OCEANSIDE
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The chief of North County's lead transit agency yesterday said a deepening budget crisis will likely lead to significant staff cuts this spring.
Karen King, executive director of the North County Transit District, expects layoff notices to be issued to about 10 percent of the agency's 600-member staff, including bus drivers.
“These are positions at all levels of the organization,” she said.
King said the agency is trying to preserve as many positions as possible, but that a $3 million budget gap is forcing it to make tough choices about funding.
The agency, which operates the Sprinter and Coaster rail lines, along with the Breeze bus network, is considering fare increases and eliminating at least a dozen bus routes.
The board plans to weigh the cost-saving measures at a budget meeting at 2 p.m. Thursday at the agency's headquarters at 810 Mission Ave. in Oceanside.
King said layoff notices were given Thursday to three senior managers as part of an ongoing staff restructuring, fueled by a steady decline in state funding.
NCTD and the region's other major transit agency, the Metropolitan Transit System in San Diego, are both embarking on major cuts due to the loss of state revenue. Skyrocketing fuel costs are also eating into the agencies' operating budgets.
NCTD is looking at increasing Coaster fares by $1. Bus and Sprinter day passes might increase by 50 cents.
NCTD will hold a public hearing on the proposed service cuts at 2:30 p.m. Monday at Escondido City Hall.
Steve Schmidt: (619) 293-1380; steve.schmidt@uniontrib.com
