Absolutely. The people mover in Detroit is a beautiful example of what’s wrong. Riders pay a total of 7% of its total operating costs, the rest comes from other sources (taxes). It appears that 25% rider funding is enough to consider most mass transit a great success.
From my local paper I see the liberals in Jackson Michigan are whining about needing $100,000 to repave a bike path and feel that the city or county should pay for it. I suggested taking up a collection but the liberals said that people who didn’t pay would use it. (so much for that sharing crap LOL) Instead they feel that its OJ to take the money by force to a tiny fraction of a single percent can have a smooth ride.
I’m still annoyed with the bike lanes carved out of Brown St. Bikes do NOT fund pavement, paint, sealing and maintenance, yet we who pay through the nose in gas taxes and fees are constantly hit up.
Oh yeah, can’t forget the “rainwater tax” either.