I work in Communications for Community Transit, but I am also a bus rider. The current service change plan proposes to cut one of the routes I take every week: Route 207.
Change is a theme in transit, as in life. This won’t be the first time a route I ride has been cut. In 2000, after Community Transit lost car tab money from the state, “my” Route 250 between Marysville and Lynnwood was eliminated. I call it “my” route because a lot of us get possessive about our service and take it personally when things change. I also call it “mine” because I was often the only one on the relatively new bus route for its entire length. I saw that cut coming, and as a taxpayer, I couldn’t complain.
With the change, I switched to taking a combination of Routes 210 and 610 to work once or twice a week. It took a lot of travel time, but I did read “Moby Dick” along the way. Then in 2003, Community Transit restructured service in Everett, and the 210 became the 200, 201 and 202.
That 201 between Lynnwood, Everett and Marysville is sort of proof that sometimes a little change or a little time can make all the difference in the success of a route. The service planners who had tried and failed with “my” Route 250 hit a homerun with Route 201, which is now one of our top five ridership routes.
With the public comment period still open (2010changes@commtrans.org) and the board yet to make a decision, we don’t know for sure what Community Transit routes will change this June. But change must happen, to balance our budget and in the long run, to continue to provide Snohomish County with the best transportation options possible.
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Are you kidding me with this post? What a joke. "Continue to provide Snohomish County with the best transportation options possible." Now that is laughable. I'm sure cutting Sunday service, forcing commuters (i.e. Marysville to Seattle, 421) to drive to crowded Park N Rides, AND adding a stop in Lynnwood each way is NOT the "best transportation options possible."
ReplyDeleteNo way in heck should the company cut Sunday service.
ReplyDeleteI also learn my experience through the years on Community Transit. People need to be creative to ride Community Transit.
ReplyDeleteQ: where should I wait for my bus when I am going to Ash Way Park & Ride in the afternoon from downtown Seattle?
A: I wait at Time Square. From there, I can see buses coming from Stewart (#413) and 4th (#415 and #511).
We are a one car family and I do not know how my husband and I are supposed to make it to work at different times in the morning without our commuter bus (406). Additionally, the park and rides are already crowded.
ReplyDeleteThis coming from a person who's job is safe from the layoffs.
ReplyDeleteThis post sounds like a "plant."
ReplyDeleteBut, it also is reminiscent of the typical Tory attitude, "Screw you Jack, I've got mine."
My guess is, the poster is in no danger of losing her job.
Please note some of the routes(i.e. 247) are commuter routes that run full or have standing passengers quite often. That route also uses articulating buses so this represents a large number of commuters. I have some concern that cutting full buses while maintaining/adding frequency on routes that are already heavily served is a poor choice of budget (ie along Evergreen Way, etc).
ReplyDeleteKristin says: I saw that cut coming, and as a taxpayer, I couldn’t complain.
ReplyDelete+++++
No, you shouldn't complain. You apparently have the luxury of an alternative option to get you to work, since it sounds like you don't ride the bus everyday to/from work.
Your cavalier attitude is obvious in your post. Some people don't have an option, the bus is their only means to get to work, and they may work on weekends. Do you realize what that does to a person -- to her family, her ability to pay the rent, to buy food, clothe her children, when the only transportation available to her is cut?
You can read your "Moby Dick" and mock those less fortunate than you are.
But, remember YOUR SALARY IS PAID FOR WITH PUBLIC FUNDS -- so get off your high horse -- BECAUSE YOUR SALARY IS PAID WITH OUR MONEY! Not that I am advocating this, BUT IF WE ALL STOPPED RIDING THE BUS, YOUR WOULD BE OUT OF A JOB!
So......since you work in Communications, Kristin, could you "communicate" your take on last night's meeting for the edification of riders, drivers, concerned citizens, and other interested parties?
ReplyDeleteThat'd be a wonderful service.
Cutting Sundays is one of the worst ideas proposed so far. A lot of us work on Sundays--hospital staff, vet clinic staff, retail, etc. How will we get to work? It's bad enough a lot of the buses are just once an hour. I was happy that the Swift bus would be twice an hour on Sundays--well if you cut that, I guess it's not going to be worth too much to me.
ReplyDeleteReally, Swift seems like a waste of money to me, if you are going to cut back on early morning, late evening or especially Sundays altogether. There is already the bus 101 for SR 99. I don't mind an increase in bus fare, but if you cut off Sundays, I going to feel as if I'm ripped off.
This is also going to affect those looking for jobs already. Not being available to work Sunday shifts is going to be a real blow to the community, for those that work on Sundays, and those looking for jobs. Not everyone owns a car, you know.
Shut the heck up! Would you rather go for six months without your service or keep the service and then in six months, the company shuts down and you have NO buses?! I say quite complaining and find a way to make do! You are not children, act more mature!
ReplyDelete