SamTrans will implement a 7.5 percent reduction in its service beginning Dec. 20, part of a continuing effort to reduce costs prompted by a $28.4 budget shortfall. The changes include the elimination of six express routes to San Francisco and one local route and a reduction in the frequency of service on six routes.

The decision to make these cuts was guided by public comments made at a series of meetings held at the end of the summer and by the Agency’s critical Guiding Principles, which include the statement: “Sustain basic mobility services for transit-dependent and low-income persons.”

The new schedules, along with a brochure outlining alternative transit options, are available onboard buses and on the District’s Web site, www.samtrans.com.

Other changes include a new route – 359 – that will connect commuters from Foster City to San Francisco. Buses will pick up passengers at all former Route FX stops and take them to the Millbrae Transit Center to connect with BART or Caltrain. Express Route CX will be renamed Route 118. Service will remain the same.

“It is particularly painful to make these cuts but they are unavoidable,” said SamTrans General Manager/CEO Michael J. Scanlon. “We have done this with the greatest sensitivity to the greatest number of our customers. Unfortunately, this may be only the beginning of service cuts, unless the economic climate improves significantly.

The shortfall is a result of a decline in local sales tax revenue, elimination of state funding and a drop in farebox revenue due to a decrease in ridership. In addition to the service reductions, SamTrans also will increase fares Feb. 1.

Fare box revenues only cover about 20 percent of the cost of operating SamTrans service. The District depends on state funds, sales taxes and interest income to balance its budget. Due to the economic downturn, these funds have been declining. Since Fiscal Year 2008 more than $11 million in state funds, which make up approximately 22 percent of the operating budget, have been eliminated.

Forty-five SamTrans employees, including administrative staff and bus operators, received lay-off notices as a result of the service reductions.

To help close the budget gap the District has frozen salaries for administrative employees. Administrative employees also will be required to take six furlough days this fiscal year. A fuel hedging program, which sets a cap on the price the District pays for diesel fuel, is expected to save $1 million.

12/09/09
Media Contact: Christine Dunn, 650.508.6238