City Eyes Transit System Cuts To Balance Budget
by Heather Skoldh.skold@krdotv.com
COLORADO SPRINGS – The city of Colorado Springs is eyeing cut-backs in the transit system to counteract a budget shortfall. That despite citizens saying that getting around town is the number one issue.
14,000 hours might be cut from Metro’s service. It would amount to just shy of a 10% decrease from the current 147,801 fixed-rate hours. The proposed slashes aren’t a given nor how they might be cut.
For some, it would make the difference between making it to a job or not.
“If I want to be to work at 8 o’clock, I’ve got to get the bus at 5:30 in the morning,” said Crystal McKnight. “My car broke down and I need this to get to work make my livelihood and get the car running again.”
If the proposal goes through, and the 10% rule is followed, it could translate to two of the 22 routes being taken off the map. Or, an hour and 45 minutes shaved from the current day-to-day operating hours.
“For them to cut any more buses or hours, would just be devastating, actually. I would have to start driving again,” said James Eads, who rides the bus to downtown from Dublin and Powers.
The transit system is funded from two sources: the city’s general fund, and the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority. Voters approved the PPRTA into existence in November 2004.
It would take a citizen advisory committee to give the cuts the thumbs-up, followed by approval from the Rural Transportation Authority board-a group of six elected officials.
City councilman Jerry Heimlicher says he’ll fight to keep any cut-backs from happening. If anything, he wants the bus service expanded, not broken down.
“Anyone who’s concerned about a cut-back in service below what was given in approval of the RTA has nothing to worry about,” said Heimlicher.
If you’d like to weigh-in on what you think about the city’s budget, citizens are invited to attend a town hall meeting scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 4th from 7 to 9 p.m. at City Hall.
A final decision will come in November.
