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Survival vs. Sustainable What caused the current transit budget challenge? <br /> Community Transit's mission is to provide high-quality transportation service, • A dramatic 18 percent drop in local sales tax revenue. <br /> even if there is less service on the road. But there is much more to transit • Three years of continued flat sales tax revenue. <br /> service than just the bus,fuel and driver. • Decreases in rider fare revenue(despite two fare increases). <br /> Community Transit has nearly 300 buses in its fleet, some built in the mid- • Increased expenses: <br /> 1990s. Many of our buses are on the road for up to 20 hours a day, so they <br /> — Labor costs <br /> are in constant need of preventive maintenance like tire changes, oil changes <br /> — Retirement contributions <br /> and other upkeep. <br /> — Fuel prices <br /> Keeping our bus fleet in top condition is a high priority for our agency. Our — Benefits <br /> mechanics not only know how to change a flat, they also rebuild engines. — Increased demand for paratransit service— <br /> They keep our buses in great condition until they are ready for replacement, our most expensive service. <br /> which the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) says is 12 years. <br /> Replacing buses on schedule is a sustainable business practice. When • Lack of stable local, state and federal transit funding. <br /> equipment is in disrepair and their poor condition threatens our service,that <br /> is survival-mode. <br /> Same is true for our facilities, the two operation bases and two dozen park 2011 OPERATING REVENUE <br /> & rides and transit centers we maintain. They need routine upkeep—not <br /> just emptying the garbage cans, but keeping buildings sound, parking lanes <br /> painted, potholes filled and signs updated. Grants <br /> 11% <br /> For the past three years, Community Transit has had to borrow from its $11:9 minion=>, <br /> capital funds to keep service on the road. A sustainable business plans <br /> for ongoing operation expenses and intermittent capital costs. Therefore, Fares Vis. <br /> available funding must be appropriately divided into service on the road and 14% <br /> $15.2 million <br /> a capital program. That is the difference between survival and sustainable. <br /> Sales Tax <br /> =$106,390,100 59% <br /> $62.7 million <br /> Other <br /> 16% <br /> $16.6 million <br /> 2 • Community Transit Economics Community Transit Economics • 3 <br />