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A commentary from Dene Bustichi, Scotts Valley city councilman and a director of Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District
I thought it was a good time to provide an update on many of the things happening with our local bus system. With increased gas prices and concerns regarding environmental pollution now, more than ever, it makes sense to look to Metro for travel needs. Metro is contributing to clean air through the Compressed Natural Gas fuel program. Metro buses and support vehicles are being converted to CNG. Currently, Metro operates 83 fixed route buses throughout Santa Cruz County, and at the end of 2008, 64 of the 115 total large buses will be powered by CNG. All diesel buses are scheduled to be removed from the fleet by 2012. Metro is currently implementing a bus shelter expansion program that, when funded with state money, will result in the placement of additional passenger shelters in Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley. Overall, Metro plans to install about 20 additional shelters in this area over the next two years if state funding continues. In response to a request from the Scotts Valley Hilton, we are evaluating locations for shelters on Mt. Hermon Road. Metro ParaCruz serves many Scotts Valley residents on a daily basis. We have traveled to Washington, D.C., in the past two years requesting federal funds to replace and expand the ParaCruz fleet so we can enhance service to this vulnerable segment of our population. We are also pursuing state funds for ParaCruz buses. In 2008, we traveled to Washington, to request $1.8 million from Congress to implement a Smart Card system on the Metro and, eventually, on Monterey services so that people will be able to get discount fares in a card that will be valid until all rides are used, rather than the monthly passes we have now. This will enhance benefits to people on limited incomes and school-age riders. We look forward to the development of the Skypark Town Center, as it will enhance the value of the Cavallaro Transit Center. We are hopeful that a joint-use plan will materialize so that the Cavallaro Center can provide additional parking and transit resources to the Town Center. Metro serves more than 6 million trips annually and employs 350 people, with an operating yearly budget of $38 million. Metro is also one of the highest carriers of bicycles, per capita, in the nation — that is why we have installed three bike position racks on all buses. The Highway 17 service that includes Scotts Valley is the fastest-growing route in the system, and we will add new buses to this service both this year and next. The Metro system faces many challenges with shrinking state and federal funds. It is important that, as your representative on the Santa Cruz Metro, I continue to push for new funding so we get our fair share. With ridership going up, Metro must find new resources to add service where needed. We will continue to do our best to serve you. Dene Bustichi is the Scotts Valley representative on the board of Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District.
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