Riding the MARC Train
Recently, the idiots at MARC Train "service" have raised our rates from $250/month to $330/month. That's a 34% increase, for those doing the math... overnight. And we're Pissed. "Pissed I Say!" [insert Senator Byrd tone here, waving a finger in the air]
It all started back in December, when some idiot decided to stop the 3rd train out of Union Station (that's Downtown DC for you outta-towners) heading to Martinsburg, West-by-God-Virginia. So, some of us riders said "This is BS, we can only catch that one to get home".
And, we did what most of the public would do, and sent in the government troops (the local reps, that is). They come out with a huge, happy announcement! They're keeping the last train... Hooray, we'll have a day of honor! It'll ONLY cost each west virginia rider $2 per ticket each way! Wa Hooooo!
However... no one did the friggin math! That's a JACK of $80 per month! They raised our rates 34% ... and they're setting off fireworks!
Did i mention that we're pissed???
And, here's where it gets good. MARC train beancounters start throwing out numbers to justify the raise in rates. oh, i guess they must've tossed the 3rd-train-elimination option now that they've got an influx of cash from the wealthy west virginians.
So, we get on the local officials and reps again... Here's a quote from an actual email from one of them (yes, I've still got the email):
And the winner is... Governor Manchin! Step on up! You're the one who's stonewalling this whole thing?! You're the one to blame for us being bent over and jacked by the state of Maryland?! Wow, and to think that us eastern panhandlers bring in THAT MUCH INCOME for the rest of the state to live off of. We make money, we bring it home, and we spend it here. And, as a friend so eloquently put it "... and we vote."
Here's your warning Manchin. Your time is here and now. It's time to step up and represent who put you into office in the first place. It's time to get to work and actually DO SOMETHING. I know it's a novel idea, but you've gotta earn the checks you and the misses are cashing. These same people that you're bending over will have no problem going shopping during election season.
... Which reminds me. Where's Bob Wise when you need him? I still remember eating breakfast with him before a WVU game up at the Ramada... and then seeing him on the newspaper the very next day hanging from a helicopter, and handing groceries to flood victims.
It's as if he remembered who put him into office... go figure. What a novel idea.
It all started back in December, when some idiot decided to stop the 3rd train out of Union Station (that's Downtown DC for you outta-towners) heading to Martinsburg, West-by-God-Virginia. So, some of us riders said "This is BS, we can only catch that one to get home".
And, we did what most of the public would do, and sent in the government troops (the local reps, that is). They come out with a huge, happy announcement! They're keeping the last train... Hooray, we'll have a day of honor! It'll ONLY cost each west virginia rider $2 per ticket each way! Wa Hooooo!
However... no one did the friggin math! That's a JACK of $80 per month! They raised our rates 34% ... and they're setting off fireworks!
Did i mention that we're pissed???
And, here's where it gets good. MARC train beancounters start throwing out numbers to justify the raise in rates. oh, i guess they must've tossed the 3rd-train-elimination option now that they've got an influx of cash from the wealthy west virginians.
So, we get on the local officials and reps again... Here's a quote from an actual email from one of them (yes, I've still got the email):
"Unfortunately, Governor Manchin is adamantly opposed to subsidizing West Virginians who go to work at jobs located out of state. I think that's stupid, but that's what we're dealing with."Finally, we get to the bottom of it. Took me 3 months to Matlock this mystery... but I've got it.
- State Senator's name withheld
And the winner is... Governor Manchin! Step on up! You're the one who's stonewalling this whole thing?! You're the one to blame for us being bent over and jacked by the state of Maryland?! Wow, and to think that us eastern panhandlers bring in THAT MUCH INCOME for the rest of the state to live off of. We make money, we bring it home, and we spend it here. And, as a friend so eloquently put it "... and we vote."
Here's your warning Manchin. Your time is here and now. It's time to step up and represent who put you into office in the first place. It's time to get to work and actually DO SOMETHING. I know it's a novel idea, but you've gotta earn the checks you and the misses are cashing. These same people that you're bending over will have no problem going shopping during election season.
... Which reminds me. Where's Bob Wise when you need him? I still remember eating breakfast with him before a WVU game up at the Ramada... and then seeing him on the newspaper the very next day hanging from a helicopter, and handing groceries to flood victims.
It's as if he remembered who put him into office... go figure. What a novel idea.
posted by Glen Price at
10:43 PM
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