MTS HOLDS PUBLIC MEETINGS OVER PLAN TO CUT SUNDAY BUS & TROLLEY SERVICE

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November 21, 2009 (San Diego) -- Sales tax shortfalls and the improper elimination of State Transit Assistance funds are forcing the Metropolitan Transit System to reduce its expenses by more than $7 million. To preserve the network of weekday services and to impact as few riders as possible, MTS is proposing to substantially reduce service on Sundays. The Metropolitan Transit System hosts outreach at transit centers this weekend to notify the public of plans to reduce Sunday bus andt trolley services.

New outreach dates have also been set for December 6. MTS has also posted all proposed route changes on its Web site: www.sdmts.com. In addition to the outreach meetings at transit centers, the public can also address the MTS Board of Directors at a public hearing at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10, at 1255 Imperial Ave. A second Board meeting at which the proposed changes will be discussed will be on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010. Comments can also be submitted at mts.planning@sdmts.com or by phone 619.595.4912.

Any changes to the system would not be implemented until Feb. 28, 2010.

Public Outreach Schedule:

Saturday Nov. 21 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Santee Town Center
152 Civic Center Drive
Santee, CA 92071

Plaza Bonita
3030 Plaza Bonita Rd
National City, CA 91950-8007
Bayfront E Street
750 E St. (Interstate 5 & E Street)
Chula Vista, California

Fashion Valley Transit Center
1205 Fashion Valley Rd. (Friars Road & Fashion Valley Road)
San Diego, California

Sunday Nov. 22 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fashion Valley
1205 Fashion Valley Rd. (Friars Road & Fashion Valley Road)
San Diego, California
24th Street Trolley Station
506 W. 22nd Street (West 24th Street (Mile of Cars Way) & Interstate 5)

National City, California
Old Town Transit Center
4005 Taylor Street
San Diego, California

Sunday Nov. 22 – 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Rancho Bernardo Transit Station
16785 West Bernardo Drive
San Diego, California

Sunday Dec. 6 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

UTC Transit Center
Westfield University Mall
4545 La Jolla Village Drive
San Diego, California

La Mesa Blvd Trolley Station
8248 La Mesa Blvd. (La Mesa Blvd & Spring Street)
La Mesa, California

The proposed changes for Sunday service include:
 

• Eliminating 27 bus routes on Sunday only.
 

• Reducing the frequency on 17 Sunday bus routes.
 

• Changing the hours of operation for all the routes on Sundays, meaning they will begin operating later in

the morning and stop operating earlier at night.
 

• Reducing Sunday 15-minute service to 30-minute service on the Orange and Green Line
 

• Changing the hours of operation on Sunday for the Blue, Green and Orange Lines for the trolley
 

• There will be some changes to Saturday routes and some minor modifications to weekday service.
 

The rationale for reducing Sunday service as opposed to other options includes:
 

• MTS has raised fares three times in the past 18 months, and the MTS Board of Directors did not want customers to pay more
 

• Concentrating service cuts to Sunday allows MTS to retain almost all weekday and Saturday service
 

• Sunday has almost 50% less riders than the average weekday (145,000 vs. 274,000)
 

• Sunday has the highest percentage of discretionary trips, or non-work-related trips
 

• Sunday service will be maintained in the corridors with the highest use
 

• Sunday service will maintain regional connectors to support network viability

 

For further information on fares, routes, and schedules, or to plan a trip, visit www.sdmts.com or call 511.
 


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