How do you get re-elected to a the board of a transit agency often criticized by riders for its high prices? Say fares should be reduced to thank riders for putting up with recent fare hikes and service cuts.
But it's also a quick way to have shenanigans called on you for electioneering. Recently several BART board of members did just that. They suggested transit riders should be rewarded for suffering through fare hikes.
And BART responded by pointing out the members advocating for the service cuts are also seeking reelection to their board positions. BART's concern is that while their financials are not as bad as first projected, the agency is not out of the woods yet.
At Thursday morning's board meeting, President James Fang picked up on the criticism and turned it into a laughing matter, according to the San Francisco Examiner.
“The ability to express appreciation to our voters … I mean, to our riders," he said with a chuckle.
He moved on from his awkward joke to talk about the importance of customer satisfaction. Joking about the matter may not be the best way to get reelected.
