Due to the anticipated schedule for repair of the fueling station, Lakewood, Wash.-based Pierce Transit cannot return to regular service levels prior to beginning the planned service reductions. Emergency reduced service will continue to operate through mid-June.

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 Feb. 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.  

Shuttle paratransit service for people with disabilities will also be reduced on Oct. 2, 2011.