Inbox

[January 2nd, 2008]

Fareless Square is not the problem

[Re: “The Square Dance,” WW , Dec. 26, 2007:] The only issue with [eliminating Fareless Square] will be compliance, which will necessitate more officers on TriMet. Dissolving Fareless Square will solve nothing. The troublemakers already ride outside the square without paying, and they aren’t suddenly going to abandon the train because a ticket is required.

The only people who will do that are honest riders who will now (like me) just drive into downtown, further clogging the already congested downtown streets, and spend their money to park closer to their destination. The same troublemaking losers who are now causing problems will, however, continue to hop on the train and just jump off when a transit cop gets on, just as they do now when riding back to Gresham or Hillsboro.

Keeping people safe on public transit is certainly an important goal, but it can only be done sensibly and with legitimately effective solutions, which this isn’t.

“Jefe”
via wweek.com

…But it’s not the solution, either

Sorry, but I’m all for nixing Fareless Square. It’s a nice idea in concept, but no one can argue that it doesn’t result in sketchy characters and nonviolent crimes increasing in said area. Seattle has the same thing downtown and the same issues.

There is a reason why people feel extraordinarily safe in subways in big cities like London, New York, Athens, etc. You need to pay and take a ticket before you are allowed to even go through the turnstile.

The only issue with implementing this will be compliance, which will necessitate more officers on TriMet.

“Jerry”
via wweek.com

CORRECTION: We screwed up on two facts in last week’s profile of Ma Anand Sheela (see “Whatever Happened To…?” WW , Dec. 26, 2007). Here’s the correct information: The Rajneeshees renamed the small town of Antelope “Rajneesh.” And they bused in homeless people with the intention of having them vote for a slate of Rajneeshee candidates. WW regrets the errors.