[markbarbera]

The problem is, HSR is currently treated by the city as a type of social service. Ridership is driven primarily from their subsidizing monthly student, senior and welfare passes. Service is geared to serve these demographics first and foremost. Even the advertising acknowledges this demographic preference as practically all transit advertising is used to promote social services. It is the permeation of the welfare industrial complex that holds back the city in so many ways. Until service is adjusted to serve people outside this demographic (as well as within it), then the HSR is doomed to continue to languish.

LRT would be a lot easier sell if it was designed to appeal to the non-traditional demographic and attracted a full-fare ridership demographic to the service. Without the full fare ridership, LRT will not succeed.