I urge people to vote “yes” for the Island Transit sales tax. I am a regular rider. It is my only transportaion for my daughter and I. I cannot speak for everyone but a car is expensive when your income is on a budget.

I am blessed to have fare-free bus service that gets me where I truly need to go: Shopping, doctor visits in Anacortes, hair appointments, even taking a day to pay my bills.

My only hope down the road is that they extend this service to later in the evening and Sundays. I have been looking for work lately and you know how hard it is to look for a job when the buses do not run later and on Sundays? I hear a lot from other passengers and those I have talked to are very grateful for this bus service. I also know for a fact that even tourist take the bus.

I want to take a moment to explain why I will pay the sales tax. You can save money, the ecosystem, it will keep road rage at a minimum and accidents down, not to mention if you had one drink or two it won’t cost you a thing to get home and then pick up your car the next day.

Paratransit is a lifesaver for the people who need it the most. They are on a strict income and some are physically disabled and cannot drive. So if they have doctor appointments, need groceries, a hair cut, or whatever, paratransit is there for them. So please vote for this sales tax, I know I will.

Bobbie Massengale

Coupeville