To address the needs for public transportation in the Power Inn Area, The Alliance advocated for improvements to local transportation at a Regional Transit hearing on March 26. Program Manager Dawn Carlson testified before RT managers, its Board of Directors, City Council members and County Supervisors urging RT to reconsider returning bus service #8 and #61 sooner than the Transit Renewal 5-year plan

RT proposed.

     These busses carry passengers to businesses, 20 local social services and 5 nearby schools. Bus #8 route from Florin Mall, Power Inn Rd, to the 65th Street Station, was discontinued in 2010 for being 15 passengers short of the needed ridership. It is proposed to be restored in 2015.

     Bus #61 currently operates from the light rail stations, south on Florin Perkins Rd, and West on Fruitridge to Land Park only once an hour. Service will increase to every 30 minutes, but not until 2017. 

     With little shade and high traffic, bus service is important in the Power Inn Area for those unable to drive, such as the women at St. John's Shelter and many employees of Pride Industries.

     "Obtaining a bus for this area is one of the main reasons this organization was founded," said Carlson, who also chairs the Transportation Demand Management Committee for SACOG. "Employees and residents alike need safe and reliable public transportation." 

     The Alliance was originally formed as a Business and Transportation Assoc. (BTA) in 1993 to advocate for public transportation and the light rail overcrossing Power Inn Rd., an additional major accomplishment was the creation of Bus Route #8 (why the phone number ends with 8888).  It became a Property and Business Improvement District (PBID) in 2007, taking on more responsibilities than just transportation.

The Power Inn Alliance testified to restore Bus #8 before the planned 2015. To view the Transit Renewal 5-year plan click here