Transit plan strands needy

Once again, Spokane Transit plans on discontinuing the No. 46 Altamont route. This time they think they can get away with it because they plan to expand the No. 2 Southside Shuttle (medical route) to make up the difference. I can’t see how that will be sufficient.

The No. 46 Altamont serves, almost exclusively, the area between Eighth and 20th avenues, and Madelia and Regal streets. This is one mile square, or 144 city blocks, with an average of 10 single-family dwellings on those blocks. Cutting this route would effectively strand those who have no vehicle in those 1,440 families. Most of those who will be stranded are disabled or elderly.

The No. 46 Altamont is not cost-effective. But Spokane Transit is a public service, not a profit-making corporation. Please call Spokane Transit at 328-RIDE, or go to the center downtown and fill out a form protesting this plan. Remind them that in order to serve the public, they need to be willing to use surplus funds generated in one area to subsidize another area that may not pay for itself but is still needed by the public it serves.

Art Seaton

Spokane