San Diego MTS - Service Changes

[nickv]

SAN DIEGO ---- To make up for a chronic shortfall in state funding, San Diego public bus and rail
operators will have to raise fares and reduce services, officials said Friday.

Source: www.thetransitcoalition.us/newspdf/nct20070907a.pdf

I'm planning on submitting the following comments sometime before the deadline date. If anybody (agrees/disagrees) please reply as I could use some help on making sure my comments will both benefit the agency with its funding problems, yet won't slap the riders hard in the face with its service cuts. My comments are based on the proposed service cuts and not the proposed fare increase. I've also used the Transit Advocates of Southern California tone-of-voice, which sounds firm, yet unbiased and realistic.

BTW, Don't forget to submit your own comments too (keep them realistic)....
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Source: www.sdmts.com/Marketing/documents/RiderAlert.Pub.Hearing.pdf
(Rotate the page 90 degrees CCW in the Reader to view)

IMPORTANT NOTICE!
As a result of reductions in state and local operating funds, the Metropolitan
Transit System (MTS) Board of Directors will hold a public hearing on Thursday,
September 27, 2007, to consider changes in bus and trolley services. Members
of the public are invited to provide input on the proposals. Decisions will not be
made on the service changes until public testimony is received and considered.

September 27, 2007
MTS Public Hearing for Proposed Service Changes

Please review the proposed changes and, if you wish, provide any relevant comments
by one of the four means listed below. All changes are proposed to take effect in
January 2008.

Your options for providing input are:

Attend: MTS PUBLIC HEARING on SERVICE CHANGES
Thursday, September 27, 2007, 9:00 a.m.
1255 Imperial Avenue, 10th Floor (at the 12th/Imperial Transit Center)
San Diego, CA 92101

Telephone Hotline: [phone] (Voicemail)

E-Mail: [e-mail]

Mail: MTS Public Hearing Comments,
1255 Imperial Avenue, Suite 1000, San Diego, CA 92101

Comments by telephone, e-mail, or mail must be received at MTS by 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 26, 2007 for consideration by the Board at the public hearing.

Proposed service changes would take effect in January 2008:

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Cancel the last two eastbound train departures on the Trolley Green Line: I do not oppose removing the 12:30 a.m. train, but oppose the removal of the 1:00 a.m. train as this would sharply cut the span of service on the Green Line by 1 hour, which may also reduce ridership from the connecting Blue Line. Keeping the 1:00 a.m. train would allow riders who would normally ride the 12:30 a.m. train to use the later 1:00 a.m. train as an alternate.

Reduce Service on Line 31 to rush hours only: After examining the Miramar Bl corridor, I conclude that this Line should operate every 30 minutes during rush hours, and hourly at other times given that Miramar MCAS residential areas, shopping centers, medical offices, and other employment centers service this corridor; therefore, I oppose this proposal, but do not oppose a reduction of service frequency from 30 minutes to hourly during non-rush hours. Timed connections should therefore be offered to/from other major bus lines at both endpoints.

Replace the Line 28B & 28C extenstions with limited service shuttles - I believe that insufficient information has been provided in the public hearing report. There is no report on the span of service, days of service, or service frequency of the proposed replacement shuttles. I therefore request this proposal be held back until a more complete report is made available to the public and members of Fort Rosecrans Military Reservation.

Realign the Line 921 western terminal to UTC Transit Center - Under the condition that any of the other connecting bus lines offer timed connections to/from UCSD and the VA Hospital, I support this proposal as current weekday trips bypass the UTC Transit Center, which is the main transit hub in this area serving 7 other MTS bus routes, and NCTD Line 101.

Realign the Downtown endpoint for Line 992: I support this proposal as presented.

