People Mover Announces Budget Reductions
2/5/2009
Public Transportation
People Mover
Paula Kangis, Marketing Manager
KangisPJ@muni.org
(907) 343-8491
In response to the need to address the Municipality’s serious budget shortfall, the Public Transportation Department is taking the following action:
Effective immediately, People Mover will eliminate service on three additional holidays in 2009. (Presidents Day, Veteran’s Day and the Day after Thanksgiving). AnchorRIDES will offer limited service for essential trips only; In 2010 service will also be eliminated on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Reduce fuel consumption from idling through an aggressive operator awareness program;
Reduce printing costs including substantially reducing the number of People Mover Ride Guides provided for sale, making them available for download and providing schedule information via the RideLine and at bus stops; and
Reduce bus stop contracted maintenance services.
In addition, the department expects to realize a reduction in maintenance expenses with the 18 People Mover buses that were purchased in late 2008 and will utilize additional capital grant funds to purchase AnchorRIDES ADA mandated trips. “While we regret any reduction in service, we are very fortunate that we are not losing any staff or routes,” said Director Jody Karcz. “Public Transportation is in a strong position in that we are able to see some savings from recent capital purchases.” These measures are estimated to result in $591,000 in cost savings and increased revenues.
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