Helpless

Every day MUNI gets worse and there is nothing I can do about it.

Today I went to buy my December pass, still slightly bitter about its escalated price of $55. As I slide my credit card over to the cashier I see a sign for January's passes (yes, there will be two different kinds in 2010) with $60 and $70 price tags on them.

To my horror I learn that come the new year, it will cost me another $5 a month to have access to MUNI service. Is this some kind of sick joke?

Seriously, am I mistaken, or weren't prices just raised in July? No, I know I'm not mistaken, I'm in disbelieve that the SFMTA would have the audacity to raise rates for a second time in less than a year.

Here's some math for thought:

Yearly cost to ride MUNI (and city-wide BART) as of January 2009: $540

Yearly cost to ride MUNI (and city-wide BART) as of January 2010: $840

I'm sorry, but are the people in charge somehow not aware of the global economic crisis? (talk about kicking us when we're down....)

On top of escalating prices, service is changing or getting cut on basically every MUNI line. So, you're going to give me less and charge me more.

Does this make sense to anyone?

I feel powerless. There is nothing I do but pay the fee and take the ride--no matter how expensive or how dangerous. I mean, the SFMTA isn't even publicizing this fare hike, because to them, it doesn't really matter. It's five bucks and if you don't have a car and live in the city (and aren't a hermit) you have to pay it.

Well, I guess I do have one option--strike (and hope it catches on like scrunchies in the 90's).