Route 247 is spared from transit cuts, reduced by half

Though Community Transit’s no. 247 days are numbered stopping at Stanwood’s park and ride, a route will make one stop near I-5. PHOTO BY KELLY RUHOFF | STANWOOD/CAMANO NEWS The voices of riders on Community Transit’s (CT) bus no. 247 were heard at a series of public meetings and through written comments.

CT’s board of directors considered more than 100 comments regarding their proposal to eliminate the popular Stanwood to Boeing route.

On Thursday, the board passed a modified version of service reductions, saving two out of the four current no. 247 round trips. The proposed modifications will serve Boeing start times at 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. However, the only stop will occur at the Stanwood Park and Ride at Interstate 5.

Directed by comments from board member and Stanwood Mayor Dianne White, the board will consider impacts of reinstating service to downtown Stanwood at their regular meeting in April.

For White, the importance of maintaining some level of service for work-based commuters is at the heart of Community Transit’s mission.

“Part of the purpose of transit is to serve the people who are going to work,” said White. Cutting the route “flies in the face of the mission of serving our citizens.”

The vanpool program was suggested by CT officials as an option for riders of eliminated routes.

White questioned the feasibility of the alternative.

“To ask Boeing employees to be responsible to drive a van after working a 12-hour shift is difficult,” she said.

Joe Marine, vice chair of the CT board and mayor of Mukilteo, said nobody was purposely being singled out in the decision to make cuts.

“If I’m pruning a tree, I’m going to cut the limb with the least amount of fruit,” said Marine. “We’re not trying to leave people stranded, we are looking for efficiency.” Community Transit was forced to carve out efficiency to close a $5 million gap in the agency’s current budget and save an additional $11 million in 2011. The board of directors unanimously voted 9 - 0 to suspend Sunday and major holiday service, cut service by 15 percent and institute a fair increase of 25 cents.

Citing a drop in revenue from sales tax — current revenues are down 20 percent from 2007 — CT already decreased $14 million in spending the past two years before considering service reductions, said Dave Gossett, board chair and Snohomish County Council chair.

“We did our best to avoid cutting service for two years, but we can no longer do that,” he said. “We looked at every alternative to suspending Sunday and holiday service, but the other options were even more painful. As soon as funding is available, we will bring back these important issues.”

Changes in service will go into effect June 13. Fare increases start on June 1.

Although two no. 247 trips have been spared, it remains unclear if they will be reinstated should CT find adequate funding.

It was reported to the NEWS in January by CT spokesman Martin Munguia that reinstating Sunday and holiday services are priorities.

As suggested by Gossett, the board did approve a $50,000 fund that could be used by community organizations to help alleviate the impact of cutting service to people getting to church. Many disabled riders use CT’s Dial-a-Ride transit (DART), which is part of the cuts.

In an effort get local organizations involved in transporting riders with special needs, CT is granting free vehicles to nonprofits and churches in Snohomish County. Twelve surplus vehicles, vans and buses with and without wheelchair lifts, are available through the Van GO program, said Joyce Eleanor, chief executive officer of CT.

“We’re very sorry that the financial situation we are in has resulted in cuts to our service, but we are committed to helping our riders find alternatives to get around,” said Eleanor.

This is the second time CT has decided to cut Sunday service. From 2000 to 2002, the agency cut the service after car-tab fees were reduced by the state under Initiative 695.

In addition to affecting riders, CT officials estimate 55 layoffs within its core of 375 drivers. Representing the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) local 1576, Rick Jurkovic, ATU vice president, said the union opposes the cuts.

“I was hired in 2001 to bring back Sunday service,” said Jurkovic. “It’s my ‘baby’ so to speak. I’m worried about people relying on the service.”

Driving the no. 247 for years, Jurkovic also raised concern about changes for commuters.

“I know personally, many passengers rely on this service,” he said.

The board of directors will meet again in April to discuss extending no. 247 service into Stanwood. Currently, the Stanwood/I-5 park and ride location is averaging parking levels at 90 percent capacity, according to CT. Officials from CT said Island Transit was contacted and confirmed usable space on their buses for riders to the location. However, White said CT was misinformed.

White said she met with Martha Rose, executive director of Island Transit, and heard conflicting information.

“Rose said Island Transit could not handle the volume of riders that Community Transit is expecting,” said White.

She suggested CT continue talks with Island Transit prior to the board meeting in April.

For a complete list of service changes, visit www. communitytransit.org or call 425-353-RIDE. Carpool or vanpool information is available at 888- 814-1300. Applications and more details about the Van Go program are available at www.communitytransit.org/ vango. Applications must be submitted by April 30.

Staff Reporter Adam Stewart: 629-8066 ext. 115 or astewart@scnews.com.