More cuts in store for Kitsap Transit

Fresh from a winter of route cuts and layoffs, “Kitsap Transit” is considering a new round of service reductions.

According to materials released from an August transit board meeting, a continued decline in county sales tax is forcing the agency to search for savings.

A proposed package of cuts will be the focus of two Friday public meetings at the Fire Station on Liberty Road in Poulsbo.

Meetings will begin at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

In North Kitsap the transit board is considering eliminating the 5:05 p.m. and 5:55 p.m. runs on Route 91, which average fewer than four riders per hour. Route 91 runs between Kingston and the Bainbridge ferry terminal.

The 6:20 a.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. runs on Route 32, which operates between Poulsbo and Silverdale, are also on the list.

Those runs also average fewer than 10 passengers per hour.

Along with the elimination of other low-volume runs throughout the county, Kitsap Transit is considering changes to its Saturday schedule and reducing ACCESS service to outlying areas. A first round of cuts would take effect in December. Kitsap Transit has identified $30,000 in cuts for 2009, and up to $1.08 million in 2010.

Meetings will be held Sept. 8 and 9 in Silverdale and Sept. 8 and 11 in Bremerton.

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