Why Save When You Can Spend

Mass Transit News reports that the city of Salt Lake will invest in a new, dedicated express buss service:

TRAX, FrontRunner and now: MAX.

This spring, the Utah Transit Authority will open a new bus rapid-transit service known as the "MAX" along 3500 South in Salt Lake County. It is being promoted as a faster, more reliable bus service, with buses given priority over other vehicles to move through traffic signals….. Complete article here:

Wonder why every time I read one of these press releases they talk about the most minute details … even how much the waiting shelters would cost … et they never seem to mention the single most important tool which wold:

• Improve profitability
• Enhance safety
• Attract new riders
• make better use of existing street lanes rather than hog those now used by others
• Pay for itself in a year or less

That’s right, you guessed it … GPS track the existing routes and add intelligent features like kiosks and a web site to let the public know where the busses are and when they can expect a ride.  Of course they might be able to do more with less and serve more riders for less .. while interfering with the exsiting traffic less … but hey, when did a beureaucrat ever get in trouble for spending when he could save?