MTD drivers, supervisors, mechanics, and utility workers are represented by Teamsters Union Local 186, which has concerns about the impact of California’s Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) on bargaining rights. These concerns have created a situation that may cause MTD to lose federal funding. Loss of this funding would force MTD to reduce its operating budget by approximately 30 percent and severely reduce transit service in our area, possibly as soon as January 2014. While it is sincerely hoped that the issue will be resolved before such service reductions become necessary, MTD must plan for them – just in case.
MTD has prepared “Revised Option A” draft Emergency Service Reduction Plan, which may be reviewed on the MTD website (www.sbmtd.gov) and are available at the Transit Center at 1020 Chapala Street.
MTD is hosting two additional Transit Talk meetings on this subject: ► Thursday, August 29, 6:30 P.M. at Embarcadero Hall, 935 Embarcadero del Norte, Isla Vista
► Tuesday, September 10, 6:00 P.M. at the MTD Administrative Office, 550 Olive Street, Santa Barbara (free bus transportation will be provided after this meeting).
The public is encouraged to attend the Transit Talk meetings to provide input. MTD encourages those interested but unable to attend the meeting to either:
►Write to MTD, 550 Olive Street, Santa Barbara CA 93101 ► Call (805) 963-3364 x555 ► Send an email to info@sbmtd.gov