PORT ANGELES — Clallam Transit has proposed cutting its service by 5.8 percent this year to save $187,861 in annual costs.
The routes on the chopping block are the most underused runs in the system, with many averaging two to three riders per trip.
Clallam Transit General Manager Terry Weed said the proposed cuts are needed to maintain service in the wake of declining sales tax revenue.
Sales tax revenue is Transit’s primary source of operating revenue.
The Transit Board directed its staff to find ways to offset this year’s budget shortfall and $400,000 draw on reserves, Weed said.
Members of the public can weigh in on the proposal in one of six public meetings scheduled for Feb. 1 in Forks, Feb. 3 in Sequim and Feb. 9 in Port Angeles.
A formal public hearing with possible board action will take place on Feb. 28 in Port Angeles.
The proposed cuts on the West End are:
• Route No. 16, Forks, leaves 5:05 a.m. on weekdays.
• Route No. 17, Forks shuttle, 6:40 a.m. on weekdays.
• Route No. 15, LaPush, at 11:05 a.m. on weekdays.
The proposed cuts for the Port Angeles area are:
• Route No. 20, College Plaza, 6:25 a.m. on weekdays.
• Route No. 24, Cherry Hill, 6:25 a.m. on weekdays.
• Route No. 10, Joyce. Start the first trip at the Lyre River and end the last trip at the Clallam Transit garage on weekdays.
• Route 10, Joyce, move the 9 p.m. trip to 8:05 p.m.
• Cut all first trips on Saturdays for routes Nos. 20, 22, 24 and 26.
Proposed cuts for the Sequim area are:
• Route No. 40, Sequim Shuttle, on Saturday, and modify the route on weekdays.
• Route No. 52, Diamond Point, on Saturday.
• Reduce dial-a-ride by one hour. New hours would be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Additionally, the College Plaza No. 20 bus would be modified, and the start time for the No. 30 Sequim commuter and No. 14 Forks buses would be pushed back five minutes to improve reliability.
All told, the proposed reductions would save Clallam Transit 61,838 operating miles per year.
The Feb. 1 public meetings in Forks will begin at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the City Council chambers at City Hall, 500 E. Division St.
The Feb. 3 meeting in Sequim begins at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Sequim Transit Center, 190 W. Cedar St..
The Feb. 9 meeting in Port Angeles begins at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Clallam Transit System office building at 830 W. Lauridsen Blvd.
The Feb. 28 public hearing begins at 1 p.m. at Clallam Transit’s Port Angeles headquarters.
Meanwhile, Forks Mayor Bryon Monohon was elected Transit Board chairman for 2011 in Monday’s meeting. Port Angeles City Council member Patrick Downie was elected vice chair.
Clallam County Commissioners Mike Doherty and Mike Chapman will again serve on the Clallam Transit Board, with Commissioner Steve Tharinger as the alternate.
Port Angeles City Council members Max Mania and Downie will represent the city, with Deputy Mayor Don Perry an alternate.
Sequim City Council members Susan Lorenzen and Laura Dubois will serve on the board. Don Hall is the alternate.
The Forks representatives are City Council member Bruce Guckenberg and Mayor Monohon, with Councilman John Hillcar as alternate.
Weed also presented maintenance worker Casey Rudd with a certificate of commendation on Monday for his selection as Employee of the Quarter.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.