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Politics & Government

Pierce Transit Board Makes Cuts Official

Users of Route 220 through Tacoma, Fircrest and Lakewood saw service eliminated.

Users  of Pierce Transit's Route 220 through Tacoma, Fircrest and Lakewood saw their bus route eliminated, part of proposed service cuts that the agency's directors made official Monday night.

Riders who rely on public bus service in other outlying portions of Pierce Transit’s 400-square-mile service area -- including Key Peninsula and Olympia -- also were unfortunate and will see service curtailed in early October.

On Monday night, riders from every corner of Pierce County converged on Pierce Transit headquarters in Lakewood to voice objection to the agency’s proposed cuts.

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More than 140 people attended the public hearing, with nearly 100 of them addressing the board. Some came bearing signs opposing service cuts and many showed up in wheelchairs and motorized carts.

Also on hand were riders from Pierce Transit’s core area in Lakewood and Gig Harbor, who likewise shared the message: “Don’t cut our lifeline.”

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Following public comments, the board decided -- with a few minor tweaks -- to eliminate Routes 406, 407, 408, 409 and Orting Loop in East Pierce County; 113 and 601 in Gig Harbor/Key Peninsula; 444 in Parkland/Spanaway; 413, 446 and 490 in Puyallup, and 26, 59, 61, 220 and 603A in Tacoma.

Agency planner Tina Lee said the service cuts were fashioned around ideas of efficiency, higher ridership and regional connections. Based on earlier public comments and the board’s instructions last month, Monday’s proposals focused on getting people to jobs and school, expanding Saturday service, maintaining regional connections, serving the most vulnerable riders and providing service for military personnel and veterans.

Many of the speakers were concerned about changes in shuttle service for the handicapped and elderly. Under the latest proposal, shuttle reductions are parallel to the fixed-route cuts.

“Where bus service is reduced or eliminated, shuttle service will be reduced or eliminated,” stated one information sheet, handed out at the meeting.

Lakewood resident Jean Thomas said she came to the meeting to encourage the board not to cut the shuttle service she relies on.

“I ride an oversized power chair that won’t fit on a regular bus,” she said. “I’m reduced to riding the shuttle. I’m more concerned about senior citizens and the disabled, who don’t have family members who can help them go shopping, go to the doctor, get food and go to church.

“This is our lifeline.  If we don’t have the shuttles and buses, we can’t go anywhere.”

Outside the meeting, Thomas said the board should go back to voters with another tax proposal. The measure might have a better chance of passing the second time, she said.

Last month, the board . The board at that time ordered a permanent 20-percent service reduction this week and also asked staff to return Monday with recommendations for another 15 percent in cuts to be implemented in October.

Lee reiterated Monday that flagging sales-tax revenues and the recession are to blame for Pierce Transit’s financial problems. The agency, which anticipated a $51-million deficit through next year, depends on sales-tax for 70 percent of its revenue.

Compounding its woes, the agency was  earlier this year to pass a tax increase to help Pierce Transit close the funding gap.

Meanwhile, Pierce Transit already , a 22 percent reduction in management, 8 percent in service reductions and two fare increases in 2009 and 2010.  It also suspended special-event service and eliminated cost-of-living and step/wage increases in for non-union workers for the last two years.

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