If you’re a frequent bus rider of the routes that travel through Maple Leaf, King County Metro Transit is urging you to act now to prevent a 17 percent cut in services that could eliminate such routes as the 73 and 67, as well as a reduction in services of the 41.
According to the Metro PDF “What will happen if the congestion reduction charge is not approved,” those routes and more are on the chopping block if the King County County Council fails to impose a $20 annual vehicle licensing fee for two years, called a “congestion reduction charge.”
The state Legislature already has approved this temporary charge, but Transportation for Washington says the bill still needs the support of two more County Council members to pass.
Want to make your voice heard? Transportation for Washington also has a form letter you can fill out in support of the congestion reduction charge, while Metro is urging riders to attend the next public hearing at 6 p.m. July 12 at King County Council Chambers, 516 Third Ave. on the 10th floor, or submit written testimony.
And whether you’re for or against the proposal, you can always contact our own Councilman Bob Ferguson, who also happens to be a Maple Leaf resident, at bob.ferguson@kingcounty.gov or 206-296-1001.
If you look at this: http://metro.kingcounty.gov/am/future/PDFs/p2_Metro_route_list_17percent_reduction_062411.pdf
it looks like 72, 73, 68, etc., will be eliminated, not revised.
According to Metro’s map as I read it, “preliminary examples” of changes in service to buses 66/67, 68, 72, 73 and 373 have “routes & service revised” but not eliminated. However, it looks like Susan is correct about bus 242 being listed as a potential cut.
http://metro.kingcounty.gov/am/future/PDFs/GeoMap_NESea-NKC.pdf
They are cutting the 242 too which runs from Northgate to Redmond (by Microsoft). The bus is always full and will be more so once the toll starts. I can’t believe they are cutting that route.
This sucks. I need my bus. Spread the word on sending emails to KCC…though they probably have already made a decision.
Both the 72 and 73 are on their list of routes to cut. That would be devastating to a lot of us, losing our bus runs to work and home from downtown when we go out drinking. I hope everyone sends an email to to the KCC.