EVERETT — Community Transit announced Nov. 6 that it will seek to restore Sunday and holiday service starting June 7, 2015.
Citing an improved financial outlook, the measures would be part of 27,000 hours of new bus service throughout Snohomish County.
The new proposals, which will be subject of several public hearings in the coming months, don’t restore service to its pre-recession levels.
Community Transit operated about 28,000 hours of Sunday and holiday bus service in 2009, spokesman Martin Munguia said.
The new proposal will add 18,000 hours of Sunday and holiday service.
In 2010, the recession saddled Community Transit with a $5 million budget gap, and the agency discontinued Sunday and holiday services to help close it.
In total, Community Transit eliminated 37 percent of its bus service — about 160,000 hours — and laid off 206 employees, or one-third of the agency’s work force, Munguia said.
In 2014, the agency has seen an increase in sales tax revenue, which covers 65 percent of its budget. Community Transit expects to receive $82.8 million in sales taxes in 2015, about a 6 percent increase over this year.
The Sunday service will be spread broadly throughout the county, and there will be some route changes that reflect the agency’s somewhat better financial situation.
For example, all buses serving the existing U.S. 2 route will now terminate in Gold Bar. Currently some of those buses don’t run as far up the valley.
Another existing route from Granite Falls and Lake Stevens into Everett will be extended to the Everett-Boeing plant.
Other routes will be adjusted county-wide.
“Our board really wanted us to serve more of a geographical coverage, so we are going to serve out to Gold Bar, we are going to go out to Stanwood,” Munguia said.
The increased services are coming at a cost: fares for all adult and DART paratransit services will increase 25 cents, to $2.25 for local routes, $4.25 and $5.50 for commuter routes. Youth and reduced fare categories will remain unchanged.
There will be 16 new routes on Sundays and holidays, similar to the current Saturday schedule.
The transit agency is proposing adding 7,000 hours of new trips along existing routes, mostly in midday our outside of peak hours, so as to not require the purchase of new buses for the new routes.
Community Transit does anticipating hiring more drivers, however. The 2015 budget will allow another 34 drivers to be hired to work the additional routes.
The agency has hired 32 drivers in 2014 so far, and expects another 17 will be trained by the end of the year.
The proposals are part of an overall $133.2 million budget proposal. Other projects items in the budget include replacing 17 articulated buses with larger double-deckers, raising the height of the bay at the McCollum park-and-ride to handle the taller vehicles, and improvements at two Lynnwood park-and-ride lots.
Community Transit will hold four community meetings to answer questions about its proposals for its 2015 budget:
Wednesday, Nov. 19, 6-8 p.m. in the Pilchuck Room of the Marysville YMCA (6420 60th Drive NE);
Thursday, Dec. 4, 4:30-7:30 p.m. in the Mountlake Terrace Library (23300 58th Ave. W);
Wednesday, Dec. 10., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Weyerhaeuser Room of Everett Station (3201 Smith Ave.);
Thursday, Dec. 11, 4:30-7:30 p.m. in the Snohomish County PUD Monroe office (120 E Fremont St.).
The board of directors will hold a public hearing at 3 p.m. Jan. 8, 2015, at Community Transit Headquarters (7100 Hardeson Road, Everett), and will accept public comments through Friday, Jan. 9. Comments may be sent via email to 2015changes@commtrans.org, by calling 425-353-7433, or by mail to Community Transit, 7100 Hardeson Road, Everett, WA 98203.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
