"A community’s physical form, rather than its land uses, is its most intrinsic and enduring characteristic." [Katz, EPA] This blog focuses on place and placemaking and all that makes it work--historic preservation, urban design, transportation, asset-based community development, arts & cultural development, commercial district revitalization, tourism & destination development, and quality of life advocacy--along with doses of civic engagement and good governance watchdogging.
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Monday, August 26, 2019
Great transit marketing wrt the price of gas
(Except that long term, gas is likely to be relatively cheap, so long as cheap is defined as less than $3 per gallon.)
The price of gas has *never* influenced my decision to take transit vs driving (I own a car). It is 1) time 2) cost of parking. Given that gas prices are cheap and probably will be, transit agencies need to update their marketing approach. They aren't competing against the cost of gas, they're competing with the convenience of Uber, or a private car.
However gas prices in California -- and premium gas almost everywhere -- is pretty pricey. Well over $3.*
Will be interesting with the death of one Koch brother -- and the probable death of the other in a few years -- on how that will apply to various transit tax increases.
* I do agree that you probably don't see much change in transit usage until the 4 or 5 range.
Price of gas probably makes a difference for long distance commuters. But it appears as if gasoline prices will remain "low" for the foreseeable future. Especially if there is a price for parking.
So yes, marketing against the price of gas doesn't make sense. Particularly for shorter range trips.
====== agree about the Kochs. I haven't read the Post article about Phoenix light rail yet. DK what is up there. Until the last year or two, there had been strong support. But I think last year, maybe the year before, they did cancel an extension.
The price of gas has *never* influenced my decision to take transit vs driving (I own a car). It is 1) time 2) cost of parking. Given that gas prices are cheap and probably will be, transit agencies need to update their marketing approach. They aren't competing against the cost of gas, they're competing with the convenience of Uber, or a private car.
ReplyDeleteYes to the first comment.
ReplyDeleteHowever gas prices in California -- and premium gas almost everywhere -- is pretty pricey. Well over $3.*
Will be interesting with the death of one Koch brother -- and the probable death of the other in a few years -- on how that will apply to various transit tax increases.
* I do agree that you probably don't see much change in transit usage until the 4 or 5 range.
Price of gas probably makes a difference for long distance commuters. But it appears as if gasoline prices will remain "low" for the foreseeable future. Especially if there is a price for parking.
ReplyDeleteSo yes, marketing against the price of gas doesn't make sense. Particularly for shorter range trips.
======
agree about the Kochs. I haven't read the Post article about Phoenix light rail yet. DK what is up there. Until the last year or two, there had been strong support. But I think last year, maybe the year before, they did cancel an extension.
Def good comments, glad to see!
ReplyDeleteTransit is just not compelling in a lot of scenarios right now.
We did go 10 miles or so for 1.75 each, good deal. Uber back for 4 ppl was only 17 bucks so eh. And no traffic at all but bus was 7 mins late. Idk