GTA to modify services

MOSES LAKE — The Grant Transit Authority (GTA) board of directors voted to modify service to Ellensburg and Warden during a regular meeting on Thursday, May 16.

Service to Ellensburg was added two years ago when the GTA received a grant for providing the service. The grant expires June 30. The idea, according to interim General Manager Terry Weed, was that GTA and the state would be splitting the cost of the service. Currently, GTA is having to foot over $100,000.

“Data shows that the route is significantly underused,” said Weed. “We have four passengers per trip. Our recommendation is that GTA withdraw from the agreement effective July 1. We have discussed it with the Department of Transportation. They said it is a sound and responsible move. We won’t get dinged.”

The late-night Warden run would also be cut from the current service. The plan is to take the hours that are being cut to Ellensburg and Warden and add service in other areas.

“We will move them to a more productive area of service,” Weed said. “The goal is to have zero impact on the budget. We would move them to areas where we show strong demand. We want to bolster evening service.”

Currently, a lot of bus service ends around 5 p.m. There is also talk about adding some Saturday service, which was cut in April, back into the schedule.

The vote to cut service to Ellensburg was passed with one “nay” vote.

“We should talk to the alumni (of Central Washington University) and see if there is a grant,” said GTA councilmember Stephen Wellein of Soap Lake.

The Warden cut was passed unanimously. The proposed cuts to Ellensburg won’t take place until after June 30, which is when the DOT grant expires. Riders of the services being cut will be notified.