Downtown park and ride will remain a stop for route 247
By ADAM STEWART Staff Reporter
Riders on Community Transit’s (CT) bus no. 247 may be rubbing a few more elbows due to a reduction in routes, but they will still be able to catch the bus at the Stanwood II Park and Ride location at 267th Street NW near Marine Drive.
The original reduction plan to cut 15 percent of CT’s service eliminated all Stanwood to Boeing routes. In March, board members spared two of the four existing roundtrips but tentatively eliminated
the downtown stop.
The idea, which would have forced commuters to battle for limited parking spots at the Stanwood I Park and Ride near I-5 concerned board member and Stanwood Mayor Dianne White.
Citing the need to serve work-based commuters, White voiced her disapproval of the plan and encouraged board members to reconsider maintaining the downtown service.
At the regular meeting on Thursday, CT staff presented possible solutions to continue route 247 down SR 532 while maintaining budget goals.
The final modifications to save current routes serving 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. start times at Boeing’s Everett plant were approved.
Additional morning Boeing routes stemming from Monroe and Gold Bar were also voted in.
According to CT’s Web site, exact times for the routes will be available online May 1.
The unanimous vote to maintain some level of service for regional employees was praised by White.
“This sends a political message to Boeing.” she said. “We want you here.”
Currently, buses to Boeing leave CT’s bus yard at 3 a.m. to facilitate routes from Stanwood for employees starting the 5:30 a.m. shift. Under the new plan, effective June 13, the earliest no. 247 bus will leave the yard at 4 a.m. to accommodate the 6 a.m. shift, Boeing’s largest morning influx of employees.
The reduction of operating hours is part of CT’s plan to close a $5 million gap in the agency’s current budget and a projected $11 million shortfall in 2011.
Community Transit is offering vanpools for groups of early shift employees who currently ride route 247 before 6 a.m.
In 2009, the four roundtrips from Stanwood averaged 240 boardings per day, roughly 120 people.
For more information
about route modifications,
visit www.commtrans.org.
Staff Reporter Adam
Stewart: 629-8066 ext. 115
or astewart@scnews.com.
