This would be a total disaster to Leah and me if it were to happen in Guelph. Neither of us drive and are totally dependent on the excellent mass transit in Guelph. Fortunately, the economic crunch in the 'States hasn't really hit Canada yet (Canadian dollar is almost on a par with the U.S. at the moment).
Riders, many disabled, protest bus service cuts Bus riders concerned about 'loss of independence' if lines are cut.
ORANGE – Dozens of riders – many of them disabled young adults – packed a meeting today to protest cuts in bus service.
The Orange County Transportation Authority plans to cut as many as 400,000 hours next year in response to a loss of $272 million in transit revenue over the next five years.
The transit agency is looking to cut about 22 percent of its service by dropping bus lines, reducing the frequency of service and limiting the hours of bus routes.
Many of the protesters complained of a loss of independence, a fear of losing their jobs, and not being able to get to school.
”For the past few weeks, we’ve been gathering feedback – it’s been very humbling and very difficult,” said Ellen Burton, an OCTA executive. “We’re talking about a population that is very reliant on public transit.”
About 53 percent of riders use the bus to get to and from work during the week.
The students – from Saddleback Unified School District’s adult education transitional program – said they use the bus to travel to work, school, and other activities mostly in South County.
Several of the young adults – mostly between 18 and 22 years old -- carried neon-colored signs with the bus route numbers they were most concerned with.
The OCTA has struggled for months with budgetary problems – stemming from a $214-million loss in sales tax revenue dedicated for transportation and the loss of $99 million from the state’s transit assistance fund.
So far this year, OCTA has laid off bus drivers, raised fares and has already cut service hours.
OCTA staff will take comments from today's public hearing and return at a June 8 meeting with recommendations on how they believe service should be cut.
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Comments: 7
Oh I dread if they cut bus service in my little town. I wouldnt be able to go to the store or anything.
Between a rock and a hard spot! California's MAJOR money problems are going to cause a lot of anguish. They need to cut so much funding in a short period of time.. inevitably, folks will feel the pain on LOTS of levels.
Trimet (our mass transit agency here in Portland) has started having meetings about cutting service. It's a concern to me since I prefer public transit, but I know many people who rely on it and don't have cars. I fear that the cuts in all sectors won't be stopping any time soon.
Fortunately, we have a magnificent transit system here and there have been no discussions of service cuts. I know that the Lion's club and the University of Guelph subsidize service for students and the blind, so they're not hurting at the moment. There is almost nowhere in Guelph that I can't easily get to by bus.
Greyhound is also cheap to Toronto or to Kitchener.
That's excellent, Walker. Portland's transit system is pretty good for a west coast American city, but is still quite lacking.
When I lived in Tampa, I didn't drive my car except on weekends for four years. The express bus to downtown (within a block of my office) was a block from my house.
For seven years when I lived in Atlanta, I NEVER drove downtown or to the airport.
I've been a major booster of public transportation for over thirty years.
Bad news travels fast.