Mike Rotkin Addresses ACLU Board Concerns About Bus Route Reduction

For many long time bus riders who depend on the local Metro Transit as their primary means of transportation, the looming route reductions and discontinuances are likely to have a serious to disastrous impact on their lives. Although these cuts, which are the result of a "systemic budgetary shortfall" which has created a 6.5 Million Dollar deficit, do not appear to intentionally nor disproportionately disadvantage seniors, the disabled, the working poor or people experiencing homelessness, the effect on the lives of the less advantaged and disabled will surely be profound. The following is a synopsis of a presentation given to the ACLU Santa Cruz Chapter at their request in response to the concerns of several members that the proposed cuts potentially violate the civil liberties of some classes of riders. The synopsis and the commentary are mine.

"Santa Cruz Metro Transit Board of Directors Chair Mike Rotkin presented an overview of the current transit crisis to the ACLU Santa Cruz County Board of Directors Wednesday evening. Among his observations were (1) a fiscal crisis resulting from a severe budget deficit is causing reduction in service; (2) federal money and Cabrillo College funding is in the offing; (3) UCSC may be contributing as much as $500,000.00 for Metro operations; (4) Director Rotkin thinks fixed system ridership will continue to serve the working poor, disabled and seniors and (5) some routes may not be cut but will run less frequently.

My discussions with drivers and our friend and public transportation union leader Bonnie Morr have focused on the lack of an aggressive development program which traditionally generates grant funding in support of the operations budget. Transit managers seem not to agree citing the revenue streams for capital improvements and operations are funded differently. Director Rotkin believes that the long term solution is increased federal funding and the sales tax measure on the November ballot may provide much needed funding.

He said in closing that the board has in mind what reductions will be implimented but will be listening to the public at the meetings scheduled for May 26 in Watsonville and May 27 in Santa Cruz."

See everyone on Saturday for the big Rally at the Metro.