Delaware residents are distressed by increases in property taxes and utility bills. This is understandable, given the fact that core inflation remains stubbornly high. Some public officials are sensitive to affordability concerns and have taken measures to mitigate them. Problem is, their actions are often unwise and misguided.
Here’s an example:
Delaware secretary of transportation Shanté Hastings is among those in Gov. Matt Meyer’s Cabinet who has undertaken firm, resolute initiatives to mitigate financial burdens that penalize Delawareans.
As a portion of her larger austerity campaign, Ms. Hastings announced last year that the ticket window for SEPTA/DART trains in the Wilmington station would be closed. This was accomplished Dec. 31, 2025.
In a prepared statement, Ms. Hastings informed her constituency that substantial savings would be realized. Elimination of the ticket window would save this state’s taxpayers $35,000 a year. This comes down to about 45¢ a taxpayer.
When broken down, the amount saved borders on the ludicrous. That will buy you 45 minutes at a parking meter. It will also buy a plastic keychain at a discount store. For those afflicted with a sweet tooth, area gumball machines are averaging 45 cents for a standard-size one.
The rail passengers who once patronized the ticket window are mostly poor. Many of them are older women. They are disproportionately non-White. They don’t own cars. Public transit is their sole option. They often had inquiries that required verbal responses.
And, as concerns all the electronic alternatives to ticket windows operated by humans, Ms. Hastings maintains that these are ubiquitous, convenient and efficient. Never mind that most poor Delawareans don’t have credit cards. They don’t own cellphones. Many don’t even have bank accounts. They live completely off the grid in a poor person’s analog world, where cash is the sole medium of exchange.
A memorandum is circulating in the legislature that proposes to reopen and enlarge this ticketing space. In the new version, older adults would be rendered special assistance, if needed. One can hope that enlightened elected officials will approve this.
Harvey Clark Greisman
Wilmington
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
