March 13, 2010
by Jerome Wilson | Online Staff Writer
The City College light rail station. Photo by Josselin Basaldu
In response to a $13 million deficit in the 2010 fiscal year and an expected $25 million deficit for the 2011 fiscal year, Sacramento Regional Transit District is considering making some changes to public transportation.
A public hearing was held Monday, March 8 at the Regional Transit Auditorium, located at 1400 29th Street. More than 250 public transportation users showed up to address their concerns.
Based on the current state of the economy and decrease in public transportation use, RT fare revenues have declined, said Alane Matsui, RT media representative.
Service changes have been proposed by RT for this summer to help alleviate fiscal deficit. RT is planning a Board of Directors meeting that will be open to the public to discuss possible scenarios.
“One of the scenarios is reducing service to 8 p.m. or eliminating some routes completely,” Masui said.
Option A2 in the Regional Transit Issue Paper Feb. 23 proposed limiting services to route 62 – Freeport Blvd on Saturday.
City College students depend on public transportation to get back and forth from school. If services are cut back students may not have any other option for traveling accommodations. Many RT operators, mechanics and other personnel are at risk of losing their jobs.
If adopted by the RT Board of Directors, changes will begin Sunday, June 20, 2010. The meeting to determine which changes are made, if any, will be held Monday, March 22, 2010.
The location of the meeting is currently being decided. For more information visit www.sacrt.com
Check out http://www.sacrt.com/documents/Board%20Documents/ServiceIssuePaper.pdf for the full report on route shortages.
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