The T's board approves bus service changes

At its monthly meeting on Wednesday, the board of directors of The T (the Fort Worth Transportation Authority) approved changes on nine of The T's 43 bus routes that will reduce service frequency to help offset lower sales tax revenues that are down by $2.1 million. The service reductions will save more than $700,000 annually. 

The changes, which will take effect on May 30, do not eliminate service from any neighborhoods. Only frequency and times will change. Current service on core routes and high performing service was preserved.

The board approval followed presentations and citizen input at three public meetings on March 9 and 10, comments through The T's Website, phone line and mail.

As with other transit agencies across the country, The T's sales tax revenue has been declining — down by 10 percent since September. The T has implemented salary freezes, cut administrative items and adjusted bus routes to better align route service with rider use.  However, the decline has been greater and longer than expected, according to the T's President Dick Ruddell.