Any idea when it'll be when they have enough buses to start the other routes? Do they intend to start them both at the same time? If not, which is going to start first?

Another entitlement partially paid by my tax dollars. Next thing you'll see is the MTA having to raise bus fairs because they aren't collecting as much money. Good thing the Circulator is here otherwise the bankrupt City and bankrupt State would have to figure out another entitlement to pay for.

that could've been $100,000 for the bankrupt city and 2 more cops.

I would not characterize the CCC as an entitlement program. An entitlement program is a government program created to target a specific demographic of the population and to provide them with social benefits. Unemployment insurance, Social Security, Medicare, and Pell Grants are all entitlement programs because you need to prove to the government that you are entitled to those benefits. We all expect to have access to many of these programs, but that does not necessarily mean we are entitled to them in the governmental sense of the word.

By contrast, the CCC and public transit are available for use by any person and you do not need to prove to the MTA that you are entitled to ride the bus. That's even more applicable to the CCC, which is free to everyone.

FWIW, MTA is likely to raise fares; I remember seeing an article in the Sun to that effect, although fares haven't gone up in quite a while, so it shouldn't come as a shock.

But you're right; as a taxpayer, you and I and lots of others have helped fund the CCC in one fashion or another. But hey, it's another option for my commute and will be useful when the other routes come online, so I can't complain. Worse ways to spend taxpayer money, IMHO (see: Dixon, Sheila billing hair expenses to the city).

Let's be clear: the Circulator is funded through a dedicated City parking garage tax.

Nate Payer
TRAC

"City parking garage tax"
sounds like a TAX which goes to the government which then pays for the bus which = entitlement.

But lets be clear on who funds this. http://www.charmcitycirculator.com/content/partners shows a list of partners, most of which are funded with city funds.

"An entitlement program is a government program created to target a specific demographic of the population and to provide them with social benefits."

I agree, but since I drive and do not use this bus that would mean I'm not a target for a specific demographic of the population.

"that could've been $100,000 for the bankrupt city and 2 more cops." Please, those buses cost $150k each or more! Plus maintenance, plus a bus drivers wages and benifits. Each bus, as a guess, probably is the equivilant to 3 police officers and their cruisers.

@Phillip I agree with you. I disagree when people say that this is funded with the garage tax. Let's do something else with the garage tax and charge people a buck to ride these buses. The city needs to find ways to make money, a few more parking lots would help out. Each line could bring in $400,000 a year, x 3 lines=1.2 million dollars. That money can be used for a lot of things. I just don't understand why it's free. Maybe it's just me.