MST plans for emergency cuts to routes and staffing

Public transportation is critical for travel on the Central Coast. But now Monterey-Salinas Transit is planning for the worst which may have to cut several bus routes and employees, is planning for the worst.

If the federal government doesn’t approve $4.5 million for MST within the next few weeks, transit managers said they may need to cut dozens of routes and 70 positions to make up for the loss of federal funds.

“The U.S. Department of Labor is not allowing these funds to flow due to their disagreement with a law that was passed in 2012 by the state of California that limits the amount of pension that public employees can earn,” MST CEO Carl Sedoryk said.

Transit managers said the route to Northridge Mall in Salinas is one of the busiest and it’s going to be one of the ones effected by the funding. That’s troubling news for Adrian Flores, who works at the mall and relies on MST to get there.

“If they cut my routes personally, well, I wouldn’t be able to get to work, and then I’d have to find a job closer (to home). I’d just have to readjust my schedule completely,” Flores said.

MST said the cuts won’t affect routes for seniors, veterans, or people with disabilities. Routes to and from Hartnell College and CSUMB won’t change because they’re funded under separate contracts. But what if the cuts do happen?

“You would see services start later in the morning, they would end earlier in the evening. You would see much less frequency,” Sedoryk said.

Flores said he already has to wait 90 minutes for his morning bus ride.

“So if I’d have to wake up even earlier, that would suck, because I’m up all night studying or get home late from work. I would hope they wouldn’t get changed at all,” Flores said.

MST will hold a public hearing at Salinas City Hall Monday at 5:30 p.m. to get feedback on a draft emergency service reduction plan, which will outline the major cuts to bus routes.

There are more meetings planned through May.