King County Metro will cut bus service 15% due to coronavirus-sparked recession this fall

[marmar]

WA: King County Metro will cut bus service 15% due to coronavirus-sparked recession this fall
Faced with nine-figure losses in retail sales-tax income, King County Metro Transit says it will run only 85% of its pre-coronavirus service when the agency reshuffles its network in mid-September.

Mike Lindblom
The Seattle Times (TNS)


Jun. 11--Faced with nine-figure losses in retail sales-tax income, King County Metro Transit says it will run only 85% of its pre-coronavirus service when the agency reshuffles its network in mid-September.

The agency also announced a few summer changes, to begin charging fares again about July 1 and to install shields near the driver's seat so that front-door boarding and seating may resume. But social distancing, such as a 6-foot separation between riders, will continue indefinitely.

Some trips temporarily cut this spring will be restored June 22, including local buses on Vashon Island.

Metro's daily ridership has collapsed during the viral outbreak, from 413,000 in May 2019 to 112,000 this past May. General Manager Rob Gannon expects to lose some customers permanently. He emphasized Metro retains a countywide system that can be restored quickly if prosperity returns, or ridership soars. ...............(more)

https://www.masstransitmag.com/bus/news/21141945/wa-king-county-metro-will-cut-bus-service-15-due-to-coronavirussparked-recession-this-fall