The Community Transit Board of Directors made final modifications to two Boeing routes and completed a service change plan that will see 15 percent of all Community Transit service cut effective June 13. The plan, passed April 1, includes suspension of Sunday and major holiday service, as well as other cuts needed to close a $5 million gap in the agency’s budget this year and an $11 million shortfall in 2011.
A major part of the overall service reduction is suspending all Sunday and major holiday service. Starting June 13, bus and paratransit service will not operate on Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Memorial Day in addition to Sundays.
Community Transit refers to these reductions as suspensions because the agency intends to restore service as soon as financially possible. It is pursuing a variety of funding sources and options that could possibly provide revenue to restore the service.
Last month, the board approved a 25-cent fare increase for local bus and paratransit service that takes effect June 1.
The new changes reflect input from the community about changes to two early morning routes to Boeing’s Everett plant from Stanwood and Gold Bar. Board members last month asked agency staff to look at possible solutions to keep service from those communities that still met the agency’s budget goals.
Details of the final service plan area available at www.communitytransit.org/servicechange.
Like transit agencies nationwide, Community Transit has lost a significant portion of its sales tax revenue due to the economic recession. Current revenues are down about 20 percent from 2007 levels. Community Transit cut $14 million in spending the past two years before considering service cuts.
This week, the American Public Transportation Association released a report outlining the extent to which transit agencies across the nation are being affected by economic conditions. The report shows that since Jan. 1, 2009, 84 percent of public transit systems have raised fares, cut service or are considering either of those actions. Fifty-nine percent of public transit systems reported they already have cut service or raised fares. The severity of the funding situation is evident with nearly seven out of 10 public transit systems (69 percent) projecting budget shortfalls in their next fiscal year. The report is available at www.apta.com.
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