On Isolated Transit Systems

For systems that ostensibly serve the public, many transit agencies can't—or won't—work together when the situation encourages it. When PATH closed a section of its network this month, it chose "to shuttle its passengers rather than take advantage of existing New York City Transit Subway services, giving them vouchers to use on the buses instead of working with the MTA to let riders take advantage of the trains it is running."

Yonah Freemark suspects that the systems see themselves in competition with each other. "What's ironic about this arrangement, of course, is that both PATH and the New York City Subway are run by public agencies (supposedly) serving in the public interest and receiving public subsidies to operate and construct projects."

Freemark estimates the total cost of shuttling PATH passengers at $720,000 to $930,000. "It would be cheaper for both transit systems overall for the MTA to simply absorb the transferring PATH riders during the weekend shutdowns."

The real problem may be political. "A better grasp on what regional goals are for transit networks in general, and a commensurate focus by elected officials on telling agencies what to do, rather than letting agencies operate in isolated fiefdoms, would aid American transit riders."