Pierce Transit is currently collecting public input, which will be used to determine what service changes might be made to bridge a budget gap.

The most recent in a series of public meetings took place Monday evening at the Puyallup library and included input from the ridership in the Puyallup, South Hill, Sumner and Bonney Lake areas served by Pierce Transit route 402.

Any changes in the service would not be in effect until 2012 and are needed if Pierce Transit is unable to find a new source of revenue, according to Kelly Hayden, Pierce County Transit director.

Hayden said Pierce Transit has not made a decision on how to raise further revenue, but an option of a tax increase, which would be determined by voter approval, is on the table.

“The thing that can yield the biggest result is the three-tenths sales tax increase,” Hayden said.

Pierce Transit may ask voters to approve a three-tenths of 1 percent sales tax increase. Sales tax provides approximately 70 percent of Pierce Transit’s budget with fares and grants making up much of the remainder.

Hayden said another way to raise revenue is a fare increase, but added it would not provide enough funds, so it’s unlikely.

Hayden said after the public input is collected, the board of commissioners is taking the information under advisement to ensure the needs of the community are met in the best way possible. He said the goal is for any changes in service to have the least negative affect as few people as possible. According to Pierce Transit, rural, suburban and urban communities may receive less frequent service.