The transit board met to discuss a list of cost cutting proposals last Wednesday and voted to cut operating hours which will slightly increase passenger waiting times.
The list of cost reductions are planned to cut $1.6 million from the operating budget this year. So, what does this mean to light rail passengers?
Shorten peak operating hours; start 7:00 am instead of 6:00 a.m., and end 6:30 p.m. instead of 7 p.m.
- Run peak trains every 12 minutes instead of every 10 minutes
- Add five light schedule days to tie in with holidays, a change from normal operating schedules
There are additional administrative cuts in the amount of $2.4 million, which includes pay freezes, reduction on contracted work, and hiring freezes. The approved annual operating budget is $33.2 million for the 20 mile system.
After considering choices placed before them, the Metro Board decided not to cut the hours or reduce planned late night weekend train service.
The new budget assumes a 200,000 drop in ridership due to the economy the valley is facing.