The consequences of inaction to date on stable and sustainable funding for public transit were spelled out last week, as King County Metro Transit detailed drastic cuts to bus service that must be planned now in the absence of funding.

Nine Redmond area bus routes could be affected: 250, 930, 221, 232, 245, 248, 249, 269 and 931.

“The time for action is now, with the Legislature in special session, to avert cuts to bus service that would be without precedent in the 40-year history of Metro,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “It is unconscionable that King County should be compelled to cut bus service, due to lack of funding authority from the state.”

Temporary funding dedicated for Metro Transit expires next year, and Metro has exhausted its reserves and implemented many efficiencies and cost-savings. Metro’s service guidelines identify the need for increasing service by 15 percent — but without funding in place after next year, Metro released a proposal that details up to 17 percent in cuts to bus service. Another 150 daily bus trips between West Seattle and downtown Seattle — buses that ease construction congestion during the Alaskan Way Viaduct project — also are at risk of being canceled in June when state funding ends.

The state legislature is again considering statewide transportation funding during a special session. But until a solution is finalized Metro Transit must take steps to prepare to cancel 74 bus routes and reduce service on another 107 routes starting next year. The proposed cuts are needed to reduce Metro’s costs and would affect riders and communities across King County beginning as soon as June 2014.

• 74 of Metro’s 214 routes would be deleted, including the local routes 250 and 930.

• 107 routes would be reduced or revised. Examples of changes are fewer trips, service ending earlier at night, deletion of the tail-end of a route and combination of routes. The local routes include: 221, 232, 245, 248, 249, 269 and 931.

• 33 routes would not be changed, but would likely become more crowded as they absorb riders who lost their service. The local routes include: 216, 219, 224 and 268.

Metro plans public meetings and other informational opportunities throughout the county during the next three months. Riders with questions or comments can visit Metro’s service cuts page for more information: http://metro.kingcounty.gov/am/future/participate.html#calendar