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Residents and Valley Transit warn proposed cuts would strip essential rides and federal match
Summary
At a special April 28 Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly meeting, dozens of residents urged the Assembly to reverse proposed cuts to Valley Transit funding, warning a 25% local reduction would eliminate federal matching funds and critical rides for dialysis patients, seniors and commuters.
Valley Transit’s executive director told the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly on April 28 that a proposed local reduction in transit support would cost the borough federal funding and service hours while residents and drivers described immediate harms to medical riders, seniors and commuters.
"With the 25% reduction, it's about another $500,000 or half a million of FTA funding that we won't get," Jennifer Bush said, estimating that "it's $750,000 total services that won't be provided to the MATSU anymore." Bush briefed the Assembly on how Valley Transit operates a commuter fixed-route to Anchorage and a local demand-response service inside the valley, and why transit fares cover only a small portion of operating costs.
Public commenters echoed that warning. "A lot of our passengers are medical patients...these are life-critical procedures three times a week," said Valley Transit driver Brian McDerman, urging the Assembly to "reconsider the 25% deficit for…
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