Stupid federal rule cancels shuttles to Seahawks games

[eridani]

http://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2008/08/feds-force-metro-transit-to-cancel.html

What federal regulation, you ask? Why, the one intended to promote privatized transportation at the expense of the common good:

It prohibits public transportation agencies like King County Metro Transit from providing shuttles if a privately owned agency wants the job.

Federal officials say the goal was to create more free market competition, and not tie up taxpayer dollars.


As it turns out, the market is going to leave Seahawks fans high and dry:

For the 5,000 Seahawks fans that use Metro shuttles on game day, the regulation means no shuttle service at all, since the Seahawks passed on the $20 per passenger bid offered by a single private operator.

<...>

The Seahawks said they turned down the private company because it was too expensive and because the bid did not include approvals to use park-and-ride lots, roadways, and staging areas to operate the shuttles smoothly

It figures there would be no competitive bidding from the "free" market. The harm of this federal meddling is already obvious. We call on Senators Murray and Cantwell, and our Democratic representatives in Congress, to do whatever they can to get this counterproductive restriction on public transit agencies canned.

[SeattleGirl]

1. Does this apply to the Mariners games too?

We take the special Metro shuttle bus to the Mariners games. The park and ride is 3 miles from the house, and the ride is quick, not to mention there's no parking hassles or anything. Best way to get to the games, I think.

The massive drive toward privatizing everything in this country (not to mention in Iraq and Afghanistan) is destroying this country.

[eridani]

2. The article just said Seahawks

If the shuttles are still running, the Mariners games should be OK. It didn't say when the regulation was to take effect.

[ManiacJoe]

3. The shuttles are still running.

Just without the team subsidies.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008117570_seahawksshuttle16m.html

[LisaM]

4. This goes well beyond just a sports team; I hope people note that

It could discourage shuttles to all kinds of events, not just in Seattle, but around the country. It's worth making a big stink over.