I think part of the C&TS problem is they have seen the enemy and it is themselves. Why is it necessary for commissioners like Ray Medina to spout off about what could or could not happen to the press? All it does is generate a lot more anxiety and negative PR that serves no constructive purpose. The commission hired an Executive director (Leo Schmitz) why can’t they let him do his job which should include communications with the media. The commission needs to set policy and approve the implementation by the director, micro managing the press shouldn’t be in the commission’s job description IMHO.
“The busses return riders to the city of their departure and account for 25 percent of the railroad’s annual budget. According to Medina the buses are a large expense for C&TSR and yet serve only a small number of patrons.”
Something doesn’t sound right here as John Craft noted in the linked post, busses accounted for 50% of the ridership several years ago. Further what seems to be missing from all these discussions is THE most important factor: The CUSTOMER. It sort of reminds me of Donald Trumps’ TV apprentices who go flying off every week creating some gee-wiz marketing plan without ever consulting the actual customer. What have past ridership survey’s found about what the customers wanted and liked about the trip? I think John Craft’s observations go to the heart of issue; if a majority of people want a return trip by bus then eliminating this just doesn’t make economic sense.
I repeat again, the commission & director need to bring in some marketing firepower now (consultants) and do the research to make sure the product they are going to offer in 2006 meets the customer requirements; all 50,000 of them : )
Rod Jensen
[www.ngdiscussion.net]