Realignment of Line 964 (Cancel Service on Scripps Ranch Bl) - I oppose this proposal for several concerns. Line 964A trips would bypass the Mira Mesa Market Center, the main transfer hub in this area which connects this line to four other routes. The Scripps Ranch Bl corridor is also served by a mix of high density residential developments, shopping, and employment centers. There are also no other bus lines serving Scripps Ranch Bl, DART service is proposed to be cancelled, and no alternatives are proposed. Scripps Ranch High School is also served along Scripps Ranch Bl and eliminating transit service along this corridor may cause an increase of school rush hour traffic. I offer as an alternate proposal to have the existing segment between Camino Village and the Mira Mesa Market Center serve as the "short trip" trunk line with 30 minute headways, with hourly and school tripper branch extensions eastward to Alliant University via the existing route. If bus service is warranted for Carroll Canyon Rd, I suggest expanding Line 921 as an alternative to realigning Line 964 once the agency has the funds to do so.

Cancel Rancho Bernardo / Scripps Ranch DART - Since there are no proposals to create or realign fixed routes to provide replacement service, especially in the Scripps Ranch service area, I currently oppose this proposal and request it be held back until replacement service is proposed. I do support a much more productive and cost-effective means to transport passengers in these areas in lieu of the DART system. I offer as an alternate proposal the creation of a second north/south bus line connecting Escondido to the Mira Mesa Market Center via Pomerado Rd with a deviation to the future Ted Williams Pkwy BRT Station through Rancho Bernardo, and via major streets through the Scripps Ranch area. The Line can operate every 30 minutes during rush hour and 60 minutes at other times, using the mid or small size busses currently used for DART. With that, Line 845 would have to be realigned due to duplication.



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[nickv]

My Comments on the San Diego MTS Public Hearing for October 18. I was very disappointed when I read that a key Coaster rail feeder route into the Carmel Valley and Sorrento Valley was proposed to be cancelled given the volume of multi-story employment centers. I understand MTS is cash strapped, but not a the expense of extra cars on the I-5 during rush hour.

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San Diego MTS - Public Hearing (9/27 & 10/18)
Statements on Proposed Service Changes (January 2008)

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am writing in regards to the proposed service changes to be implemented in January, 2008.

I have taken the following positions on the proposed January 2008 service changes for the MTS service area:

Replace the Line 28B & 28C extensions with limited service shuttles: I believe that insufficient information has been provided in the public hearing report. There is no report on the span of service, days of service, or service frequency of the proposed replacement shuttles. I therefore request this proposal be held back until a more complete report is made available to the public and members of Fort Rosecrans Military Reservation.

Realign the northern endpoints of Lines 41 & 921 to UCSD: I support these proposals given the lack of transit facilities at the VA Medical Center. I also request that these lines serve the UTC Transit Center which will provide better connections to other routes.

Realign and Modify evening Span of Service on Lines 48/49, Modify evening Span of Service of Line 30A trips and Launch New Line 86: I support these proposals provided that these lines offer timed connections with each other at UTC.

Cancel Line 89 service north of Sorrento Valley Coaster Station: I strongly oppose this proposal due to the high volume of employment centers in the Carmel Valley and Sorrento Valley areas. Line 89 north of the SVCS provides commuters Coaster feeder service to these centers. This line also provides Carmel Valley residents direct connection to the Coaster and the UTC. There is, at present, no other transit service in Carmel Valley and cancelling this feeder route north of SVCS may cause an undesirable increase in commuter traffic along the I-5 corriodor during rush hours which runs counter to SANDAG goals. I therefore request that this proposal be held back and suggest that MTS staff work with SANDAG and the employers in the Carmel Valley and Sorrento Valley areas with transit/Coaster/rideshare incentives for employees working in these areas which would attract more riders to this portion of Line 89 and therefore remove more cars from the I-5 corridor.

Also, since the Carmel Valley is served by a mix of high density residential developments and shopping centers, I also suggest that staff consider launching an east/west route connecting Del Mar-Carmel Valley-I 15 BRT station-Sabre Springs-Poway via major surface streets once the funds become available.

