Save money with meter reader plan

Talk about a waste of ratepayer money!

The Snohomish County PUD provides each of its meter readers a pick-up and a bicycle to read the meters of houses 20 feet apart. I watch as the meter readers drive from one house to the other getting in and out of their truck after backing into each and every driveway. The time spent just with getting in and out of the vehicle must amount to a great deal.

I asked a meter reader why they needed either he responded, “The pick-up was needed because it was the fastest way to get the job done.” When I asked about using the bicycle he responded, “I’m not going to ride in this weather!” (It was a cloudy day.)

I remember how PGE in Portland handled this situation: They gave their meter readers bus fare and sent them to their designated areas to do their job.

I also remember being an Everett Herald carrier delivering heavy newspapers on foot, without rain gear in all kinds of weather. I’m pretty sure the PUD supplies rain gear to its employees who have to work outside.

Now, I can understand why vehicles are needed for rural areas but I don’t understand why meter readers couldn’t be give an ORCA card and rain gear and sent on their merry way and get some healthful walking in like the old days. Bicycles could be used exclusively because every bus has bike racks.

Just think of the money that could be saved by incorporating this method of meter reading.

Wes Dawson

Everett