Vote yes for buses and roads

Published 11:17 am Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Islanders should vote yes on Proposition 1.

Prop. 1 on the ballot would preserve existing bus service on the island and raise funds for needed road maintenance on county roads. If the measure fails, routes 118 and 119 along with more than 100 routes will have their service reduced, while 74 routes will be eliminated entirely, gutting our regional mass-transit system.

Although our island bus routes do serve hundreds of commuters daily, the truth is many islanders may not be affected by reduced Metro bus service. These islanders should consider the effects of reduced transit service and the accompanying increase in car-traffic on friends, family and fellow-citizens in the rest of the county. Because of the unusual timing of this emergency election, many voters may be unaware it is occurring, and “turn-out” may be quite low. Islanders should make sure voting friends and family members are aware of the issues at stake. Ballots are due in the mail by April 22.

— Ian Crozier