus catches fire (Maybe the engine overheated because the bus was so heavy, with all the fare change. Just a thought.)
Toyota outlines plan to fix recalled vehicles (Basically, you aim your car in the direction of Toyota dealership, gently apply the gas pedal, and it drives all the way there.)
Twitter fundraiser (#yeghaiti)
I thought the idea was to encourage riders not discourage them? I guess we can expect more traffic, pollution, and congestion as fewer Edmontonian’s leave the SUV in park. Let’s work on getting the service and ridership increased before we download more costs.
Let’s also work on putting some sort of reasonably priced weekend flex-pass together. All you can Ride Friday at Noon till Sunday at Midnight– it would cater to the party animals and the tourists who have few other options besides the ever-affordable-and-available Taxi’s. Munich, Toronto and other cities have something like this. I don’t know why we don’t. Going to watch the oilers? Going out for brunch? Had a couple, want to party-hop, and don’t want to drive? Flex pass.
Sigh. theedmontonian for Mayor in 2010.
Flex passes are a great idea!
Even a weekly pass could work. It could be cheaper than 10 tickets (now $22) but since it would be time sensitive the ETS would get their ridership.
Since the end of last week I’ve had a handful of conversations about transit being a chicken and egg proposition. I bet if the city went all out, in the most populated neighbourhoods, and people knew they’d have a ride within minutes of leaving their home ridership would jump. It could be a tough sell to people who rail against taxes for the sake of railing against taxes though.
Increased fares, not much difference in schedules and not much will change.
Plus, it stinks that I pay for transit in taxes AND in fares. I don’t see drivers paying for new roads/road maintenance twice.