Reduce/Cancel Rancho Bernardo & Scripps Ranch DART: Since there are no other transit services in most of the Scripps Ranch service area, I oppose this proposal and request it be held back until replacement service is budgeted and proposed. I do support a much more productive and cost-effective means to transport passengers in these areas in lieu of the DART system. I offer as replacement service to expand Line 921 with hourly branch trips east into the Scipps Ranch DART service area via major surface streets with Poway serving as the eastern endpoint.

I request that these written comments be considered by the Board of Directors at the Public Hearing Meeting to be held on October 18.

[nickv]

ACTION ALERT - San Diego MTS Proposed Service Reductions

Public Hearing: 5/22
Effective Date: 6/2008 (DART Cancelations), 9/2008 (Fixed Routes)



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ACTION ALERT

• What would you do to better fund your transit agency using local funds without cutting service? Vote here.
  
  
• The Transit Coalition and the Transit Alliance for a better North County (TABNC) would appreciate any help, letters, and donations. Follow this link to the TABNC Web site and then click on the "Take Action" for a list of contacts.
  
  
• Talk employers, general managers, professionals, etc to write letters. The letters need to address the problems that will come about should these cuts become a reality. The letters also need to provide San Diego MTS with alternatives to better balance their budget such as increasing the Trolley fare evasion fines. Heavy service cuts will leave several transit-dependent riders without transportation to their jobs, shopping, appointments, and other needs.
  
  Here are some budget balancing suggestions worth pointing out:
  
  • Transfer 'low ridership' lines to a muni operator, the cities, or a contracted operator. Hospitals, colleges, casinos, or other establishments may even be able to provide both the replacement service and paid/volunteer bus drivers. Establish a transfer agreement and continue to publish these routes in the bus book for marketing. This will lower expesnes, yet the riders will still have their bus available in their communities.
    
    
  • Routes that perform poorly need to be addressed to the cities/communites via town hall meetings. Modest improvements (eg. timed transfers, better bus stop placement, consistent span of service) can increase the ridership, thus increasing the farebox recovery ratio.
    
    
  • Propose having MTS increase the trolley fare evasion fine to offset fare evasion losses.
    
    
  • 30 foot buses or smaller vans should be used for routes with lower ridership instead of a full 40 foot bus to reduce equipment costs.
    
    
  • Developers in the San Diego area (esp. along the Trolley and COASTER corridor) need to pay their 2 cents to fund better bus and train service in the area.
    
    
  • San Diego MTS should also brand some of the "unique" bus routes to increase awareness, boost ridership, and therefore increase farebox recovery.
    
  
  

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Due to lower sales tax revenue, increases in fuel costs, and reduced subsidies from the State, MTS projects an operating deficit of more than $6 million in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008. To balance the budget, MTS proposes to reduce staff, restructure trolley fares, enhance non-fare revenue and adjust bus services.

Many of the service adjustments require the consideration and approval of the MTS Board of Directors after a
public hearing. Your options for providing input in the public hearing process are:

Attend MTS PUBLIC HEARING on Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 9 a.m.
Metropolitan Transit System at the 12th & Imperial Transit Center
1255 Imperial Ave., 10th Floor, Downtown San Diego, CA 92101

Telephone [phone] (Voicemail)
E-Mail [e-mail]

Mail MTS Public Hearing Comments
1255 Imperial Avenue, Suite 1000
San Diego, CA 92101

Comments by telephone, e-mail, or mail must be received at MTS by 1 p.m.,Wednesday, May 21, 2008, for consideration by the MTS Board at the public hearing.

No decisions will be made until public testimony is received and considered. If approved, all changes would take effect in September 2008 (except DART).

Route adjustment proposals are as follows:

Route 14 (Community Route / Trolley Feeder)
La Mesa - Old Town San Diego
Reduce weekday frequency to hourly. End service on all days after 7 p.m.

Route 25 (Shuttle)
Sharp & Children's Hospital - Fashion Valley TC
Cancel weekend service. Weekend service between Fashion Valley, Linda Vista, and Health Center Drive would remain available on Routes 41 and 120.

