This week in our print edition, I wrote about MATA.
The public transportation authority is looking at several changes, including new “Smart Bus” technology, a study of the routes and service areas, and a new FastPass program, which lets people pay for a daily, weekly, or monthly pass.
All things I think they should be doing and congratulate them for taking on.
But in a world where public transportation makes good economic sense for both localities and their citizens, not to mention the health and environmental benefits, I urged MATA to try to make riding the bus more convenient and more efficient.
For the record, I like MATA general manager Will Hudson. He’s a nice guy; he’s been inducted into some state transportation hall of fame, and his story — working his way from bus driver to MATA head — is very impressive.
And I think the MATA staff work very hard to try and provide the best service they can to the customers they already have.
But I think they could help themselves — and the county — by growing a larger ridership base.
