Hundreds Voice Opposition To Plan For METRO Routes

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Sept. 1, 2004, 10:54PM

Hundreds voice opposition to plan for Metro route cuts

Many speakers from Kingwood area come forward

By LUCAS WALL

Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

Hundreds of bus riders and their supporters, hoping to spare their routes from the chopping block, crammed Metro's board room during two public hearings Wednesday.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority has proposed major cuts in service on 23 routes and modifications to 25 others.

Executive Vice President John Sedlak called them the most drastic adjustments to the bus system in a decade.

"We have carried a lot of routes that are poor performers," he told some 150 people overflowing into the hallway at the noon hearing.

"We have to look at how much it costs to operate these routes."

If the plan is enacted by the Metro board of directors later this month, it's estimated to save $12.4 million in the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1.

Sedlak noted higher costs for fuel, employee benefits and other items will add about $11 million next year.

Metro must find a way to offset those charges if it is to again avoid raising fares, he said.

About 50 people spoke at the first hearing, all of whom pleaded for particular routes to be salvaged.

While dozens of buses were mentioned by speakers, the most pleas came from riders in the Kingwood area in far northeast Houston.

Several speakers criticized the planned discontinuation of Route 55 from Greenspoint to Kingwood via Bush Intercontinental Airport, which just began June 1.

"I was shocked when I heard 55 is proposed for elimination," said Robert Conachey of Kingwood, who uses the bus to get to his job in Greenspoint area. "This route has not been in existence long enough for ridership to increase."

Metro statistics indicate an average of 541 boardings on Route 55 per day, requiring a taxpayer subsidy of $22.55 per passenger. That is the third most highly subsidized route, according to the figures.

Those lobbying to save Route 55 complained Metro has done nothing to entice more riders.

"I ask Metro to market the route; give it time to prove itself," said Jack Drake, director of the Greater Greenspoint District. "Given a fair chance, 55 could be a winner."

Kingwood residents also asked to keep Route 284 to Greenway Plaza and the Galleria area. Some 40 riders