Sure Cuts Alot

Muncie transit system faces tough budget cuts

This story has been changed from its original version to reflect that on May 2, MITS was told that the Public Mass Transportation fund would be eliminated. The fund brought in $1.5 million to MITS last year. Also, Ashley Reed and Alberto Pimienta contributed to this story.

The public transportation system serving Muncie for almost 30 years could face major changes in the way it operates as a result of federal and state budget cuts.

Federal budget cuts could mean an elimination of state funding for the Muncie Indiana Transit System.

Mary Gaston, assistant general manager of MITS, said federal funding for this year would be the same as it was in 2010 — about $1.6 million. In addition, she said MITS found out on May 2 that the Public Mass Transportation fund, which affects its state funding, would be eliminated. In 2010, the fund brought in $1,554, 307 to MITS.

Gaston's husband, Ted, is director of maintenance for the company. He said it would be hard to cut anything from the already thin budget.

"We've pretty much cut all the fat out of our service a long time ago," he said. "If we get to a point where funding is down far enough, we're going to be cutting into our bread and butter. I'll be laying off mechanics. I'll be laying off cleaners."

CUTTING DEEPER

His wife said MITS has had problems with cuts in the past.

"In 2008, we had to make some service cuts because we had to make some significant reductions in the budget," Gaston said. "We were very fortunate we did not have to lay anybody off or let anybody go."

However she said with recent cuts to MITS' budget, she may be forced to make some changes.

"I hate letting people go, and our employees are really good people," Gaston said. "We have an excellent work force and while we're a fairly large employer, we all know each other really well. It's kind of like a big family and the thought of letting anybody go hurts.

"But, if all of these cuts come through, I don't know if we can avoid letting people go or not."

CUTTING DOWN EXPENSES

Despite changes to its budget, MITS expenses have decreased in recent years. MITS spent more than $6 million in 2010 on expenses, according to the Introduction to MITS booklet, down $500,000 since 2008.

In addition, the company has acquired five hybrid electric-diesel buses to help with recent increases in gas prices.

Hybrid buses are powered by both a diesel engine and electric motor, according to the MITS website. They use less fuel and produce less exhaust into the atmosphere because they use electric power for acceleration.

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