Sponsorship

Many of the streetcar stops here have business sponsorships -- not an unusual situation I think, but the recorded voice announcing each of the stops as it approaches includes the sponsor (if any), so the ride is one long commercial.

Next stop, Northwest 10th and Couch, sponsored by the Ardea Apartments....Next stop, Northwest 10th and Glisan, sponsored by Debbie Thomas Real Estate....Next stop, Northwest 22nd and Northrup, sponsored by Linfield College....

If the business support helps to subsidize the excellent and cheap public transportation, then I'm all for advertising. But it's still very funny.