Ramona Says Good-Bye FAST
By Tracy Rolling

The FAST bus, a curb-to-curb service provided by North County Transit District, shows how mini-buses are equipped to assist disabled and blind citizens.

The decision to discontinue the Ramona bus service - known as the FAST bus - was made last month during a North County Transit District (NCTD) board meeting.

Nine board members voted unanimously to approve the proposed budget and eliminate FAST, a curb-to-curb service where customers can call a mini-bus to transport them from their home to a specified location within their zone, or bring them to a fixed bus stop.

"FAST was pulled from all four of the proposed areas - Encinitas, Fallbrook, Vista and Ramona," said Tom Kelleher, NCTD Marketing and Communications Manager.

Also affected was the frequency that buses travel their routes, including Route 386, which runs between Escondido and Ramona.

Kelleher said, "386 will be reduced to four round-trips a day - two in the morning and two again in the afternoon - Monday through Friday. It's designed to accommodate working people and students during peak travel times." Kelleher admitted it was not an easy decision for the board to make.

Ramona resident Sherrie Rohter explains to Jeff Zevely and Joe Wiedemann of KFMB News 8 the impact that the changes in public transportation will have on her life.

Sherrie Rohter, a 33-year Ramona resident and triplegic said, "The Breeze and FAST are literally my lifeline. Without them I'd just as soon become a bed-ridden hermit."

Rohter uses public transportation for doctors appointments, running errands, occasional recreation and for work; she's a greeter at Kmart in Ramona.

"These services are the only way I have to get out. There's no other service that can pick me up," she explained.

Rohter's electric wheelchair weighs between 150 and 250 pounds and she lives on an unpaved road. Not only is she concerned for herself, but for others who face similar challenges.

Last month in an attempt to sway NCTD board members, she invited KFMB News Channel 8 to her house to witness the impact this change will have on her life.

Ms. Daniella DeFlores spoke about her concerns regarding the Ramona FAST bus, Route 386, the size of buses and increasing bus fares at a special meeting of North County Transit District held May 12 in Escondido.Photo by Darrel Kinney

Rohter hoped NCTD would consider reducing service or raising fees, and is extremely disappointed saying, "I'm not sure what I'm going to do now."

The board needed to balance a proposed 91.3 million dollar budget for the 2008-09 fiscal year beginning July 1.

Kelleher said, "The budget dictates the level of service we can provide to riders. Board members would like nothing more than to increase routes and add services, but during these tough economic times, it's just not possible."

Referencing the rising cost of fuel, reduced funding from the government, and fewer people purchasing cars and other hard goods which generate sales tax revenue for NCTD, the board was left with no choice but to eliminate the FAST service and decrease the number of Breeze routes offered.

In May, NCTD held a public hearing to discuss the proposed cuts, but at the time, no decision was made. Public comments were taken under consideration and the district considered other alternatives.

Kelleher said, "There's no telling if the service will return or not. We constantly update our routes based on ridership, and our goal is to provide safe, accessible public transportation for all citizens."

The FAST change will go into effect August 10, 2008, while other service reductions will occur between August and January 2009.

Additionally, a new fare increase goes into effect on Tuesday, July 1.

To view the North County Transit schedule, visit www.gonctd.com/.