Route 30 (Local Plus Route)
UTC TC - La Jolla - Pacific Beach - Downtown SD
All trips would be re-routed between the VA Hospital and UTC Transit Center to serve La Jolla Colony, including Nobel Drive, Regents Road, Arriba Street, and Palmilla Drive.

Route 48/49 (UTC area Circulator Shuttle)
UTC TC Area
Cancel line. Service to La Jolla Colony would be operated by a revised Route 30, providing service every 15 minutes in both directions on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends. Service on La Jolla Village Drive would remain available on Routes 41, 101, 150, and 921.

Route 83 (Local Route)
Mission Hills - Downtown SD
Cancel Saturday service due to low ridership.

Route 871/872 (El Cajon Circulator Shuttle/Trolley Feeder)
Reduce weekend span of service to operate 7 a.m.–7 p.m. only and with a 60-minute frequency in each direction.

Route 923 (Local Route)
Ocean Beach - Downtown SD
Cancel weekend service. Weekend service between Ocean Beach and Downtown would remain available via Route 35 and a transfer with Route 30 or the Blue Line Trolley at Old Town.

DART (Public On-Demand DAR Transit)
Rancho Bernardo, Scripps Ranch
Cancel all DART service.

Source: San Diego MTS

[nickv]

Comments on proposed MTS service changes:

I submitted these comments to MTS this morning (5/21). Follow this link to view the service change proposals: Proposed Service Reductions

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May 21, 2008

MTS Public Hearing Comments
1255 Imperial Avenue, Suite 1000
San Diego, CA 92101

Re: San Diego MTS Proposed Service Reductions
Statements on Proposed Service Changes (September 2008)

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am writing in regards to the proposed service changes to be implemented in September 2008. I
recognize the needs of transit agencies to obtain sufficient funding in order to operate transit
service. However, I have several reservations to the excessive proposed service reductions. I also
have suggestions that could help increase income and/or reduce expenses for the transit district.
Please consider the following:

First, because of the declining value of the dollar and economic inflation, it is a wise business
choice to modestly increase system-wide fares to offset the increasing costs. Therefore, I do not
object to a modest fare increase.

Secondly, because major development and redevelopment projects are planned for several areas
in the MTS service area, it would be appropriate and wise to approach and lobby to the local
planning departments and the City of San Diego for both road and transit improvement fees to be
paid from developers. Any developer applying for a building permit should contribute their fair
share to MTS to keep the neighboring bus and train routes in good financial standing.

Also, I request that MTS staff members audit any bus routes and/or service runs with lower
ridership figures which use a full 40 foot bus and consider investing in 30 foot or smaller buses
for routes or service runs with lower ridership. This will greatly lower operating and maintenance
costs in the long term.

Also, money which is lost from Trolley fare evasion can be offset by raising the fare evasion fine.
Finally, bus routes with lower performance levels at MTS are not necessarily perceived as poor
routes as if they were run by the City of San Diego or community, or a private or public
municipal operator. They help senior citizens get to the doctor. They help students get to school.
They help workers get to jobs. Strategically, if these routes are eliminated from the system, the
San Diego MTS service area is left with big gaps in its bus system, hurting the community's
mobility.

I have submitted the following written comments to each of the members of the Board of
Directors regarding the proposed September service reductions.

Route 14:
I strongly oppose the proposal to end service after 7PM. I also object to the reduction in service
frequency. This route is served by several major shopping centers and hotels, workplace of many
service sector employees. This route also connects these workplaces with high density housing
communities which are not served by any other means of public transit. The route also provides
local feeder service to/from the Trolley Green Line stations. Ending Route 14 service after 7PM
on all days would basically leave several of these activity centers without any evening or late
night local public transportation. I also believe the long distances between the Trolley Green Line
stations disqualifies it as a valid replacement. I suggest working with the community to increase
the productivity of this bus route.

