byte wrote:The money generated from those advertisements is equal to just another part of the funding shortfall the state/counties have not given Metra (or the CTA), resulting in them having to plaster some corporate namesake on the side of a railcar. I'm disappointed to see these cars go into service with wraps because it doesn't seem like Metra is drawing the line harshly enough that an improved funding scheme needs to be implemented. Solid subsidies should be funding our transit systems, NOT corporate interests whose viability is at the mercy of the markets.
True. However, Metra doesn't really have much of a choice, since our fair state has STILL to yet identify any new funding sources, and the ad-wrapped cars will never completely go away until that happens. And I could rant for the umpteenth time about the wastefulness of RTA's free senior rides program (to the tune of $30M/year), or the untold losses incurred by the $5 weekend pass, plus several other examples that have forced them to buy back older cars while the older cars on ME continue to rust away, but I'll hold my tongue this time for the sake of staying on topic. To wit: If Metra is going to continue with ad-wrapping its cars, I still don't understand why they can't do a three or four car set dedicated only to BNSF. Rotate a car or two on other lines as well, but shouldn't its presence be strongest on your busiest route?