Great sub title!  It made me think of Richard Dreyfuss in the Goodbye Girl.

Sounds like you need to get involved with student government. While I'm not in favor of "free" bus services that come at the expense of the taxpayer, your situation is different because it doesn't come at the expense of the taxpayer, but rather, you are paying for it through your fees.

I was a Senator in college. I represented my department for four years...

You should think about it. We used "Robert's Rules" of order. No one really bothered to learn them but I did and I could manipulate the entire body because of it.

For example, I would get the free bus pass put on the agenda. I'd get my numbers together, how many students use the bus etc..then present my case. Of course everyone who doesn't ride the bus won't wanna vote for it and will want to stand up and say WHY they shouldn't have too.

Letting them state their opinion could cost you swing votes, so after I presented my side I'd call for "question"...meaning, no more discussion, a vote has to be taken RIGHT then. My friend would second it so a vote was immediate. hahahaha.

I did it all the time...people would get so mad because they'd want to argue against what I was asking for.....but we'd vote right then instead and I usually got what I wanted since I was prepared and persuasive AND there were no arguments against it.

If your voted down, you can bring it back up at the end of the meeting...or the next one once you've had the chance to lobby your other senators. (Talking to them in person over lunch or while waiting for a class.)

I had a friend who always seconded for me, so it was easy. During my 4 years at that college roughly 30% of student dues every year went to my department to buy us new equipment or pay for some trip we wanted.

~shrugs~

They made the rules....anyone who cared enough to read them could have stopped me. I doubt much has changed...you should look into it.

I had a friend who always seconded for me, so it was easy. During my 4 years at that college roughly 30% of student dues every year went to my department to buy us new equipment or pay for some trip we wanted. ~shrugs~ They made the rules....anyone who cared enough to read them could have stopped me. I doubt much has changed...you should look into it.

Cant blame someone for using the rules!

Cant blame someone for using the rules!

Amen. If I'd have thought about it, I would've gotten involved, but with full-time school, full-time work, involvement in my church group, involvement in my Foreign Languages Honor Society (whatever the letters are for it . . .), and trying to maintain some semblance of a social life, I don't know if I'd be able to.

Thanks for the ideas, though! It's been helpful. Maybe I'll just befriend one of the senators and get them to fight my battles for me . . .

I just googled my hometown's website for bus pass fares. I was thinking that it would probably be less expensive to get a monthly pass for me and my daughter, than spend the 100.00 a month for the transportation that my sister does provide for us... turns out the difference is 6 dollars.... why they suggest that it's cheaper to take the bus than a car, I'll never know.

Ah, the joys of UTA.

It was nice up in Logan. They actually added a tiny little retail tax that covered the use of the bus. 100% free (or in other words 100% paid for). It was very handy to just be able to hop on and go. In fact, we had friends that were married and had a child for a year or so before they ever had to get a car.

Is it too expensive/difficult to drive and park? That was always fun as well. (My parking pass this year cost me $560!)

Rant on, mate. It is good for you.

I know why the bus company didn't wait for the end of term before they changed the timetable. It is in their charter to inconvenience as many people as they can. I know this because your services are in league with the same bus services here in Sydney, where I live. I catch buses to and from work, an easy 10 minute journey, if I choose not to walk. I have a current timetable but I may as well be shooting rubber bands at the moon because they are never on time. If I'm early to the stop, they're late. If I'm late, they're early. I've never once caught a bus at the time the table said it would be arriving. Not once in 4 years. Very frustrating.

Is it too expensive/difficult to drive and park? That was always fun as well.

I'm too cheap. Remember, I lost my scholarship because of that damn math teacher, so I've got to pay for school, and a tank of gas a week to get to school and back doesn't sound like fun. Oh well.

I know why the bus company didn't wait for the end of term before they changed the timetable. It is in their charter to inconvenience as many people as they can. I know this because your services are in league with the same bus services here in Sydney, where I live. I catch buses to and from work, an easy 10 minute journey, if I choose not to walk. I have a current timetable but I may as well be shooting rubber bands at the moon because they are never on time. If I'm early to the stop, they're late. If I'm late, they're early. I've never once caught a bus at the time the table said it would be arriving. Not once in 4 years. Very frustrating

I feel your pain, maso, I do. And I really wonder how UTA got "Best Public Transportation in the West". I guess Albuquerque's was worse. And Santa Fe's was a total joke.

Here in Australia, particularly in the state I live, New South Wales, the only awards our public transport system would win would be for poor service or unreasonable delays.

Here in Australia, particularly in the state I live, New South Wales, the only awards our public transport system would win would be for poor service or unreasonable delays.

There are a lot of slams against the city I work in, and they are well deserved.  However, the public transportation is pretty damn good, and they do run on time.  Almost like clockwork.  I have seen a bus sitting idle for 5 minutes because it was ahead of schedule.

There are a lot of slams against the city I work in, and they are well deserved. However, the public transportation is pretty damn good, and they do run on time. Almost like clockwork. I have seen a bus sitting idle for 5 minutes because it was ahead of schedule.

Two questions: 1)Where is this? and 2)How can I get there?

Two questions: 1)Where is this? and 2)How can I get there?

First, check out the top 5 Murder cities.  We are on that list.

Second, Jump on I-64, and head East. When you run out of road, turn around and proceed 90 miles west.  Be sure to avoid the dead bodies.

Richmond in case you missed the signs.

First, check out the top 5 Murder cities. We are on that list.

Second, Jump on I-64, and head East. When you run out of road, turn around and proceed 90 miles west. Be sure to avoid the dead bodies.

Maybe I'll pass. I lived in Albuquerque for awhile, and was witness to a murder (this was on my mission - my companion was frantically calling 911 while I was trying to staunch the guy's bleeding, then he died. Luckily the killer was caught and pled guilty, and I didn't have to testify. That would have been a hassle.). Murder capitals aren't the most alluring cities in the world.

I think I'll live with bad bus service and . . . well . . . live.

Two questions: 1)Where is this? and 2)How can I get there?

I thought the answer to the second would have been obvious... Catch a bus! (I couldn't resist).

check out the top 5 Murder cities. We are on that list.

I would far rather be living in a city with an inadequate public transportation system. No jokes...