The reputed beneficiary of the continued calls for a flat discount is the commute-only transit rider. In 1998, there will be an average of 21 work days per month (not counting holidays), which works out to a $1.50 per ride wash at the Governor's proposed price of $63 for a monthly transit pass. Whether the commute-only straphanger is mythical or not is impossible to tell -- unfortunately, the Transit Authority seems to have little information on its various rider markets, so the debate is largely one of assertion. The Mayor and Speaker so far seem to have missed the strong point the Governor makes that monthly and weekly passes will induce more transit use -- each additional ride taken with the pass reduces the per trip cost.

But Vallone's offer this week of $25 million in city funds to partially underwrite a 12-for-10 program could make the argument moot. The MTA should take the city's money, and use it to reduce the price of monthly and weekly passes. A $57 monthly pass, for instance, works out to 21 - $1.36 rides.