Metro warns service cuts would affect 80 percent of routes
Nov 7, 2013, 1:00 PM | Updated: 2:17 pm
Without new funding, Metro says it will have to eliminate 74 bus routes and impose service reductions on another 107 routes, amounting to a reduction of 50,000 daily bus trips. (AP file)
(AP file)
Metro Transit is warning of drastic cuts to bus service if state lawmakers don’t allow King County to seek a tax increase.
Without new funding, Metro says it will have to eliminate 74 bus routes and impose service reductions on another 107 routes, which amounts to a reduction of 50,000 daily bus trips. Metro said more than 80 percent of its bus and DART routes would be affected.
“It’s 17 percent cuts, system-wide, that would happen next year starting in the fall,” said King County Council transportation committee chairman Larry Phillips.
Metro Transit director Kevin Desmond wants the state Legislature to authorize a local Motor Vehicle Excise Tax of 1.5 percent, with 40 percent of revenues going to roads and 60 percent to transit.
“Simply give us the authority so that we can and ask our voters: ‘Do you want to save the system and grow the system?’ as they seem to indicate,” said Phillips, who claimed that Metro Transit is more popular than ever, in terms of ridership.
Metro claims the suggested service cuts would put an extra 30,000 cars on the roads.
