MTD bus routes could be cut

Funding issues link to pension reforms may have an impact on money needed to keep the Metropolitan Transit District busses rolling on all of the current routes.

MTD Assistant General Manager Jerry Estrada says the cuts could reduce the operating budget by 30 percent.

Among the options will be a reduction of service on routes that include UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College, Isla Vista, and the Seaside Shuttle in Carpinteria.

Along Linden Ave. in Carpinteria, one rider Robert Ulber says the shuttle is very essential. “It serves so many people. The kids going to school, the elderly going to the clinics, people going to grocery stores,” he said. “It really serves a good purpose here.”

Many districts are facing the funding and transit route cuts in California. “Our understanding is there’s about $1.2 billion dollars in federal transit funds for the State of California being withheld at this point,” said Estrada.

The MTD is meeting with city leaders in Santa Barbara, Carpinteria and Goleta.

Next week there will be a “transit talk” meeting with riders and the general public.