EVERETT — Community Transit plans to add bus service and hire 34 new bus drivers next year, the agency announced Monday.
The service expansion, less than a fifth what was lost in recent years, is part of the agency’s proposed 2015 budget. A hearing on the spending plan is scheduled for 3 p.m. Nov. 6 at Community Transit headquarters, 7100 Hardeson Road, Everett.
Transit officials expect to announce specifics about where they hope to add service during that meeting. People have two months to comment on the proposals.
Rising tax revenues would support adding 27,000 hours of proposed new bus service next year. That’s on top of 7,500 hours the agency added this fall, the first non-grant-funded increase since 2009.
Sales taxes make up about 65 percent of the agency’s budget. Financial forecasts for next year anticipate about $82.8 million in sales tax, a 6 percent increase over 2014.
At the nadir of the recession, in 2009, Community Transit collected only $62 million in sale tax. In 2010 and 2012, the agency cut a combined 160,000 hours of service. The transit agency has hired 27 new drivers this year.
The proposed 2015 budget also provides for buying 17 new double-decker buses to replace older 60-foot articulated buses. To accommodate taller buses, the agency plans to raise the height of the bay roof at McCollum Park &Ride.
Next year’s budget calls for improvements at two Lynnwood-area park-and-ride lots. The Ash Way Park &Ride would receive some new pavement, better fencing, some new parking spaces and a restroom for bus drivers. The Swamp Creek Park &Ride lot would be repaved.
More info: www.communitytransit.org/budget.
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