On the Metropolitan Transit Systems’ (MTS) Web site, CEO Paul Jablonski states in his message, “Public transportation plays a vital role in the San Diego region. That role will certainly grow in the future as our region continues to grow and expand.”
With proposed cuts on the table, I am concerned that MTS will no longer play this vital role.
I recognize the challenge MTS faces. Rising gas prices, lower sales-tax revenue and subsidies have put a strain on their budget. Just like all Americans, MTS needs to adjust its budget. However, it doesn’t make sense to balance the budget by cutting routes at a time when community members are looking toward public transportation as a solution to their own budget crunch caused by the rising gas prices.
At Hostelling International San Diego, we are concerned by the proposed changes scheduled for public hearing Downtown today, May 22 at 9 a.m. in the MTS headquarters building, 1255 Imperial Ave., 10th floor.
One change would eliminate weekend service for Route 923, the only bus that directly links Ocean Beach to the airport and Downtown. Eliminating this route negatively impacts on San Diegans taking the bus to the beach on the weekend as well as on travelers staying at our hostel in Point Loma.
Hostelling International San Diego has been a part of the Ocean Beach/Point Loma community for almost 25 years. Hostels provide friendly, inexpensive overnight accommodations for travelers, offering dormitory-style rooms with separate quarters for men and women, as well as private rooms.
The family-friendly Point Loma Hostel is a favorite among travelers. With an occupancy rate of 86 percent, the hostel hosts over 3,500 visitors annually. Last year, the hostel was rated No. 6 in the world by hihostels.com and was voted “Friendliest in the World” by the users. The hostel provides an affordable alternative for many travelers.
Hostelling International’s vision is for hostellers to become caring world citizens who are catalysts for intercultural exchange and understanding, and who are stewards of the earth. Hostellers use public transportation. Over 60 percent of our hostellers have come to San Diego without a car.
Over half of the hostellers are international, coming from cities where public transportation is the norm, not the exception. Hostellers need the bus to get to the hostel and they use the bus to get around San Diego.
MTS has offered other choices: To get Downtown, a hosteller can walk 30 minutes with their backpacks and suitcases to Ocean Beach, catch Route 35, and transfer to Route 30 or the Blue Line Trolley, doubling ride time and adding the two-mile walk to the bus stop. What is the other choice, or is there only one?
There is no alternative route proposed for transportation to the airport.
Our hosteller’s options are limited. Hostellers can rent a car, impacting the neighborhood parking and the environment, stay at another location or choose not to come to San Diego at all. As one of our Canadian visitors asked, “How do hostellers get around without this transportation option?”
There has to be another solution to this budget crisis. If the MTS board of directors believes in Mr. Jablonski’s message, it would not allow these cuts to go through.
Sue Schaffner
Executive Director
Hostelling International USA, San Diego Council