Annapolis Plans Bus Route Cutbacks in Next Budget

A budget proposal to trim more than $300,000 from the Annapolis transportation budget would reduce services across the board.

The city's Transportation Director Richard Newell told The Capital that the budget shortfall it is facing is a result of problems with grants, overtime pay and accidents. As a result, the department is planning to cut back on some aspects of its service for residents in next year's budget.

Some of these proposals include:

• Eliminating the green, yellow, red and brown bus routes on Saturdays.
• One additional bus for the brown route during peak times.
• The city's circulator trolley would begin at 8 a.m. instead of 6:30 a.m.
• Expanding the purple bus route's coverage area to accommodate for cutbacks to other routes.

The transportation department's website notes that "some housing complexes will be negatively affected," by the proposed changes, including increased walking distance to reach a bus stop. To view a complete list of all the proposed changes, view the full report on City Hall's website.

Two public hearings are scheduled this month on the issue. Have a concern about the proposed changes? Let them be heard on April 22 at 7 p.m. at Pip Moyer Recreation Center, or on April 30 at 7 p.m. at Annapolis City Hall.

More information on the proposed changes and the hearings can be found on City Hall's website.

Correction: This story was updated to correct information regarding a change to the brown route. A bus will be added to the route. Patch regrets the error.