Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

The agency’s plan to cut 10% of its workforce and 28% of its annual service hours in September received a backlash from the public, and spurred a union vote of no confidence in the CEO. The cuts are a result of a sales tax increase measure that was rejected by voters in November.

Could be forced to eliminate 65 bus routes and reduce service on 86 others if the state Legislature fails to approve new revenue sources this session. Authorization for a temporary two-year Congestion Reduction Charge that would fully fund the transit agency will soon expire.

CountyLink, Peoria County’s popular rural transit system, will need to make several service reductions, including cutting four of its six full-time routes. Even with the cuts, the system is expected to run out of money in June.

Because the three-tenths of 1% sales tax hike was not approved, the agency will be forced to reduce services by 53%, mostly affecting the poor, elderly and disabled.

The university’s Department of Transportation Services will put the $60,000 it cost to run the three routes annually toward the more popular Shady Grove route. Some passengers on the eliminated routes said there was no discussion of the cuts with them, and are upset.

Looking into cutting in half or eliminating bus service in the most populous county it serves due to falling sales tax projections and previous service reductions causing a drop in ridership. However, if approved in November, a measure to increase the sales tax may help the struggling agency.

A visually impaired Merced County resident wrote about GSG Merced County Transit’s plan to increase Dial-a-Ride fares by 50%, cut rural Dial-a-Ride service, and only allow trips for medical appointments for up to $10 each way for blind and visually impaired riders.

Down from $370.2 million total expenses in Fiscal Year 2012. Includes a fare increase set for July 1 and a 35% service reduction scheduled for Sept. 2.

Says one reason for recent fare hikes and service cuts is financial arrangements that the MTA made with banks on 10% of its $33 billion in debt. The agency is losing almost $114 million a year.

Primarily opposed to proposed fare increases for TransIT-plus, a service for elderly and disabled residents. One-way cash fare for medical trips would go from $1.50 to $2.50.