End to El Cerrito-Vallejo Sunday Bus Service Proposed

The only Sunday bus service between El Cerrito and Vallejo would be eliminated under planned changes in service by the Solano County Transit agency, also known at Soltrans.

The agency is holding community meetings to receive public feedback on several proposed cost-cutting service reductions, including the elimination of Sunday service for the number 80 bus that runs bewteen the del Norte BART station in El Cerrito and Vallejo. Comments can also be sent online or by mail to Soltrans.

The first two meetings, in Vallejo on March 6, drew "lots of questions, some anger and even a few tears," according to the Vallejo Times-Herald newspaper. Most complaints focused on loss of Sunday service, the paper reported.

Final revisions will be made after the last community meeting, on March 20, and will be presented to the board at a public hearing on April 19, the Times-Herald said. SolTrans' director of operations, Jeanine Wooley, said cuts and consolidation are required because of a $3-million budget deficit, the paper said.

"I work on Sundays," rider Deborah Fleming said, according to the Times-Herald. "How am I supposed to get to San Francisco? You're holding people hostage. I have to get to work ... And I can't afford to take the ferry."

One woman said people moved to Vallejo and took jobs depending on its bus system to be there for them, the paper reported.

A one-way bus trip from del Norte BART to Vallejo costs $5 and takes 24 minutes on Sunday, according to 511.org. The public transit option without the bus line would require taking BART to San Francisco, Muni to Pier 41 and the ferry to Vallejo, a trip taking at least two and a half hours, according to Google Maps. 

Two more community meetings are scheduled to be held in Bencia: City Council Chambers, 250 East L St., Wed., March 14, 6-8 p.m.; and the Benicia Senior Center, 187 East L St., Tues., March 20, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

The public hearing, where the Soltrans board will consider the final revisions, is scheduled in Vallejo at the Florence Douglas Senior Center, 333 Amador St., Thurs., April 19, 7 p.m.

Soltrans said comments can be submitted online at the agency's Web site at www.soltransride.com. From the home page, select “Find Out More about SolTrans” and scroll to the bottom of the page to leave a comment.

Comments can also be submitted by regular mail to SolTrans, Attn: Clerk of the Board, 311 Sacramento Street, Vallejo, CA 94590.

The Soltrans notice on the meetings and proposed service reductions is attached to this article.