Town Square

Post a New Topic

BART considers 20-cent TransBay tube surcharge to spare employee layoffs

Original post made on Jan 18, 2010

At the end of a lengthy hearing on their transit agency's $25 million budget deficit, BART directors ultimately opted not to take any action because of concerns about a staff proposal that could result in the layoffs of up to 19 employees.

Read the full story here Web Link posted Sunday, January 17, 2010, 2:30 PM

Comments (4)

Posted by bob123
a resident of another community
on Jan 18, 2010 at 8:44 am

Here we go again! Bart Board President Fang looks for new ways to drive riders away from Bart while suggesting that his 20% surcharge would raise 17.5 million to save somewhere between 19 and 74 jobs of which 30 are currently vacant. At 74 that is $236,486 a job!!! How much do we pay people like Mr Fany to run so called public affordable transportation? At what point does he not get it? Justifies the suggested surcharge by saying the bridge tolls will be going up so we (Bart)can raise prices too! Once again we have a fool running the circus and not having a single logical and reasonable approach to helping those who are paying his salary by the riding Bart. I am sure he will now reconsider and have some lame excuse for the idea. Maybe if prices stay down there will be too many people using Bart- so why not charge for parking,apply a surcharge for sitting down, a fee for riding the esculator, restroom use fee a fee on the newspaper guy,or charge the TAX drivers a fee for waiting at the stations-- Maybe we should ask Mr Fang how he gets to and from "work"-- in a Bart provided car no doubt with free parking, gas etc.


Posted by Gunslinger
a resident of Danville
on Jan 19, 2010 at 2:27 pm

Another tax proposal essentially. Why? Because our system has no money, or rather I should say they waste all our money. On what? Illegal immigrants, cultural welfare abusers, and an exceedingly lame yet money-devouring education system. There are those who wish to break the back of the good American taxpayer. I say we break theirs


Posted by Qwerty
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jan 19, 2010 at 5:19 pm

I agree with Gunslinger. There also seems to be very little accountability. Amtrak is subsidized by the Government (at least partially) and look how "efficient" it is. What a joke!


Posted by reader
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jan 20, 2010 at 5:44 pm

The problem with BART's costs are their employee costs are the highest of just about any transit agency. BART even admits it. Go to their jobs site and you see this:

"BART offers one of the most comprehensive compensation and benefits programs you will find anywhere. We pay at rates that are strongly competitive in the labor market, and complement our pay program with an outstanding benefits package. Benefits include the renowned CalPERS pension, excellent medical, vision, and dental coverage, supplemental insurances, excellent paid holidays and vacation, as well as two investment programs, one of which is entirely funded by BART on your behalf. BART also saves you money in your paycheck because no deductions are made for Social Security."

Search on open jobs and you also see a job of executive manager that pays up to $211,672.03!

You can also see a job for a Elevator/Escalator maintenance person whose primary job is "cleaning of escalators, including checking handrails, steps, combs, contacts, relays, plates, rollers and brakes" and that pays $27.24 /hour to $35.60 /hour


Don't miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to be notified of new comments on this topic.

Email:


Post a comment

Sorry, but further commenting on this topic has been closed.

Stay informed.

Get the day's top headlines from PleasantonWeekly.com sent to your inbox in the Express newsletter.

Marriage Interview #17: They Renew Their Vows Every 5 Years
By Chandrama Anderson | 9 comments | 1,830 views

Taking an electric car on a northern California road trip
By Monith Ilavarasan | 0 comments | 655 views

Is San Francisco caught in a "death spiral"?
By Tim Hunt | 7 comments | 415 views

 

2023 guide to summer camps

Looking for something for the kids to do this summer, learn something new and have fun? The Summer Camp Guide features local camps for all ages and interests.

Find Camps Here