By Debra Smith Herald Writer
EVERETT — The public has one last chance to weigh in on Everett Transit service changes at a hearing scheduled for the 6:30 p.m. Everett City Council meeting Wednesday, 3002 Wetmore Ave.
The city bus system has to cut roughly $1.5 million annually from its budget because of declining revenue.
Proposed changes include:
A 25-cent per ride across-the board-increase is proposed. Seniors and disabled riders would pay 25 cents, youths 75 cents and most adults $1.
Service would be eliminated on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Routes 9, 14, 27 and 79 would be eliminated.
Main corridors — Broadway and Evergreen Way — would usually offer service every 30 minutes or better and other service corridors would offer one-hour service or better. Now buses come by about every 20 minutes on the major corridors.
Service changes would take effect Aug. 26. The mayor is responsible for approving the proposal.
The City Council is scheduled to review the proposed fare increases separately. If they are approved, they would take effect Jan. 1.
Everett Transit presented an initial proposal in March. Eight public meetings were held and staff modified the proposal to address some of those comments.
For instance, the original proposal called for doing away with service in the Airport Road area on Sundays. Everett Transit is still cutting Route 9 but is adding more service on Sundays to Route 8, which reaches the same area.
The complete proposed plan is available online at the Everett Transit Web site at www.everettwa.org/transit.
Reporter Debra Smith: 425-339-3197 or dsmith@heraldnet.com.
