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MTS bus routes closing, leaving some stranded in Mission Hills

Part of 'Transit Optimization Plan'
Posted at 12:04 AM, Jul 21, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-21 08:39:39-04

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Residents in San Diego County are concerned about potential closures to bus routes.

Patricia Paylor rides the 83 bus route from Mission Hills to get to work and is concerned that the MTS is talking about shutting it down.

“If they don’t keep the route like it is, they’re going to have probably 40 or 50 people out of work,” Paylor said.

In 2016, MTS launched its Transit Optimization Plan (TOP) to evaluate MTS’ current network of services to ensure that it is efficient and effective for the region’s travel needs.

MTS collected nearly 6,000 surveys and attended over 50 outreach events across the region. Using rider input in conjunction with system performance data and ridership patterns, MTS has finalized proposals for changes to over 60 routes.

Click here to view proposed bus route changes

Paylor said some of those surveys are inaccurate because they were taken during midday when ridership is already low, instead of peak times during the morning commute.

"Everybody's been so worried," she said. "This is their bus, this is it. This is the only one that gets them.”

A spokesperson for MTS said it's hard to make decisions like this, and nothing is set in stone yet. A final decision will be made in September.