AC Transit board considering third fiscal emergency

An AC Transit bus off-loads passengers at a bus stop at the temporary Transit Center. (CALIFORNIA BEAT PHOTO)

AC Transit’s Board of Directors is considering whether to declare a fiscal emergency for the cash-strapped bus agency for the third consecutive year.

The agency will hold a public hearing on May 25 at 5 p.m. at the agency’s transit offices at 1600 Franklin Street in Downtown Oakland to discuss the possibility of the declaration.

Calling a fiscal emergency would allow AC Transit to cut costs by eliminating service, implementing hiring freezes and reorganize administrative expenses without undergoing environmental reviews that would delay to process.

The agency is facing a $14.9 million shortfall in the coming fiscal year and warns it will face a steeper funding shortage by the end of 2012.

In October, the agency cut 13 percent of bus service to nearly all East Bay communities and hiked fares for riders. This month, the Board approved a ten-year fare increase plan that will increase the base fare incrementally to meet inflation rates.

The agency is among many transit districts in the Bay Area that face crippling deficits caused by rising costs and depleted revenue sources from local, state and federal sources.

Riders can submit written comments by email to districtsecretary@actransit.org, or by fax to (510) 891-7157. Suggestions may also be provided by voicemail at (510) 891-4868.

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