Route 25:
Although Route 120 is a valid replacement route since it overlaps the majority of Route 25, my
main concern regarding this proposal is the fact that the resdiential communities along the Osler
St. and Colmstock St. corridors will be left without weekend public transportation. Route 41
bypasses these corridors, thus disqualifying it as valid replacement. I therefore request that this
proposal be held back until this situation is addressed with replacement service. I suggest working
with the community with improving bus productivity in the area.

Routes 30, 48/49:
I support the concept of this proposal; this will eliminate a need to transfer for Route 30 riders
traveling to/from La Jolla Colony. However, I oppose the proposed routing given that Route 30 is
a local urban route and that Route 48/49 is a local circulator. Deviating all Route 30 trips from its
current routing to La Jolla Colony prior to serving the UTC Transit Center will add an additional
6-8 minutes of circuitous commute time for Route 30 riders headed to the UTC Transit Center. I
request the following as an alternative: Once a Route 30 trip from Downtown San Diego enters
the UTC ara and serves the VA Medical Center area, the routing should continue east via La Jolla
Village Drive to the UTC Transit Center. This would allow the riders needing to connect to other
bus routes to exit the bus without an extra delay. Riders from the other connecting routes needing
access to the La Lolla Colony would then board Route 30. Once the route serves the UTC Transit
Center, it should then follow/replace the Route 48/49 routing through La Jolla Colony and
terminate at Villa La Jolla Dr and La Jolla Village Dr.

Route 83:
I suggest working with the community to improve Saturday productivity in lieu of cancelling the
trial service. Cancelling Saturday service would leave the Mission Hills community without
public transportation on Saturdays. Also, I've noticed that the northern endpoint of Route 83 stops
approximately 1 mile short of the Old Town Transit Center, which could have a negative impact
on ridership. I suggest extending the line northward to Old Town.

Route 923:
Route 923 is the only southeast/northwest local route through Ocean Beach and the only route
that serves Harbor Dr between the Ocean Beach area and the San Diego Airport. On weekends
the route operates hourly from 6AM - 10:48PM with hourly headways. Route 923 is also the only
public transportation route that connects to the San Diego Hilton on Harbor Island. Cancelling
weekend service would leave the hotel and Southeastern Ocean Beach area workers and tourists
without public transportation on weekends. I believe these facts disqualifies Route 35, Route 30,
and the Blue Line Trolley as valid replacement. I therefore strongly oppose this proposal.

DART Rancho Bernardo:
Although there are fixed routes that can provide replacement service for some of the corridors,
this proposal will still leave some major transit gaps in the Rancho Bernardo area. Corridors such
as Bernardo Heights Pkwy, Paseo Lucido, and the entire northeast area of Rancho Bernardo
which all have areas of high density residential areas are not served by these fixed routes;
therefore these areas will be left without public transportation if DART service is cancelled.
Routes 20, 844, 845, and the commuter routes do not serve these areas and cannot qualify as valid
replacement. Also, since the managed lanes/bus rapid transit project is under construction along
the I-15 corridor through this area, timed feeder routes (which can include DART service)
throughout the Rancho Bernardo area will be very necessary for the I-15 bus rapid transit line to
operate properly. I therefore oppose this proposal and request that MTS work with community
members in improving the productivity of DART service and fixed routes.

DART Scripps Ranch:
This proposal will leave a huge hole in the MTS public transportation system, leaving the
majority of the residential communities in the Scripps Ranch area without access to public
transportation. Although Route 964A serves the southwest Scripps Ranch area, most of the
routing is through the commercial areas of Scripps Ranch, not residential. Route 964A does not
provide service to residents along the Scripps Ranch Bl, Spring Canyon Rd, or Pomerado Rd
corridors, in which DART service does. Therefore, I believe Route 964A is not a valid
replacement and I strongly object to this proposal. I also further suggest working with the
community in establishing a fixed route connecting the residential areas to the proposed I-15 bus
rapid transit corridor.

