Pierce Transit furloughs, lays off employees amid revenue declines during coronavirus
Pierce Transit will lay off or furlough nearly 90 employees, including some bus drivers, this week as a result of the coronavirus’ financial impact on the agency.
Agency officials decided last week that 63 employees in administration and operations and maintenance would receive furloughs. Twenty-five relief bus drivers will be laid off.
Pierce Transit’s projected revenue is expected to see up to a $47 million cut — about one-fourth of the total budget — due to the coronavirus pandemic, spokesperson Rebecca Japhet told The News Tribune on Tuesday. Service is down 38 percent, and total ridership has decreased by 66 percent on weekdays.
Japhet said most of the furloughs were taken voluntarily, and Pierce Transit will cover employees’ insurance during furloughs.
“The purpose of these furloughs is to reduce staffing through this time and be able to begin bringing folks back on when service is increased again, or if needed,” she said.
The furloughs vary from eight weeks to 17 weeks depending on position.
A relief drivers laid off filled in for regular drivers sick or on vacation. Pierce Transit is providing two months of health care and call-back rights when the agency begins hiring again, Japhet said.
In recent months, the transit agency has reduced services to modified Sunday schedules, adjusted staffing levels and waived fares to protect bus drivers.
Pierce Transit expects to reintroduce some service on May 24 and further increase service in September, Japhet said.
This story was originally published May 13, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
