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Indybay Feature
Muni Revenue Down--Fare Strike Taking A Toll
Some may think that because the fare strike hasn't produced an impossible-to-ignore bang that it has failed. This is the wrong way to think about it. We seek to make Muni management pay a price for its decision to increase fares, layoff operators and decrease service. Apparently, despite the corporate media's desire to minimize and belittle the fare strike, we are having the desired impact. Read on.
*** PRESS RELEASE
*** Muni Fare Strike
MUNI INCREASES CASH FARE, CASH REVENUE DROPS
For immediate release
Thursday, September 8, 2005
8:30 AM
According to figures released by Muni, cash revenue collected at the farebox has dropped since the cash fare was increased on September 1.
This decrease has occurred despite the 20% increase in the adult cash fare, and the 40% increase in the youth, senior and disabled cash fare.
If this decrease in revenue continues, it will mean a loss of millions of dollars per year for Muni, rather than the multi-million dollar increase projected by Muni managers as a result of the fare increase.
Here are the figures:
Muni collected an average of $169,011 per day on Monday, August 29 through Wednesday, August 31. Yet on Thursday, September 1, the day the fare increase was implemented, cash fare revenue declined to $150,529.
This is an 11% decrease from the average of the first three days of that week.
Cash fare revenue was up at the beginning of the week starting Monday, August 29, most likely as a result of the opening of San Francisco's public schools.
Even comparing Muni's farebox revenue to the whole month of August, which included only three days during which public schools were in session, the $150,529 cash revenue collected on September 1 represented a decline from the $152,654 cash revenue average for August.
On Friday, September 2, cash revenue declined again to $143,305. This was the day before the Labor Day weekend.
The decline in cash revenue continued through the Labor Day weekend. Compared to last year's Labor Day weekend, cash fares declined by nearly 14% -- despite the increase in the cash fare this year.
(Fares collected during this year's Labor Day weekend, Saturday, September 3 through Monday September 5, totaled $210,331. Cash revenues collected during the during the 2004 Labor Day weekend, Saturday, September 4 through Monday, September 6, totaled $244,523.)
At the time of the release of this statement, no figures were available from Muni for cash fares collected on Tuesday, September 6 or Wednesday, September 7.
IF THESE REVENUE TRENDS CONTINUE, MUNI'S INCREASE IN THE FARE WILL ACTUALLY INCREASE MUNI'S BUDGET PROBLEMS -- NOT HELP RESOLVE THEM.
Muni is planning on implementing a wide-ranging set of service cuts before the end of this month. These service cuts will inevitably increase rider dissatisfaction with the system, and may well lead to an even greater decline in farebox revenue.
(415) 648-1904
munifarestrike [at] yahoo.com
http://www.munifarestrike.net
*** Muni Fare Strike
MUNI INCREASES CASH FARE, CASH REVENUE DROPS
For immediate release
Thursday, September 8, 2005
8:30 AM
According to figures released by Muni, cash revenue collected at the farebox has dropped since the cash fare was increased on September 1.
This decrease has occurred despite the 20% increase in the adult cash fare, and the 40% increase in the youth, senior and disabled cash fare.
If this decrease in revenue continues, it will mean a loss of millions of dollars per year for Muni, rather than the multi-million dollar increase projected by Muni managers as a result of the fare increase.
Here are the figures:
Muni collected an average of $169,011 per day on Monday, August 29 through Wednesday, August 31. Yet on Thursday, September 1, the day the fare increase was implemented, cash fare revenue declined to $150,529.
This is an 11% decrease from the average of the first three days of that week.
Cash fare revenue was up at the beginning of the week starting Monday, August 29, most likely as a result of the opening of San Francisco's public schools.
Even comparing Muni's farebox revenue to the whole month of August, which included only three days during which public schools were in session, the $150,529 cash revenue collected on September 1 represented a decline from the $152,654 cash revenue average for August.
On Friday, September 2, cash revenue declined again to $143,305. This was the day before the Labor Day weekend.
The decline in cash revenue continued through the Labor Day weekend. Compared to last year's Labor Day weekend, cash fares declined by nearly 14% -- despite the increase in the cash fare this year.
(Fares collected during this year's Labor Day weekend, Saturday, September 3 through Monday September 5, totaled $210,331. Cash revenues collected during the during the 2004 Labor Day weekend, Saturday, September 4 through Monday, September 6, totaled $244,523.)
