Clallam: Paratransit Services schedule to remain on line

Published 12:01 am Monday, November 21, 2005

PORT ANGELES — Clallam Transit System plans no changes in Paratransit Services in 2006 except to increase the annual number of hours it transports disabled people.

Despite a series of public hearings last summer on possible Paratransit cutbacks, Clallam Transit’s 2006 budget proposes no reductions in Paratransit’s schedule or its service area.

The county-wide bus system expects to roll into 2006 with capital reserves of nearly $1 million. It will spend some of the money on two new low-floor Gillig Corp. coaches and more Vanpool vehicles.

The budget is based on a conservative 1.5 percent increase in sales-and-use taxes.

Should tax revenues climb at the 5 percent rate that history indicates, Clallam Transit may add service in 2007 and beyond, according to General Manager Terry Weed.

System commissioners will hold a public hearing on the budget at their meeting that starts at 1 p.m. today in the transit headquarters, 830 W. Lauridsen Blvd.

The operating budget anticipates $403,800 in fare revenues, about a 2 percent increase over 2005, and $134,700 in vanpool revenues, more than a 12 percent increase.