I request that these written comments be added to the public record and considered at the Public
Hearing Meeting to be held May 22.

[nickv]

San Diego MTS Service Changes

Effective Date: 6/15/2008 - San Diego MTS



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Routes 25, 815, 816, 871/872, 874/875, and 955:
All have service reductions and/or other adjustments.

Route 4 (Local Route)
Lomita Village -12th & Imperial Transit Center
All Trips: The eastern terminal is changed from Deep Dell Rd. to Paradise Valley Rd. at Meadowbrook Dr. There are no changes to the routing. Also, minor schedule adjustments.

Route 8/9 (Shuttle/Trolley & Coaster Rail Feeder)
Old Town Transit Center - Pacific Beach - Sea World
All Trips: Launch Summer Schedule.

Route 11 (Local Route)
SDSU Transit Center - Downtown
Skyline Hills - Downtown
All Trips: The southern terminal is changed from Deep Dell Rd. to Paradise Valley Rd. at Meadowbrook Dr.

Route 13 (Local Route)
24th Street Trolley Station - Kaiser Hospital (Grantville)
All Trips: Minor route change for southbound buses entering Grantville Trolley Station.

Route 14 (Community Route / Trolley Feeder)
La Mesa - Old Town San Diego
Weekdays: Reduce service frequency to hourly during the mid-day and cancel some late night trips. The eastern terminal is relocated to Baltimore Dr. & Lake Murray Blvd. Passengers traveling to Amaya Station should transfer here to Route 854, or to a Green Line trolley at 70th Street Station.
Sundays: Cancel some late night trips. The eastern terminal is relocated to SDSU Transit Center. Passengers traveling east of SDSU should use Route 1 on El Cajon Blvd. or the Green Line.

Route 20 (Local-Plus Route)
Escondido North County Fair Mall - Downtown San Diego
All Trips: Line shortened in the downtown area. The downtown terminal of Route 20 is changed to 10th Avenue at Broadway. Route 20 service on Broadway is canceled; passengers wishing to travel to or from points farther west in downtown should transfer to/from Route 2, 7, 15, 30, 50, 150, 901, 929, or 923, or to a Blue or Orange Line. For northbound Route 20 service, passengers may board Route 20 at 10th Ave./Broadway or 11th Ave./C Street (City College Trolley Station).

Route 30 (Local-Plus Route)
UTC TC - La Jolla - Pacific Beach - Downtown SD
All Trips: Upgrade to the summer schedule. The downtown terminal is changed to 9th Ave. at B Street. Passengers boarding on 10th Avenue should do so at C St. instead of Broadway.

Route 210 (Commuter Express)
Mira Mesa - Downtown San Diego
Weekdays: Minor route upgrade in downtown to use 14th St. between Broadway and F/G Streets in both directions, allowing direct service to the City College Trolley Station. Also, minor schedule adjustments.

Route 855 (Local Route)
Rancho San Diego - La Mesa
All Trips: Line shortened. The northern terminal is changed to the Spring Street Trolley Station. Service on Palm Ave. in La Mesa is canceled. For service to downtown La Mesa, passengers should transfer to the Orange Line at Spring St. Also, other minor weekend service reductions and schedule adjustments on all days.

Route 864/864A (Local/Regional Route)
El Cajon Transit Center - Alpine - Viejas Reservation
All Trips: Routes 864 and 864A are changed in Alpine to serve the new Albertsons market at Alpine Blvd. and South Grade Rd. Route 864A service to Victoria Park Terrace is canceled. Also, minor schedule adjustments.

Route 923 (Local Route)
Ocean Beach - Downtown SD
All Trips: Cancel all trips after 7:00pm.

