Editor,

I’ve read that it costs $200,000 per year to run the 411W bus to March Point near Anacortes. However, the proposed Route 4 to Deception Pass would operate anyhow.

So, what would be the cost to extend the proposed six runs per day of the Route 4 from Deception Pass to March Point? It’s certainly not $200,000.

That would be $8.55 cents per mile — 15 mile round trip extra distance. If Route 4 included Saturday service, that calculates to $7.12 per mile. That is not the cost per passenger mile. That cost would probably be less than $1 per mile.

Statistics can lie. Let’s use common sense.

The route to March Point is heavily used. It fulfills a need. The additional cost per passenger mile is less than most other Island Transit routes.

Six runs per day for the No. 1 route using the small bus for Saturday service would also serve a need and would likely be a low cost per passenger mile.

The new transit center is built to accommodate 20 years of expected growth. Now, instead of growth, we have decreased service. Is it possible to lease unused transit center space to reduce the financial impact of this over design inefficiency?

Does anyone on the Island Transit board use the Island Transit bus system?

Tim Verschuyl

Oak Harbor