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.
"Gasoline and diesel prices have gone up in recent years," Gaston said. "It used to be a small part of our operating budget, but it has increased dramatically to the point of instead of being negligible, it is about 15 percent of our operating budget.
"It became imperative to reduce our use of diesel fuel to become more fuel-efficient."
MAKING ADJUSTMENTS
Robert Hill, a bus driver for MITS, said he thinks the company will be in good shape for the coming years because of changes in routes and the hybrid buses.
"I don't foresee us being put in that situation where anyone will lose their job," he said. "We've cut corners as far as cutting routes a couple years ago, and we try to watch our budget all the way around. That's part of the reason for the hybrids."
Payroll and fuel account for the largest portion of the company's budget, Hill said.
"I'm sure that as long as we can cover those on a given basis, we will be fine," he said.
EYES AND EARS
As the local economy continues its slow revival, Hill said MITS becomes even more important than ever as a means to get around.
"I think MITS is critical to the community, especially with the way the economy is and the way gas prices are," he said. "I think it'll be unbelievable what our numbers will be, and it's critical that we stay on top of our routes and make sure that they're run efficiently, too.
"Plus, we cover the entire city, which makes us the eyes and ears of the community."
Hill mentioned a situation when a little boy got on the bus crying and asked to use his cell phone. The boy said his mother had just beat him up and he called 911 to report it. The city police responded and got him off of the bus.
"It was a lifesaver for him," Hill said. "I think child protection took him and put him in a safe environment."
Gaston also mentioned a time when one of the drivers found a toddler alone on a sidewalk. She took the child onto her bus and called it in on the radio. She found that the police and family had been searching for the toddler throughout the city.
"That was a really feel good moment to know that we had the child and everything was okay," Gaston said.
IMPACTING THE COMMUNITY
Cheryl Sumpter, 15, said she uses Muncie's transit system because her family doesn't have a car to get around town.
"I use MITS to get about everywhere, especially for groceries, laundry and shopping, because we don't have a car," she said. "So pretty much any place that is far away, we use MITS."
But Gaston said she's uncertain about MITS' future and its service plans, which could hurt people such as Sumpter.
"There's a lot of uncertainty on all sides," she said. "It makes it so hard year after year to plan anything in the future or know where we might have to make cuts or if we'll ever be able to expand."
Hill said MITS drivers work through the tough times by giving it their best effort.
"Basically every one of us have a job to do," he said. "It takes all of us together doing each little part to make one big picture."
By the numbers:
$6 million- spent on expenses in 2010
$6.5 million- spent on expenses in 2008
$1.6 million- amount of federal funding for MITS in both 2010 and 2011
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