I’m writing to respond to the letter to the editor that accuses BART of not being “pro-rider” [Letters, July 23] Nothing could be further from the truth. We are continuously trying to find new ways to better the riders’ experience.

Let’s start with our amazing new Web site, which just went live a few weeks ago. We spent months working closely with actual riders to improve both the look and functionality of www.bart.gov. Now, riders will find better trip-planning tools, more detailed and user-friendly station information, BART board meeting schedules and packets, as well as videos about how to use the system on BARTtv.

We’ve also enhanced the “mobile lifestyle” for our customers. Our Web site is the first transit site in the Bay Area to provide text message and e-mail alerts to passengers about train delays, news releases, passenger bulletins, etc. And riders with a mobile phone can get real-time information about train arrivals as well access schedules.

But the customer enhancements don’t stop there. On Jan. 1, we increased service by 33 percent on nights and weekends. Now customers have more trains to ride to sporting events, concerts, fairs and other leisure activities. We’re also making it easier to find our stations because we’ve just spent $25,000 putting up directional signs along nearly every major East Bay freeway. Once at a station, riders will soon see more improvements because we’re about to spend $400 million to make over its look and feel.

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With a 95 percent passenger on-time performance and 85 percent customer-satisfaction rating, there’s no question BART is committed to improving the lives of our riders, who are flocking to our trains in droves to avoid high gas prices — no pun intended. (Well maybe a little — smile!)

Linton Johnson

BART spokesman

Mechanics save city money

I am the wife of James Hodgin, one of the firefighters you mentioned in your article (“City seeks to douse overtime,” July 24) concerning overtime at the Bureau of Equipment. What you failed to mention was the fact that these firefighters are highly trained with skills they brought to the Fire Department and are paid the exact salary as all other firefighters at the H-2 level.

My husband is a certified mechanic and welder and uses these skills on a daily basis to maintain the fleet of firetrucks and ambulances and other fire equipment for The City. He is not paid at the rate of a mechanic nor a welder. There is no “shop” open in the middle of the night or on weekends to take the firetrucks in for repairs.

My husband and his colleagues have saved the Fire Department more money than they have earned in salary. Ask to see their log book for these figures. There are hundreds of incidents that these firefighters of the Bureau of Equipment have addressed using their mechanical, electrical, welding and plumbing skills to save The City money. Because they are sorely understaffed is not their fault. We should be thanking them for working these extra hours at a sacrifice to their personal health and family life.

Gretchen W. Merkle

San Francisco

Clarifying a position

Your article of July 24 (“School board battle is on”) misquoted me.

My point was bus service to after-school programs is a great benefit to working families, some of whom can afford to pay for this valuable service that currently is free for everyone.

As with school lunches that are offered on a sliding scale from free to reduced fee to unsubsidized, those who can easily afford to pay for lunches or bus service should be asked to do so in light of severe budget deficits, but the school district must continue to provide free lunches and free busing for those who require it.

Emily Murase

Candidate for S.F. Board

of Education

San Francisco

Solving taxi scarcity

As a longtime Richmond district resident, I know the problem of getting taxis, especially in the Outer Richmond, where my father lived for 49 years until his death in 1996. (“Where are the cabs?,” July 24) Friends and relatives would have to take time off work to take him to doctor appointments.

However, no tinkering around the edges of the San Francisco taxi rules will solve the problem. There is a simple and proven solution — a free market. Artificial entry barriers to the taxi industry — or any other industry — penalize both consumers and entrepreneurs.

The rules to obtain a taxi permit would be simple. All permit holders would be required to have a San Francisco business license, adequate insurance, a safe vehicle inspected by state licensed inspectors and the same driving restrictions as other commercial drivers.

The permit holders could drive themselves or hire others to drive. Fares, which the cab’s owner would determine, would be posted on the outside and inside of the cab. This would lead to more cabs at affordable rates and an end to the regulations debate.

Howard Epstein

Chairman

San Francisco Republican Party 

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