Capital Metro scraps two bus routes

Because of declining ridership over the last few years, the Capital Metro Board proposed Monday that two ‘Dillo bus routes serving downtown be cut in October.

“It was hoped that restructuring and marketing in 2008 would boost ‘Dillo ridership,” said Meredith Highsmith, Capital Metro transportation planner. “However, ridership has unfortunately continued to decline on ‘Dillo routes.”

The proposal would cut the 450 on Congress Avenue and 451 on Sixth Street. The board will make a decision on Sept. 28 to allow for more input from the public.

The routes are the last two remaining after the board eliminated three other ‘Dillo routes last year.

Highsmith said Capital Metro is disappointed about the bus service changes, but added that they are necessary given current economic conditions.

“Generally what we’ve heard from the public is that they are disappointed, but given the budget they are understanding,” she said.

Capital Metro projects a 5 percent decline in sales-tax revenue for next year’s budget, a loss of about $10 million from last year, said Randy Hume, Capital Metro financial officer.

Under a proposed budget that could take effect in January, Capital Metro bus fares would increase to $1.25 for senior citizens to help offset the decline in revenue. Ninety percent of transit systems across the country have had to cut back on service this year, according to the American Public Transportation Association.

Mike Manor, secretary of the Capital Metro Board, said he was concerned about the ‘Dillo cuts and Capital Metro’s “2020” long-term plan for transportation in Austin over the next decade.

“We thought that the ‘Dillo would be part of this equation and that we would leave the ‘Dillo on the table until the rail system was in place for downtown routes,” Manor said.

Hume said the ‘Dillo suspension will be reevaluated every year and that downtown service by the new light rail will also make up for the loss of the ‘Dillo service.

“When we open the rail, we will have dedicated routes that serve [downtown] and those [bus] routes,” he said. “Greater circulation in downtown will be a part of that 2020 plan.”
 

1 comments

Kmap

Fri Sep 25 2009 13:42

Unfortunately, I don't see how the light rail makes up for the 'Dillo suspension; both operate at different times and are for different distances. What's worse, the light rail is only on weekdays, and that too, only during the mornings and evenings. When it begins, that is, and I don't have any idea when that will be.

The suspension of the 'Dillo is quite sad, but the reasons for the same don't really seem convincing enough, in my opinion.

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