Gee, ya think? The MSM finally catches up to what we’ve all been saying would happen for years now, and most especially during the last budget cycle when Mayor Pave rammed through a draconian 33% increase in bus fares. Fares go up; ridership goes down. It’s the ol’ supply & demand. Econ 101, people.

But the MSM never would have noticed it had former alder–and Mayor Pave’s bête noir– Brenda Konkel not posted her analysis last Friday. Once again, the intrepid blogging masses are driving the news cycle and keeping lazy journalists in check. I mean, that article was sheer sycophancy. Not one person outside of the mayor’s circle was quoted. I’m predicting that Joe Tarr will be the next communications director for Mayor Pave.

In any case, looking at the numbers on ridership, I said as much in an Isthmus column last year before budget time:

The loss of bus ridership due to rising fares and declining service means more congestion, longer commute times and less available parking for everyone who drives.

A lot of us said as much. Too bad we’ve got a mayor who is incapable of listening. To sense.