Private companies are more efficient?

[HEyHEY]

Just used the newly re-tooled BC transit system today. The system has been changed over to a non-union private company on some of it's smaller routes. My route. This morning the "shuttle bus" was late so, I missed the commuter train. I have a feeling this will happen often because these idiots now have the "shuttle bus" arriving at the station 4 minutes before the train leaves...that gives you no time for anything, specifically getting your ticket. On the way home the bus was late, finally came, and during the drive home the driver says, "Any of you folks mind if we stop for gas?" The fucking thing was running on E. Of course no places sell diesel on the way so the rest of the trip was spent wondering if I would make it home. I talked to someone else who said the day before all the busses had the same number on them, so everyone took the wrong bus. GRRRRRRR!!!!
This is some serious ammo for the bus driver's union here.


On the plus side I met a nice girl who takes the same bus and will be sharing my pain until this is over and done with. So, at least I'm not alone!

[whathappened]

1. union busting suckers

is what jr. has given the green lite to all the world to do , people have better look up and take a good look at what they are doing befor it is to late and the word union will be wispered in dark rooms

[gristy]

2. Private companies make sense when barriers to entering a market

are low. This results in competition, which then results in superior service at a lower price. Your transit system market has very, very high barriers. There is no competition beyond using one's car or riding a bike. Things will improve eventually. The voters will make sure of that. But to get there, I predict BC will have to spend the same money as it was spending before. And watch what happens once the economy turns around. This new private company that isn't paying union wages will be hemmoraging drivers.

[lcordero]

3. Nope

A comparison was made in these forums which compared the private sector to government. The comparison was made from the consumer's POV, it seems that 30% of the costs for a private company was administrative costs. For a government agency, it was something like 2 to 5%.