[mbucc]

I don't hate it, but I do question if it is the best use of funds. The U.S. doesn't have the density required to support the transit systems we have built. Fare box revenue only covers 44% of operating costs in Boston; in Austin, the CMTA only covers 12.4%. And operating costs do not include the cost of capital, which must be massive [ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farebox_recovery_ratio].

-- Edit 's/costs do not cover/costs do not include/'

[extra88]

Do gas taxes cover the costs of road repairs and all other government spending that benefits car owners? Hell, even parking isn't self-supporting, why should transit fares cover all operating costs?

[mbucc]

Wow, they sure don't. In fact, nationwide gas tax and tolls cover about 32% of highway costs. [http://taxfoundation.org/article/gasoline-taxes-and-tolls-pa...]

(But that just says to me our gas taxes should be higher. :)