The Word From e-Tran's Route 58

March 25, 2015 |

Call it lucky timing.

Today was the first time I have been able to use e-Tran commuter Route 58 following the City of Elk Grove's first workshop on Thursday, March 12 regarding proposed route changes. There were plenty of words spoken about the proposed changes by commuters on today's afternoon 58, and none were favorable toward the proposed changes.

e-Tran Route 58 riders signing petition voice opposition to the

City of Elk Grove eliminating commuter routes. 

As the first rider to board 58 on 7th and G in Sacramento, I was in position to see every rider enter the bus. On the second stop, a regular rider had a petition in hand seeking signatures from fellow riders. 

The petitioner asked all who boarded to sign, and as the bus filled, the petition was passed around and eagerly signed. According to the woman spearheading the signature gathering, she received  the petition from a co-worker who rides Route 59, who in turn got it from a Route 60 rider.

The gatherer said she was getting signatures, today and would turn them over to the organizer for presentation at tomorrow's workshop. 

While I am not a daily rider on 58, I can say most every time I have used the service, most riders are plugged into the personal electronic devices, and for the most part, keep to themselves.  

Not so today.

There was almost non-stop chatter among the riders from the time boarding to disembarkation time. As one might expect, the chatter ran the gamut, but suffice it to say none of it was in favor of abandoning the commuter routes for Light Rail. 

Tomorrow night the City will hold the second of its two planned workshop and ElkGroveNews.net will provide live streaming video of the proceedings. It will be interesting to see how many more signatures are presented and how many people show up to participate and undoubtedly voice their opinion.