Budget woes force county to slash Metro service
SEATTLE -- County officials say dwindling tax revenue is forcing them to cut a number of Metro bus routes, and that decision isn't sitting well with many riders.
Dozens of metro riders showed up to a Monday King County Council meeting to protest the proposed cuts, but councilmember Julia Patterson said budget problems have made the move necessary.
"We know that everyone wants more bus service, but we don't have the funding to provide those services everywhere," she said.
One of the routes on the chopping block was the 42, which serves many low-income communities in south Seattle.
At Monday's meeting, riders called the bus service a lifeline that shouldn't be cut.
"I need to go to the doctor almost every day and then I need to go to the food bank to have food for my family. Without that bus, I will get lost and don't know where to go," Vo Khoe said through a translator.
Metro officials have pledged to use their shrinking budget as efficiently as possible. The plan approved Monday will eliminate 10 lesser-used routes while beefing up service on busier routes.
"It also means that there are many routes in King County where service will be increased," Patterson said. "Where people who have been waiting for a very, very long time. And in the end many more people will be served."
After hearing testimony from angry customers, the council decided to give route 42 a year-long reprieve so customers can find alternative transportation.
Ten other routes were not so lucky and will soon be cut.
Dozens of metro riders showed up to a Monday King County Council meeting to protest the proposed cuts, but councilmember Julia Patterson said budget problems have made the move necessary.
"We know that everyone wants more bus service, but we don't have the funding to provide those services everywhere," she said.
One of the routes on the chopping block was the 42, which serves many low-income communities in south Seattle.
At Monday's meeting, riders called the bus service a lifeline that shouldn't be cut.
"I need to go to the doctor almost every day and then I need to go to the food bank to have food for my family. Without that bus, I will get lost and don't know where to go," Vo Khoe said through a translator.
Metro officials have pledged to use their shrinking budget as efficiently as possible. The plan approved Monday will eliminate 10 lesser-used routes while beefing up service on busier routes.
"It also means that there are many routes in King County where service will be increased," Patterson said. "Where people who have been waiting for a very, very long time. And in the end many more people will be served."
After hearing testimony from angry customers, the council decided to give route 42 a year-long reprieve so customers can find alternative transportation.
Ten other routes were not so lucky and will soon be cut.
Learn about changes coming to commenting