October 14, 2009 > Letter to the editor: Prevent cuts to AC Transit services Letter to the editor: Prevent cuts to AC Transit services In difficult times, elected officials must make tough budgetary decisions. One area where we should minimize cuts is transportation. The AC Transit Board is considering 15 percent service cuts to its bus routes. I have served on an AC Transit policy committee since 2000 and understand how public transit affects people's daily lives. When we cut transit, it's an inconvenience for many and devastating for some. For many youth, seniors on fixed incomes and citizens, who cannot afford cars, a safe, reliable bus is their lifeline to the world. Weakening this connection means weakening these citizens' connections to jobs, family and society. While Governor Schwarzenegger is hailed as the "Green Governor," the state has cut $26M per year from AC Transit. Hayward City Council, on which I serve, recently passed a Climate Action Plan which shows almost half of our emissions come from cars. The State makes a mockery of its recently implemented laws to curb global warming when it reduces funding for public transit and, thus, creates more greenhouse gases. I support the AC Transit Board's request to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to use capital funds to prevent these bus service cuts. Kevin Dowling Hayward City Councilmember