it does suck. but going from a suck equilibrium to a great one is a challenge to which neither of us have an answer. 1/

one answer is somehow just find the money to run high frequency clean buses, build it and they will come. from this perspective fares help. another is encourage more middle class use of what exists and hope that changes the politics so we can actually find that money in the US. 2/

which approach is best? both are currently unlikely. i'll stay off a high about the second approach, but i'd recommend you do the same about the first. /fin