At the time of the release of this statement, no figures were available from Muni for cash fares collected on Tuesday, September 6 or Wednesday, September 7.
IF THESE REVENUE TRENDS CONTINUE, MUNI'S INCREASE IN THE FARE WILL ACTUALLY INCREASE MUNI'S BUDGET PROBLEMS -- NOT HELP RESOLVE THEM.
Muni is planning on implementing a wide-ranging set of service cuts before the end of this month. These service cuts will inevitably increase rider dissatisfaction with the system, and may well lead to an even greater decline in farebox revenue.
(415) 648-1904
munifarestrike [at] yahoo.com
http://www.munifarestrike.net
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I see a lot of people waiting at bus stops now, and my wife also waits a long time for buses even on mission street. People may not feel that 25 cents is a big increase (unless you are poor), but even people who buy monthly passes (since the cost of passes has not gone up - yet - and people need it to ride the BART in the city) have to wait a long time for buses. This cut in services is what will cause the biggest problems and frustrations for people.
How can people who have bought their monthly passes participate in getting services restored if the action is centered on not paying?
should we flood the muni office with phone calls? what's the number? or fax of email? is there a demo planned?
a lot of people don't seem to know about the fare strike. i see it on indy media and i see the flyers in a couple places, mostly in the mission, but most people seem oblivious and continue to pay.
i see more organizing in the Mission (as usual) than downtown where most of the routes begin or end.
How can people who have bought their monthly passes participate in getting services restored if the action is centered on not paying?
should we flood the muni office with phone calls? what's the number? or fax of email? is there a demo planned?
a lot of people don't seem to know about the fare strike. i see it on indy media and i see the flyers in a couple places, mostly in the mission, but most people seem oblivious and continue to pay.
i see more organizing in the Mission (as usual) than downtown where most of the routes begin or end.
These are all good points. I would call the people with Muni Social Strike, (another muni group), and talk to them. http://www.socialstrike.net
Just to be fair, the drop in revenue can't yet be directly linked to the fare strike. When prices go up, consumption decreases (think of that annoying supply & demand chart). The increased price probably means less people are riding. Muni's stupid economic planners probably forgot to think about that when the decided to hike the rate.
It's way too soon to know what is happening. This is too bad, but that's how we do it here. In the Third World, when there's a fair hike, mobs go out and burn busses by the dozen. Then either they are brutally suppressed by the police, or the hike is rescinded. Either way, the process is quick. What we're doing here will take many months, if not longer, before we can even tell what's happening, let alone see it have an effect. Americans are too meek, timid docile a people to insist the matter be settled quickly.
Fare strike organizers like myself who have cruised the busses and trains getting out the word have found that about 5 out of 6 operators wave us through when we board Muni and announce that we're honoring the strike. Some are simply apathetic, but quite a few support our action, especially when we make clear that we're fighting *not only* the fare hikes but also the service cuts and layoffs.
So...don't let the armchair set have you believe this shit is over. Far from it.
So...don't let the armchair set have you believe this shit is over. Far from it.
A case can be made that this struggle is just beginning. I prefer a somewhat different analysis. While this particular strike is just beginning, it is not taking place in a historical vacuum, nor is it an isolated event. It is but one more step in a much larger struggle, the on growing growth of the long standing, vigorous and fast expanding self-reduction movement. Self-reduction is a global phenomenon, not particular to SF or to mass transit. But even within the limited sphere of SF mass transit, this strike has clear and direct historical precedents. More than just a movement, we are creating a culture of self reduction. It spans generations. Some people have been self-reducing the cost of mass transit in this town for decades, and passing their knowledge, skills and inspiration to the generations coming to take their place.
For example, see:
http://www.indybay.org/uploads/fastpass.mov
For example, see:
http://www.indybay.org/uploads/fastpass.mov
Are there any figures that show if there was an increase in fast pass sales for September? I usually walk to work but have co-workers who switched from cash/tokens and purchased fast passes. I support the strike, I am just curious on the fast pass sales figures. I suspect they may not know until later in the month when unused passes are returned.
"The increased price probably means less people are riding. Muni's stupid economic planners probably forgot to think about that when the decided to hike the rate."
