The Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners chose to preserve current levels of service July 12, if taxpayers approve a 0.3 percent increase in funding on ballots for February 2011.
The Preservation Plan is aimed at providing financially sustainable public transportation in high-use areas and locations with vulnerable populations, board members explained. However, most routes under the plan would remain unchanged.
Weekend frequency and connections to transit centers in Lakewood and South Hill would improve. Frequency to routes serving Tacoma’s North End - a major area of passenger concern - would also improve. Connections to the Federal Way Transit Center would be improved for route 501. A new route 503 would be added during the summer season, operating on State Route 161 from the Puyallup Sounder Station to the Federal Way Transit Center. Peak commuter times would continue every 15 minutes. Pierce Transit would also add “community connectors” providing expanded local service in smaller vehicles to Puyallup, Gig Harbor, Sumner, Bonney Lake and Prairie Ridge.
“We hope to find the best and most effective service for small communities,” Board Chair Terry Lee said.
Pierce Transit began aggressively reducing agency spending in 2007 with a 5 percent reduction in personnel. The agency also slashed capital projects, reduced service by nearly 6 percent and increased regular adult fares by 25 cents. Even with increases in the cost of a bus ticket, passenger fares only account for about 10 percent of the agency’s total revenue. However, Pierce Transit’s early cost-cutting measures have managed to save the agency about $72 million.
If voters approve the ballot proposition, Pierce Transit would receive an additional 0.3 percent sales tax per $10 spent, boosting revenue by an additional $30 million per year. Currently, the organization receives 0.6 percent sales tax per $10 and collects roughly $60 million annually in local sales tax revenue.
Key Peninsula resident Rick Sorrels expressed frustration at the possibility of the new tax.
“Don’t overlook the vast majority that doesn’t use Pierce Transit,” Sorrels said. “Be ready for it to fail on the ballot. Get your reduction plan ready.”
Board member Tim Farrell of Pierce County Council motioned to add a “sunset clause” to the ballot measure, which would expire the tax increase after five years. Although he sees transit as a necessary social service, he also mentioned that people are suspicious of government right now.
“They are angry and hurt,” Farrell said. “I want people to feel assured that this is something worth supporting in 2016.”
Most board members disagreed with adding the clause and showed it by rejecting the amendment via a 6-2 vote.
“We’ll have to make a compelling argument to voters about what kind of community we want to be in Pierce County,” board member and Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland said. “Do we want it to be a progressive region or do we want to get stuck backward?”
