Commuter and Sunday Bus Service Saved?

Yakima has found a way to save the Sunday bus service and Yakima-Ellensburg commuter bus service.

City Manager Tony O'Rourke says the City Council is being asked to approve a deal with Airporter Shuttle to operate the Yakima-Ellensburg route.

Fares will increase from $4 to $5. We’ll consolidate the number of trips from eight to six. That will all make this route independent of state operating support making it self sufficient. The City Council will also consider a new plan to continue Sunday bus service.

O'Rourke says the council has three options: cut the service, reduce hours or maintain the service as-is. He says the city could save about $165,000 per year by reducing the hours from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the afternoon.

The City Council meets at 6 tonight at City Hall.