Route 965 (Circulator Shuttle)
City Heights Circulator (Loop) - I-15 & Univ. Ave. Tran. Plaza - Home Ave.
All Trips: Route 965 is revised on the northern end to travel on University Ave. between Fairmount Ave. and 41st Street. (Myrtle Street will still be served on the southern portion of the loop.) Additionally, a new clockwise loop will operate during peak hours on weekdays. The current counter-clockwise loop will be Route 965A; the new clockwise loop will be Route 965B. Also, other minor schedule adjustments.

Route 966 (Commuter Shuttle)
North Park Shuttle (Loop)
Weekdays: Cancel line due to low ridership. Remaining transit services in North Park include Routes 7 & 10 on University Ave. and Routes 2 & 6 on 30th St.

DART (Public On-Demand DAR Transit)
Rancho Bernardo, Scripps Ranch
Cancel all service. The last day of DART service is Friday, June 13, 2008. To find other options for your transportation needs, please call MTS by dialing 511 on your telephone.

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The following reductions are proposed to be changed in September 2008. A public hearing was held in May:

Route 14 (Community Route / Trolley Feeder)
La Mesa - Old Town San Diego
Reduce weekday frequency to hourly. End service on all days after 7 p.m.

Route 25 (Shuttle)
Sharp & Children's Hospital - Fashion Valley TC
Cancel weekend service. Weekend service between Fashion Valley, Linda Vista, and Health Center Drive would remain available on Routes 41 and 120.

Route 30 (Local Plus Route)
UTC TC - La Jolla - Pacific Beach - Downtown SD
All trips would be re-routed between the VA Hospital and UTC Transit Center to serve La Jolla Colony, including Nobel Drive, Regents Road, Arriba Street, and Palmilla Drive.

Route 48/49 (UTC area Circulator Shuttle)
UTC TC Area
Cancel line. Service to La Jolla Colony would be operated by a revised Route 30, providing service every 15 minutes in both directions on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends. Service on La Jolla Village Drive would remain available on Routes 41, 101, 150, and 921.

Route 83 (Local Route)
Mission Hills - Downtown SD
Cancel Saturday service due to low ridership.

Route 871/872 (El Cajon Circulator Shuttle/Trolley Feeder)
Reduce weekend span of service to operate 7 a.m.–7 p.m. only and with a 60-minute frequency in each direction.

Route 923 (Local Route)
Ocean Beach - Downtown SD
Cancel weekend service. Weekend service between Ocean Beach and Downtown would remain available via Route 35 and a transfer with Route 30 or the Blue Line Trolley at Old Town.


Source: San Diego MTS

[nickv]

San Diego MTS Service Changes

Effective Date: 8/31/2008 and 9/2/2008 - San Diego MTS

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Many San Diego MTS bus services will have route and/or schedule modifications in August and September 2008. Some reductions in service are needed to close a $6 million budget deficit. A summary of the changes is available here, but passengers are encouraged to refer to our website www.sdmts.com for more detailed schedules, maps, and other information. Also, some MTS fares will be changing. Please see the section below service adjustments for details on those changes.

[nickv]

ACTION ALERT - MORE Big Budget Troubles for NCTD & San Diego MTS
EVEN MORE Major service cuts affecting many passengers are anticipated



California Budget Threatens Transit

The State of California Legislature is considering the permanent elimination of State Transit Assistance funding. If adopted, it would eliminate an important funding source and require public transit agencies all over the State of California to reduce their budgets.

For the Metropolitan Transit System, this could eliminate more than $7 million from its operating budget. While MTS would still receive capital dollars from the Federal government to purchase badly needed buses (many of which are more than 15 years old), the state’s elimination of operating dollars would likely force MTS to reduce services.

Also impacting the MTS operating budget negatively is reduced spending in the State of California. About 50% of the MTS operating budget relies on sales taxes. Revenues from TransNet sales taxes and Transportation Development Act revenues are expected to decline more than $12 million from 2007 levels.

Combined, MTS may face a shortfall of up to $17 million for the next fiscal year. To balance its budget, MTS will once again consider many alternatives. Reducing service may be part of the solution.

