Tag Archives: econ

When should public transportation systems be private?

A recent episode of Russ Roberts’ EconTalk podcast featured a wonderful intersection of interests: economics, public policy and public transit. One of Russ’ academia friends, economist Michael Munger, speaks at length on the program about the public transportation system quality … Continue reading

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More Bay to Breakers

This is a continuation of a previous post. Toward the end of my shift, around 3pm, I picked up an elderly Chinese couple hailing on the street downtown. They were heading all the way out to the deep Richmond on … Continue reading

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You’re richer than you think.

While sitting in the queue to pay the toll for the Bay Bridge Monday, I heard two great counterintuitive pieces on KQED. The first was a thoughtful comparison between our quality of life now compared to the distant past. It … Continue reading

Posted in econ, happiness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Cab earnings update: seasonal rise in demand for taxis offsets increased fuel and gate costs.

San Francisco cab drivers face two recent cost pressures: a recent gate fee increase combined with the recent climb in gas prices. Fortunately, these cost pressures come at a time when aggregate demand for taxis in the City is increasing. … Continue reading

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Website highlights financial stress of driving a taxi in the City

I point your temporary attention to a Flash website produced by UC Berkeley j-school grad students Eric Zassenhaus and Amy Jeffries. The video clips thumbnailed along the bottom are accurate and colorful paintings of a typical taxi shift. Well worth … Continue reading

Posted in econ, politics, taxi, transit | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Energy independence” is silly. We must use less energy regardless of its source.

My unwavering allegiance to the American Public Media radio program Marketplace was made ever tighter by a clear and compelling opinion piece by Jerry Taylor of the Cato Institute. The piece is written so concisely I can do no better … Continue reading

Posted in econ, media, politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Fire destroys low-income resident’s apartment. Archaic rent control forces her to leave City.

The Chronicle has a touching and well-written article about the aftermath of the Mission District fire that completely destroyed a 30-unit apartment building Monday evening. Central to the article is the story of Griselda Paleo. Ms. Paleo is 59 and … Continue reading

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Hey, SFMTA, please double residential parking fees and introduce traffic congestion fees.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is a bureaucratic whale, containing, in separate stomachs, the Department of Parking and Traffic (DPT) and the San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni) public transit system. Recently, the SFMTA crunched some numbers and said, … Continue reading

Posted in econ, politics, transit | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Ignore the Hillary/Obama charades: NAFTA is good.

Marketplace painted a nice picture of Obama and Hillary’s voracious battle for the crown of ultimate NAFTA hater. This is frustrating. Yes, they’re in Ohio. Yes, they have to cater to the lowest common denominator. Instead, they should rise up … Continue reading

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Politicians forget (ignore?) basic economics.

Let’s rewrite a few headlines to illustrate the point. Case 1 The original headline reads, “Supervisor looks to limit liquor licenses.” Supervisor Gerardo Sandoval seeks to add a ballot measure banning any future City liquor licenses. This headline should read, … Continue reading

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