Pierce Transit officials announced today that due to the anticipated schedule for repair of the fueling station, Pierce Transit cannot return to regular service levels prior to beginning the planned service reductions. Emergency reduced service will continue to operate through June 11, 2011.
As a result of the economic recession and failure of Proposition 1, the Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners directed staff to implement a 35 percent reduction in service by October 2011 to address the agency’s budget shortfall. Since February 28, 2011, a fire in Pierce Transit’s compressed natural gas fueling station has significantly reduced the agency’s ability to operate the regular weekday service schedule. Regular service has been reduced by approximately 20 percent as a result. Repairs to the fueling station will take several months and the agency will be unable to return to regular service levels prior to implementing permanent reductions. The plan begins with a 20 percent reduction on June 12, 2011, and a 15 percent reduction on Oct. 2, 2011. The June 2011 service change will begin to incorporate elements of the reduction plan. These service levels will be similar to the current emergency reduced service levels. Details of the June service change will be published in The Bus Stops Here booklet available at the usual locations in early June. Beginning April 2, the Reduction Plan Rider Alert pamphlet will be available on-board buses, at Bus Shop locations, at Pierce Transit Headquarters, and at http://www.piercetransit.org . This pamphlet provides route-by-route information about the proposed service reductions. SHUTTLE paratransit service for people with disabilities will also be reduced on October 2, 2011. This service operates on the same days and during the same time within three-quarters of a mile of bus routes. As bus service is reduced, SHUTTLE service will be reduced.
Public hearings are scheduled throughout April at five different locations to allow the public to comment on the June and October service reductions. Transit users and the community are encouraged to attend a Public Hearing to have their voice heard by the Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners.
For more information, visit http://www.piercetransit.org or call Customer Service at (253) 581-8000.
