Residents urged to attend Transit meeting

I would personally like to remind citizens of east Pierce County to attend the public meeting hosted by Pierce Transit on Monday, April 5, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Puyallup Library at 324 S Meridian.

On the Plateau, routes east of the Bonney Lake park and ride could be cut as early as 2012 due to lack of funding. This would mean no route north of SR 410 in Bonney Lake, no service to Prairie Ridge and no more trips to neighboring Buckley.

Kids ride the bus to the skate park or their job. Seniors ride the bus to the store and doctor. Others ride the bus to work or to get social services. But in a worse case scenario the only bus service would be from the Bonney Lake park and ride to the Sounder station. Those who need public transportation most will not have access.

Public input and the opinion of the board of commissioners will determine the course of action regarding how to fund services. It could be a combination of a rate increase or a tax increase or something else, like local service routes and possible partnerships. If you have an idea or preference, let your voice be heard.

If you cannot attend the meeting, go to the Pierce Transit Web site and leave a message at http://www.piercetransit.org/service_comments.htm or call 253-581-8000 or send a letter to Pierce Transit Headquarters, P.O. Box 99070, 3701 96th St. S.W., Lakewood, Wash. 98496-0070. If you are not able to travel to Puyallup, but have a group of concerned citizens who would like Pierce Transit to come and make a presentation, contact them and ask for a meeting. Your input is important.

Laurie Carter, Ward 3

Bonney Lake City Council