FORT WORTH (May 26, 2010) – Reductions in service to nine of The T’s 43 bus routes approved by The T’s board in March will begin on Sunday, May 30.
The changes will reduce frequency, hours of operation or portions of service on nine bus routes but will not eliminate service from any neighborhoods.
The proposed service reductions that will save The T about $700,000 annually to help offset its lower sales tax revenues that are down by $2 million year-to-date.
As with other transit agencies across the country, The T’s sales tax revenue has been declining the past year. To reduce costs, The T first implemented salary freezes and cut administrative items.
With the decline in sales tax revenue greater and lasting longer than expected, The T made the decision at its March 17 board meeting that followed public meetings to implement bus service reductions. Bus fares will not increase.
Summary of bus service reductions effective May 30, 2010:
Route 4/East Rosedale – Reduced frequency from 30 minutes to hourly on Saturdays.
Route 7/University – Reduced frequency to hourly weekdays and Saturdays and eliminated the last three trips after 8 p.m.
Route 10/Bailey – Eliminated an additional leg begun in January to Will Rogers Complex, which is not being used by riders.
Route 22/Meadowbrook – Reduced frequency from 30 minutes to hourly during non-peak period and eliminate one trip to make it hourly after 6 p.m.
Route 23/Mercantile – Combined this route with Route 11 which provides a one-seat ride from downtown; extended route to Mercantile only during peak periods. Route 11 schedule has not been reduced.
Route 25/Crosstown – Split east and west portions of route so that those west of La Gran (with lower ridership) have hourly instead of 30 minute frequency.
Route 26/Ridgmar Mall-Normandale – Changed Saturday frequency to reduce the early morning schedule from every half hour to hourly; also eliminate three latest trips in the evenings on weekdays and Saturdays.
Route 68/Arlington-Park Springs Park and Ride – Eliminated the last evening trip that was added in September but carries very few riders.
Route 993/Expanco – Eliminated one trip in the mornings.
