I have seen this several times on the Enquirer’s comments section in relation to the streetcar, and while the Enquirer’s comments section too often devolves into nothing but random statements full vitriol and racial animus, this comment got me thinking—what is snobbish about preferring higher quality transportation?
Streetcars attract more riders than buses because they provide a higher quality of service. Streetcars cost more up front than buses because they provide higher quality transportation; you get what you pay for. For operational costs they spread the driver’s salary over 130 people instead of 30 or 40. And, properly maintained, they last forever.
Dinner at Jean-Ro Bistro costs more than a cheese coney; Christian Moerlein costs more than Natural Light—you get what you pay for. Bearcat Football tickets cost more than the Bengals… okay well maybe not everything works this way, but most things do.
Would anyone ever suggest that choosing to take higher quality roads is snobbery?
- “Don’t be a snob, take the Reading Rd. all the way to Mason instead of I-71.”
- “Don’t be a snob, take 2nd Street instead of Fort Washington Way.”
- “Don’t be a snob, use the Brent Spence Bridge until it falls into the river instead of replacing it.”
- “Don’t be a snob, drive slower instead of filling in those potholes.”
- “Don’t be a snob, buy a car without air conditioning.”
- “Don’t be a snob, fly only in propeller-driven airplanes instead of jets.”
Of course not.
Photo from www.metrojacksonville.com