Comments on: Why not free? http://dc.metblogs.com/2007/07/31/why-not-free/ Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:33:14 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Don http://dc.metblogs.com/2007/07/31/why-not-free/comment-page-1/#comment-10439 Don Tue, 31 Jul 2007 19:47:23 +0000 http://dc.metblogs.com/2007/07/31/why-not-free/#comment-10439 Sure Dianne, and a lot of places offer that - it's a nice addition to a compensation package. The Fed does it at well, though the issuing of metro checks has led to some reselling scandals of late. I'm more thinking of this as a mechanism to do two things. One, promote mass transit use in a new way and presumably reap the benefit of an economy of scale. Two, recognize the fact that we've got a big indirect/hidden cost to us as a society from people driving. It's great that we have employers encouraging people the way your employer does but I think we as a region need to address the matter in some unique ways if we're going to make life tolerable for everyone. Sure Dianne, and a lot of places offer that – it’s a nice addition to a compensation package. The Fed does it at well, though the issuing of metro checks has led to some reselling scandals of late.

I’m more thinking of this as a mechanism to do two things. One, promote mass transit use in a new way and presumably reap the benefit of an economy of scale. Two, recognize the fact that we’ve got a big indirect/hidden cost to us as a society from people driving.

It’s great that we have employers encouraging people the way your employer does but I think we as a region need to address the matter in some unique ways if we’re going to make life tolerable for everyone.

]]> By: Dianne in DC http://dc.metblogs.com/2007/07/31/why-not-free/comment-page-1/#comment-10438 Dianne in DC Tue, 31 Jul 2007 18:38:32 +0000 http://dc.metblogs.com/2007/07/31/why-not-free/#comment-10438 The company I work for basically does that. We sign up for "Smart Benefits" and can ask that a certain amount be taken out of our pay before taxes. Then the first of the month, I go to a farecard machine that sells passes, flip my Smart Card, and download the amount onto my Smart Card. Works like a charm. The company I work for basically does that. We sign up for “Smart Benefits” and can ask that a certain amount be taken out of our pay before taxes. Then the first of the month, I go to a farecard machine that sells passes, flip my Smart Card, and download the amount onto my Smart Card. Works like a charm.

]]> By: Tiff http://dc.metblogs.com/2007/07/31/why-not-free/comment-page-1/#comment-10437 Tiff Tue, 31 Jul 2007 15:39:56 +0000 http://dc.metblogs.com/2007/07/31/why-not-free/#comment-10437 This is just my own experience, but I suspect I'm not unique- The connections from Metro would have to be substantially improved in the suburbs before I actually WOULD spend more time in the city before heading home from work. Right now, the only reasonable way to get to my neighborhood from Metro is to take the train to the Pentagon and hop a bus home... but the Pentagon is a pretty isolated place (no cabs) and the buses get a lot less regular after 6:30. As a result, I'm far more likely to hang out in the city when I drive in, because I know I have a reliable ride home. That said, your ideas intrigue me... This is just my own experience, but I suspect I’m not unique- The connections from Metro would have to be substantially improved in the suburbs before I actually WOULD spend more time in the city before heading home from work. Right now, the only reasonable way to get to my neighborhood from Metro is to take the train to the Pentagon and hop a bus home… but the Pentagon is a pretty isolated place (no cabs) and the buses get a lot less regular after 6:30. As a result, I’m far more likely to hang out in the city when I drive in, because I know I have a reliable ride home.

That said, your ideas intrigue me…

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