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Bus service likely to be curtailed in Marin due to budget shortfall
Marin Independent Journal
By March, bus service is likely to be trimmed back on 10 Marin Transit District bus routes as part of an 8 percent budget reduction, and the soft economy and state budget crisis are to blame. Citing an expected $1.1 million shortfall for the 2010-11 fiscal year, the district's board of directors Monday approved four public workshops, starting Thursday in Novato, to receive feedback on proposed route changes all over the eastern portion of Marin. Funding losses and increased service costs would lead to a $16 million deficit - more than half the district's $30 million budget - in the next 10 years if adjustments aren't made, and fare increases wouldn't come close to covering the differential.
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Vallejo, Benicia could unify bus transit systems
Oakland Tribune
The Vallejo City Council will review a proposal this week that would unify its and Benicia's bus systems. According to a memorandum of understanding, such a move could provide a competitive edge in seeking regional transportation funds, streamlined pricing for riders, staffing cutbacks and overhead cost reduction. If approved, the bus transit systems could be consolidated by July 1. The Vallejo ferry service would not be included in the plan.
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Ray of Hope Leads AC Transit to Delay Bus Line Cuts
The Berkeley Daily Planet
The financially embattled AC Transit Bus District, which only two weeks ago decided to risk delay or possible abandonment of its long-planned, signature Bus Rapid Transit project in order to hold off some of its painful January bus service and personnel cuts, saw a glimmer of hope this week that it might be able to keep BRT essentially on track while preventing the worst of the cuts. On Wednesday night, the AC Transit board was scheduled to consider a recommendation by AC Transit General Manager Rick Fernandez to delay any service cuts or personnel from the first of January until mid-March in order to give the district time to sort out the slightly brightening financial situation. Part of the guardedly good news AC Transit is now considering is a recent California Supreme Court decision affirming an appeals court ruling that the State of California, since the 2007-08 budget, has illegally shifted at least $1.19 billion—and possibly as much as $4.19 billion—in tax money that California voters had intended in four separate statewide initiatives to go for mass transit projects in the state.
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E-tran riders organize, set sights on state government
Elk Grove Citizen
After almost two months of battling with route cuts, crowded buses and the brief scare of a potential fee increase for commuter routes, many e-tran riders are doing something about it. On Oct. 12, about two dozen riders of Elk Grove’s public transit system gathered at the Elk Grove City Council Chambers, 600-signature petition in hand, to discuss possible solutions and their next step. California’s Supreme Court two weeks ago let stand an appellate court decision that ruled the state illegally took billions of dollars from funding guaranteed for local transit agencies, but it’s unclear how or if groups like e-tran will get that money back. Jeff Wagner, communications director for the transit association that filed the lawsuit, said there’s no way to predict for sure what will happen.
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