By Kate Reardon
Herald Writer
Early next year, people will again be able to use Community Transit services on Sundays to get to church, the supermarket or just move around town.
The Community Transit board of directors announced Thursday that Sunday service will resume in February.
The decision follows a successful September ballot measure to increase the sales tax by 0.3 percent within CT boundaries in Snohomish County. Voters approved the tax measure with 53 percent of the vote. Consumers will begin paying the new sales tax Jan. 1.
CT expects to receive an additional $17.5 million to $18 million in revenue for 2002 from the sales tax, and even more in following years, said Tom Pearce, public information coordinator for CT.
The amount is close to what was lost in funding after voters in 1999 approved Initiative 695, which eliminated the motor vehicle excise tax and replaced it with a $30 fee.
The agency lost 28 percent of its funding and laid off 118 people, eliminated weekend service and froze employee wages, Pearce said. At that time, service was cut by 23 percent. Commuter fares increased by 50 percent and vanpool fares by about 80 percent.
The renewal of Sunday service, similar to the agency’s Saturday service, will be at about 90 percent of what CT’s Sunday service was prior to the approval of I-695.
The service will include routes throughout the county.
"September’s vote tells that the public believes a quality transit system is a priority," said Joyce Olson, executive director of CT.
CT also plans to increase other services such as vanpools and park-and-rides by up to 15 percent in the next six years. The money will also provide a permanent funding source for Saturday service, which is currently being paid for by a one-time state grant.
CT also plans to hire additional positions, including bus drivers and mechanics , Pearce said.
You can call Herald Writer Kate Reardon at 425-339-3455
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