Plans to cut bus service Plans to cut bus service (May 26, 2004)

By Marion Softky
Almanac Staff Writer

Faced with lower revenues and fewer people riding buses, SamTrans is planning to cut service and reduce staff.

Proposed changes to 14 bus routes will be discussed at four public meetings on Thursday, May 27, at 7 p.m. The South County meetings will be held at two locations: the Menlo Park City Council chambers at 801 Laurel St.; and SamTrans headquarters, 1250 San Carlos Ave. in San Carlos.

There will be a formal public hearing on the changes Wednesday, June 9, in San Carlos.

The proposed elimination of four bus routes and schedule changes on 10 others would affect an estimated 376 riders and save about $1.4 million, the district staff estimates.

In the South County, the KX express bus route from Palo Alto to San Francisco would drop the last two evening round-trips on weekends, said Public Affairs Manager Rita Haskin.

Routes to be eliminated serve the South Coast, Brisbane, San Bruno, and San Carlos. All four routes carry 120 riders on an average weekday.

Two late-night routes -- 297 and 397, connecting Redwood City and East Palo Alto with San Francisco International Airport -- would go on probationary status. They will continue to run as long as the airport provides funds, Ms. Haskin said.

SamTrans will also eliminate 47 of 779 staff positions to reflect reduced ridership and lower revenues. Over the last decade, weekday bus ridership has dropped from nearly 70,000 to 48,000. The staff reductions should save about $1.8 million per year, officials said.

On the bright side, SamTrans has received a grant for a new express bus that will carry riders from East Palo Alto and Redwood Shores to the new Millbrae inter-modal station, where Caltrain connects with BART.

INFORMATION

Comments on the changes in bus service may be made at the Thursday meetings, or by calling 1-800-660-4287. Written comments may be e-mailed to changes04@samtrans.com, or mailed to Service Changes, SamTrans Administrative Office, P.O. Box 3006, San Carlos, CA 94070-1306.

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