Bus Stop In Front Of Senior Housing Complex To Be Cut

Some senior citizens say their only means of transportation is in jeopardy. Mountain Metro Transit is cutting the bus stop in front of the Centennial Plaza apartment building on South Kiowa near Wasatch. Centennial Plaza is low-income housing for seniors and people with disabilities.

“Many of us are in wheelchairs, we’ve got several who are severely disabled,” said resident Michael Meloy. “Everybody here is dependent on this bus.”

The stop will be gone as of October 31. Mountain Metro Transit said it’s changing two bus routes that run on the same streets to expand service to other areas. A spokesperson said the adjustments are largely due to a 70% cut in city transit funding over the last two years.

“It’s help to reduce duplication of service and expand our limited transit funding to work for as many people as possible for the community,” said David Menter, Transit Planning Supervisor.

Menter said it’s heart-wrenching that the seniors are losing their stop, but pointed out that most bus riders have to walk one to four blocks to a stop.

The next closest stop to Centennial Plaza is a block and a half away on an incline. Some seniors said it was too far for them.

“By this bus moving from right here to on top of the hill, it will be a tremendous disadvantage for me,” said resident Bobby Thompson.

Residents have started a petition they plan to present to city council at the budget public hearing on Thursday.

“We have 60 to 70 signatures,” said Janice Moglen. “We’re going to fight.”