Good idea or bad idea?

[Boris Godunov]

Well, according to the NYC Transit Authority 2001 Consolidated Statement of Operations, their total operating revenues were $2.3 billion, out of a total $6.3 billion in revenues. However, in 2000, the total revenues were $4.3 billion and total operating revenues were $2.3 billion still. So that's over 50% of the budget. The extra $2 billion for 2001 came from a capital campaign. You take that out of the equation, passenger revenues account for more than subsidies.

[Zkribbler]

Good idea. But it probably won't work.

Good idea, because of the things you said. Lesser traffic and better air. Although some point out that many people won't get out of their cars, many others will.

The working poor--who will be the major beneficiaries of this system--are the people most likely to spend any newly acquired monies. So, this money will be pumped right back into the system, resulting in a boon to the economy. Plus, the working poor will be able to afford a slightly better life style.

Another source of funding would be a parking tax on downtown parking lots. The ol' carrot-and-stick.

The reason it probably won't work is the start-up costs. Even with your revenues and my parking tax, it still won't be enough and the general fund would have to be tapped into. That means a tax increase. And that won't be popular.

[orange]

I don't think the expenses would be SO much that a little government surplus money use, deficit spending, or slight tax hike would be a problem