Scripsit el GorTo:

Several Gormogons were regular users of the Washington DC Metro system growing up. For those unaware, the DC Metro system actually charges more to use it during rush hour. Huh? Aren’t we supposed to use mass transit during rush hour? WHy not make it cheaper during rush hour??

For many years, I was willing to ascribe this to economically illiterate, revenue-hungry politicians thinking, “More people at rush hour + higher fares = more money for us!” But of late I wonder if they don’t know what they’re doing. “Subsidize what you want more of, tax what you want less of” isn’t exactly brain surgery, and in terms of speed cameras and vice taxes, D.C. seems to get it pretty damn well. Is it possible WMATA wants to keep throngs off the rush-hour trains? Why would that be? Maybe they don‘t have enough trains or cars, if the demand was higher? The capital expenditure would blow their budget even more? Given that they usually operate in the red, as I understand, I don’t know why it would make much of a difference. More indulgences for our sins against Gaia!

Confucius, Œc. Vol.

Don’t ask impertinent questions like that jackass Adept Lu.