Community Transit proposes service changes

If the Community Transit Board approves the proposal, fare increases will go into effect on June 1. Changes in service, including the elimination of bus no. 247, will begin June 13. PHOTO BY KELLY RUHOFF | STANWOOD/CAMANO NEWS James Moran of Camano Island has been riding Community Transit’s bus no. 247 to Boeing for the past five years. He said it saved him about $3,500 last year.

Three routes take approximately 150 riders from Stanwood to Everett’s Boeing plant each business day.

Community Transit recently notified riders that no. 247 from Stanwood will be discontinued as of June due to budget constraints.

“It’s not good,” said Moran. “It’s very shortsighted of them.”

Although Jacqueline Rainwater of Camano Island is not a Boeing employee, she has ridden Community Transit to Boeing for the last year and then walks to her job at nearby Mukilteo. She takes the bus for financial reasons.

“It’s a lot cheaper,” said Rainwater. “It seems a bad time to change when the economy is so bad. Why would they cut a route that is so full?”

A full bus or not, the elimination of routes and a 25 cent increase in local fares are a direct result of the economy, said Martin Munguia, public information officer for Community Transit.

Community Transit relies on sales tax revenue for 70 percent of its funding. Due to the recession, the operation has reported an estimated $180 million drop in revenue.

In combining services through the elimination of routes, the new proposal is a plan for long-term sustainability.

Routes 247 from Stanwood and 227 out of Arlington will converge with route 207 out of Smokey Point for a combined total of five roundtrips to Boeing.

“By cutting out those legs,” said Munguia, “Community Transit is trying to find ways to save money by bringing people together.”

Some riders aren’t buying it.

Rainwater suspects Community Transit may be pressuring Boeing into further subsidizing the route. Boeing currently subsidizes bus service from outlying areas to its Everett facility.

Other Community Transit customers are concerned with potential impacts on traffic and the environment.

Mel Hutchinson of Camano Island has been riding no. 247 for more than three years. He said cutting the service doesn’t make environmental sense.

“It saves 150 cars from being on that road each day,” said Hutchinson. “During shift change, I-5 is gridlocked.”

Alternative routes and the vanpool program are options for displaced riders, said Munguia.

Vans provided by Community Transit can accommodate eight- to 12-people already congregating at park and ride locations. The Boeing public transportation incentive covers up to $30 in vanpool fare each month for employees.

“We do recognize for some people it won’t work out,” he said. “We’re trying to impact as few passengers as possible.”

On Feb. 4, Community Transit’s board of directors will hold a public hearing on the proposal at its regular monthly meeting, 3 p.m. in the Community Transit Board Room, 7100 Hardeson Road, Everett.

If the board approves the proposal, fare increases will go into effect on June 1. Changes in service, including the elimination of bus no. 247, will start on June 13.

Specific suspended changes, such as the elimination of Sunday and holiday services, will return when funds become available, said Munguia.

However, the elimination of bus no. 247 isn’t set as a prioritized route for reinstatement in the current proposal, he added. The convergence of Boeing routes may be permanent.

For regular riders, the news is discouraging.

“It doesn’t make any sense to cut a route that is successful,” said Moran. “They need to figure out a better plan than the proposal.”

A series of public hearings will continue today at the Everett Station Weyerhaeuser Room, 3201 Smith Avenue, Everett, at 10 a.m.; on Wednesday, Jan. 20 at the Monroe School District Administration Building, 200 E. Fremont Street, Monroe, at 5:30 p.m.; and on Jan. 26 at the Mountlake Terrace Library, 23300 58th Avenue West, Mountlake Terrace, at 6:30 p.m. For more information about Community Transit, visit www.commtrans. org, or call 425-353-7433.

Editor Kelly Ruhoff contributed to this report.

Staff Reporter Adam Stewart: 629-8066 ext. 115