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Voters Will Consider Bus System In Wexford County

Voters in Wexford County will get to decide whether to continue supporting their bus system.

The county commission unanimously undid a vote from May that would have kept bus funding off the ballot.

But some commissioners still question whether taxpayers are getting their money's worth from the service.

Karen Carey took the bus to the Wexford County Commissioners meeting, where a driver helped her off with a wheel-chair lift.

Carey says she depends on these buses.

"I go to Walmart, Meijer, doctor's visits, Cadillac senior center, but otherwise I'd be sitting at home all the time, because I can't get out and travel too far," Carey says.

She and others packed into a hot room to ask the county to put bus funding up to a vote of the people. Commissioners had earlier said no to putting it on the November ballot. Bus officials said that would mean they'd have to cut service outside Cadillac city limits.

That wouldn't work for Jackie Durst, though she lives in the city. She can't drive for medical reasons.

"It gives me my independence," Durst says. "My family lives far away, and I will be going to Traverse City for cancer treatments in the future on the CWTA."

Commissioner Leslie Housler agrees buses are needed.

"Nobody on the board ever questioned the need for the service," Housler says. "It's the cost of the service."

Among the concerns, some asked why the buses are not smaller, since there are often many empty seats. Transit officials say demand is growing and there are safety reasons for the bus sizes.

The tax renewal will be on the November 4 general election ballot.