That would be true if the price werent so inelastic. Casual riding of MUNI would be effected by a small fare increase but riding MUNI to work doesnt have many alternatives with parking rates so high in most of the city (its $10 an hour downtown in many places). AC Transit just raised their prices too and I havent noticed any change in ridership over here for a similar reason. Even in terms of casual traffic its hard to see how a 25 cent fare increase would make someone going out to eat, to a movie, to a bar, to a coffee shop, ... ride less when the cost of a coffee, drink, or even fast food meal is significantly more than the transit cost. Transit increases are a tax on the poor since its government income that comes more from those with low incomes than those with high incomes, but its not bad economics for the city since the price really is inelastic and with the real cost being the amount one spends in a month or week (with daily amount still being comparatively low for most peopel compared to other expenses) its hard to see how you could get much traction on this as an issue (especially when peoples heating bills are going to double this winter and electric bills are also going to go up significantly due to oil and gas shortages)
The labor issues around MUNI seem like they would be easier to get people worked up about since reducing the number of busses will mean longer wait times.
That would be true if the price werent so inelastic. Casual riding of MUNI would be effected by a small fare increase but riding MUNI to work doesnt have many alternatives with parking rates so high in most of the city (its $10 an hour downtown in many places). AC Transit just raised their prices too and I havent noticed any change in ridership over here for a similar reason. Even in terms of casual traffic its hard to see how a 25 cent fare increase would make someone going out to eat, to a movie, to a bar, to a coffee shop, ... ride less when the cost of a coffee, drink, or even fast food meal is significantly more than the transit cost. Transit increases are a tax on the poor since its government income that comes more from those with low incomes than those with high incomes, but its not bad economics for the city since the price really is inelastic and with the real cost being the amount one spends in a month or week (with daily amount still being comparatively low for most peopel compared to other expenses) its hard to see how you could get much traction on this as an issue (especially when peoples heating bills are going to double this winter and electric bills are also going to go up significantly due to oil and gas shortages)
The labor issues around MUNI seem like they would be easier to get people worked up about since reducing the number of busses will mean longer wait times.
From what I understand, the main thrust of the Muni Social strike is not mainly the fair hike, (although it is a part of it). While the .25 cents is not that much, student and disabled costs have also gone up.
However, the fact remains that SF elites feel the need to take money from poor and working people instead of perhaps not taking massive pay raises, and getting the taxes owed from downtown businesses.
The service cuts, layoffs, and also fewer buses, (making more overworked drivers), are all in the end perhaps bigger issues.
However, the fact remains that SF elites feel the need to take money from poor and working people instead of perhaps not taking massive pay raises, and getting the taxes owed from downtown businesses.
The service cuts, layoffs, and also fewer buses, (making more overworked drivers), are all in the end perhaps bigger issues.
I have been effectively fare striking since the last fare hike. I notice a huge difference now. There are far more people refusing to pay. At some muni stops particularly out in the avenues there are secret transfer stash spots that people have organized on the fly.
The MUNI execs have made idiots of themselves once again with the fare hike as well as their pathetic attempt to protect it with a security force of yellow vested teenagers. I don't think anyone could have planned a more embarassing scenario. You know its bad when you are your own worst enemy, eh MUNI?
It is beautiful.This is great!
The MUNI execs have made idiots of themselves once again with the fare hike as well as their pathetic attempt to protect it with a security force of yellow vested teenagers. I don't think anyone could have planned a more embarassing scenario. You know its bad when you are your own worst enemy, eh MUNI?
It is beautiful.This is great!
1. our collective demand (representing ALL riders and drivers, whatever their opinion) is that MUNI repeal the changes it made to the system (attempting to balance their budget on our backs).
2. our collective response to the changes (as the aggregate of ALL riders and drivers) is now being seen at the farebox, which is where it counts.
3. we know that if (since) they cant get the money from us they _will_ get it somewhere else
the change in OUR response is simply the result of the changes made to MUNI and our demands are simply the repeal of those changes. the arguments being made here about whether people are "striking" or not are pure sophistry. what matters is action -- not bullshit, not words, but direct action -- and were seeing plenty of it. our social strike continues, and we are having a serious impact!
2. our collective response to the changes (as the aggregate of ALL riders and drivers) is now being seen at the farebox, which is where it counts.
3. we know that if (since) they cant get the money from us they _will_ get it somewhere else
the change in OUR response is simply the result of the changes made to MUNI and our demands are simply the repeal of those changes. the arguments being made here about whether people are "striking" or not are pure sophistry. what matters is action -- not bullshit, not words, but direct action -- and were seeing plenty of it. our social strike continues, and we are having a serious impact!
