Bus services in jeopardy

Am wondering if readers realize how close we are, (In East

King County), getting to a major reduction of ACCESS and DART bus service.

Those of us who are one or more of the following: elderly\ disabled\

low income, have enjoyed several years of being able to use these buses to

see our doctors, go grocery shopping, attend Senior Center activities, go

to church, etc.

Being able to ride the buses has enhanced the quality of our lives,

getting us out and into the community, and enabled us to retrieve some of

our independence.

I.695 made a large dent in the state budget. Therefore, our County

Council members have to be very creative as they search for ways to recoup

the lost revenue.

King County has about 800,000 citizens who are classified as

disabled, and, our population is growing. We're getting older, living to our 80s and

90s, able to do less. All of this even before the Baby Boomers move into the

senior population!

This problem will not go away. The need for ACCESS and DART

bus service will never be less than it is now. A permanent funding solution must

be discovered.

Please help us: call the County Executive, Ron Sims and our

12^th District Councilman, David Irons, Jr.

Sims can be reached at (206) 296-4040 (e-mail:

ron.sims@metrokc.gov) and Irons at: (206) 296-1012

(e-mail: david.iron@metrokc.gov.

A call to (206) 296-1000 will let you know who your council

member is. Ask them to keep ACCESS and DART. Thanks for your help.

Nancy D. SanCarlos

Issaquah

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