With ridership down, Downey could consider eliminating bus service

Council members are considering eliminating the Downey Link, citing declining ridership. (Photo by Eric Pierce)

DOWNEY — The Downey Link’s days may be numbered, as at least two council members have signaled interest in doing away with the public transportation service.

At the city council meeting last Thursday, Councilman Mario Trujillo said that he would like the council “to consider eliminating the Downey Link” come budget talks next year.

“Every time I see a Downey Link there’s no one in it, except for one time I saw one person,” said Trujillo. “I understand that some cities are providing alternative methods of transportation for those in need, but I think it’s time we consider eliminating the Downey Link.”

Councilmember Donald La Plante agreed, saying there were things the city needed to do other than “continue to run the service that isn’t being used by virtually anyone.”

“That bus serves what I’m told is 60,000 people a year. When you back it out, that’s 250 a day, and I’m told most of those are students going to or from high school,” said La Plante. “I’ve seen buses with two [people], but most of the time I see either zero or one.

“We’re running buses around town, using up fuel, polluting the air, doing whatever we’re doing and transporting no one.”

The Downey Link runs four routes Monday through Friday, from 6:30-9 am, and 2-6:30 pm. Riders are charged a 50 cent fare or one Downey Link bus ticket.

Downey Link usage has been on a steady decline over the years, according to information included in the city’s latest budget report.

In fiscal year 2017-18, the Downey Link transported more than 120,500 riders. This year, however, the city’s buses are only anticipated to see 68,000 riders, less than Downey’s annual goal of 105,000.

La Plante said that the city needed “a different model.”

“Whether that means we need to expand our Dial-a-Ride programs to people other than those that are just over 65, that’s our current rule. Maybe it’s, say, 55. Maybe it’s 50, maybe it’s anybody. But at the amount of money we’re spending on the Downey Link, we could hire Uber to drive those people around.”

The city’s Parks and Recreation Department is budgeted to spend $3,331,581 in grant funding this fiscal year. According to Parks and Recreation Director Jason Chacon, those monies are split between Downey Link and Dial-a-Ride, with a majority going to the Downey Link.