Public hearings may be held as soon as February to discuss possible alternatives. Please come back to this page often for updates.

---

ACTION ALERT:

Please call the following legislative leaders and tell them to reject
the Governor's proposals to redirect state transit funds and to
eliminate the State Transit Assistance program:

Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg: 916-651-4006

Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill: 916-651-4014

Speaker of the Assembly Karen Bass: 916-319-2047

Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines: 916-319-2029

CALPIRG reports transit funding creates 19% more jobs than road building!

Read more about TransForm's campaign to protect public transportation
in the state budget.

[nickv]

ACTION ALERT - Notice of Public Hearing
Proposed Coaster Feeder Reductions in Sorrento Valley
When: Thursday, February 19 at 9 am



San Diego MTS will host a public hearing concerning the Sorrento Valley COASTER Connection (SVCC) shuttles. The hearing will be held at: Metropolitan Transit System, 1255 Imperial Avenue, Suite 1000, San Diego, CA 92101-7490, on Thursday, February 19 at 9 am. A decision regarding the shuttles could be made at the February meeting.

Route 971, 972, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, 978 - Coaster Commuter Rail Feeder
Sorrento Valley Coaster Station - Sorrento Valley employment centers and offices
Option 1: Cancel lines due to state funding issues
Option 2: Reorganize the shuttles saving approximately 60% of the existing service.

NCTD encourages Coaster passengers to voice their opinion on these important service options. Send your comments to MTS at [e-mail] or call [phone].

[nickv]

San Diego MTS - Service Changes

Effective Date: 6/14/2009 - San Diego MTS



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Routes to be Operated with Smaller Buses During Lower Demand Times:
115, 854, 870, 928

Frequency Reductions:
2, 7, 10, 11, 15, 20, 105, 701, 709, 712, 815, 832, 848, 855, 856, 864, 871, 872, 901, 905, 928, 932, 933, 934, 967, 968, 992

Span Reductions:
810, 820, Blue Line Trolley (Sat Owl Service Cancelled)

Reduced / Cancelled Service:

Route 14 - Local
Old Town TC - Lake Murray
Weekends: Cancel weekend service between La Mesa and Grantville to be replaced with a separate Hotel Circle shuttle seven days/week.

Route 84 - Shuttle
Fort Rosecrans
Weekends: Cancel all weekend service in September.

Route 86 - Shuttle
UTC Transit Center - UCSD Medical Center
All Trips: Cancel route.

Route 965 - Circulator
City Heights
Weekdays: Cancel all clockwise trips.

View Detailed Changes Here

[nickv]

San Diego MTS - Bus Service Changes

Effective Date: 9/6/2009 - San Diego MTS



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Frequency Reductions:
1, 8/9, 41 (Sunday), 44 (Sunday), 88 (Sunday), 120 (Sunday), 845 (Weekend)

Schedule Adjustments:
7, 14, 25, 30, 201/202, 845, 880, 921, 923

Routing Adjustments:
105 (evening trips)

Span Upgrades:
14 (two later eastbound evening trips added from SDSU to La Mesa)

Route 84 - Shuttle
Fort Rosecrans
Cancel all Weekend service.

Route 201/202 - Rapid Circulator
University City
On June 15, the SuperLoop was launched. The SuperLoop project is funded in part by the TransNet local sales tax measure extended by over 67 percent of the region’s voters in November 2004. The project also is seeking federal funding to share the construction cost. Implementation is made possible through participation of the City of San Diego, MTS, NCTD, Caltrans, and UCSD. Effective 9/6/09: beginning of service day changed to approximately 5:45am daily. Weekday peak period 10-minute frequency changed to 7 - 10:30am and 2 - 5:30pm.

Route 929 - Local
Downtown San Diego – San Ysidro
Weekend service will terminate at City College Trolley Station in Downtown San Diego instead of Broadway and State St.

Route 964 - Community Shuttle
Mira Mesa
Cancel all 964B midday trips.