The Telescope

Issue Date: 3/9/09

Buses: Disappearing from the stop nearest you

By Typhanie Sharfner

Media Credit: Rob Bacon NCTD is cutting bus routes, including one that stops at Palomar, due to budget cuts.

Eight bus routes around North County have been cut because of the slow economy
On Jan. 25 the North County Transit District's bus routes enacted weekdays route cuts due to budget constraints. These cuts affect stops in Carlsbad, Vista, San Marcos and Escondido.
Possibly the most noticeable to Palomar students is route 341/342 that traveled through all of San Marcos and parts of Escondido.
This route included stops at Palomar College as well as Cal State San Marcos and the San Marcos Civic Center.
According to the North County Transit Rider's guide many of the routes cut were in high traffic areas and include routes 311/312, which traveled through West Oceanside, route 324 in Carlsbad, the 338/339 in Vista, route 349 in Escondido, route 365, which traveled through Encinitas and route 397, which traveled through Camp Pendleton.
As of the first of the year, prices were also increased for many day and monthly passes as well as one-way tickets, however these increases did not affect the monthly specials for students attending Palomar, MiraCosta or Cal State University, San Marcos.
Sarah Benson, marketing representative for the North County Transit District, assures that no more lines are expected to be cut this year and that cutting lines is only used as a last resort.
"The last thing we wanted to do was cut service," Benson said. "We wanted to cut costs while affecting the least amount of people."
When deciding where to cut the budget for NCTD, Benson said they first increase fares, then they laid off employees and they save cutting routes as a last resort to make ends meet."
Benson insists that those chosen to be cut, such as the 341/342 routes, are the least productive and only had six to eight passengers per hour, making them unprofitable for the company.
But the cancellations have affected many Palomar students who ride the bus.
Some students have resorted to using the Sprinter, the train located right across the street from Palomar's main campus, which makes stops every 30 minutes.
Others have to take the Sprinter for part of their commute and the bus the rest of the way.
Still others, like Eliana Limon, have to take several buses and find it harder to find a seat on them.
"The buses to Fallbrook are packed," Limon said.
Student Curtis Bosley however, doesn't share the same viewpoint.
"I'm not worried, I know people," Bosley said.
Yet news of the line cuts have many students wondering if more routes will be cut.
"There's not too many buses going to Fallbrook," said Limon. "What if they cut more."
While Benson is confident no more lines will be cut, she can't promise cut routes will be back while the new budget is in place.
"A year ago, I couldn't predict this would happen," said Benson, "So I can't predict what will happen in the future."

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