For more information:
http://www.socialstrike.net
This is from Muni Fare Strike Bulletin #8:
*** UPDATE ON MUNI REVENUE
Muni management blew a gasket after our last bulletin, which exposed the fact that the September 1 fare hike has not yet produced any new revenue at the farebox, and that farebox revenue actually appears to be dropping, according to Muni's own figures. Muni has tried to spin this fact away, but when the fare goes up by 20% and cash revenue stays flat or
goes down something is very wrong.
See http://www.MuniFareStrike.net for more data on Muni revenues.
One argument Muni management is now making is that more people may be buying fast passes, and thus not paying the cash fare. This may or may not be true, but at this point it is pure speculation. There is no way for Muni, or anybody else, to know how many September passes are being
sold until they collect the unsold passes from the vendors later in the month. Even if it turns out to be true that more people are buying passes, it is hard to imagine that this alone will make up for all the missing cash revenue.
More significantly, what about the riders who can't afford a $45 fast pass at the beginning of the month? What about riders who don't ride every day, and for whom a fast pass just isn't a good deal? And what about people who buy the weekly pass, which has been raised from $12 to $15?
These riders are getting the shaft, no matter how many more fast passes are being sold.
What role is the fare strike playing in all this? It is hard to
calculate how many people are actively participating in the fare strike at this point, but it certainly is more than Muni wants to admit. THE DIRTY LITTLE SECRET THAT MANY MUNI RIDERS HAVE DISCOVERED IS THAT, RIGHT NOW, THE VAST MAJORITY OF DRIVERS DON'T SEEM TO GIVE A HOOT WHETHER A RIDER PAYS THE FARE. Nor do they seem to care whether we board in the front or the back, despite all those signs on the back doors. You are
not going to read this in the Chronicle or the Examiner (or, for that matter, in the Bay Guardian), but that doesn't make it any less true.
On Friday, last week, we asked Muni for any new figures they have on Muni revenues after Labor Day. That was the last day for which we had figures at the time of our last bulletin. We were told that we now have to direct all information requests to Maggie Lynch, Muni's public
relations officer. We've left a couple of messages, but so far, Lynch isn't answering our calls. We will let you know when she does, if she does, and tell you what she says.
*** UPDATE ON MUNI REVENUE
Muni management blew a gasket after our last bulletin, which exposed the fact that the September 1 fare hike has not yet produced any new revenue at the farebox, and that farebox revenue actually appears to be dropping, according to Muni's own figures. Muni has tried to spin this fact away, but when the fare goes up by 20% and cash revenue stays flat or
goes down something is very wrong.
See http://www.MuniFareStrike.net for more data on Muni revenues.
One argument Muni management is now making is that more people may be buying fast passes, and thus not paying the cash fare. This may or may not be true, but at this point it is pure speculation. There is no way for Muni, or anybody else, to know how many September passes are being
sold until they collect the unsold passes from the vendors later in the month. Even if it turns out to be true that more people are buying passes, it is hard to imagine that this alone will make up for all the missing cash revenue.
More significantly, what about the riders who can't afford a $45 fast pass at the beginning of the month? What about riders who don't ride every day, and for whom a fast pass just isn't a good deal? And what about people who buy the weekly pass, which has been raised from $12 to $15?
These riders are getting the shaft, no matter how many more fast passes are being sold.
What role is the fare strike playing in all this? It is hard to
calculate how many people are actively participating in the fare strike at this point, but it certainly is more than Muni wants to admit. THE DIRTY LITTLE SECRET THAT MANY MUNI RIDERS HAVE DISCOVERED IS THAT, RIGHT NOW, THE VAST MAJORITY OF DRIVERS DON'T SEEM TO GIVE A HOOT WHETHER A RIDER PAYS THE FARE. Nor do they seem to care whether we board in the front or the back, despite all those signs on the back doors. You are
not going to read this in the Chronicle or the Examiner (or, for that matter, in the Bay Guardian), but that doesn't make it any less true.
On Friday, last week, we asked Muni for any new figures they have on Muni revenues after Labor Day. That was the last day for which we had figures at the time of our last bulletin. We were told that we now have to direct all information requests to Maggie Lynch, Muni's public
relations officer. We've left a couple of messages, but so far, Lynch isn't answering our calls. We will let you know when she does, if she does, and tell you what she says.
Interestingly, repeated attempts by Muni FareStrike to get Muni to reveal latest farebox revenue figures have been met with stonewalling.
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