From Iceland — Mayor To Review Cutting Bus Service

Mayor To Review Cutting Bus Service

Published January 20, 2011

Mayor of Reykjavík Jón Gnarr intends to review proposed cuts to city bus services, in the hopes that a solution can be found that would prevent such measures.
Like other Icelandic institutions, the capital city has had to tighten its belt lately. Millions need to be slashed from the budget, and that money needs to come from somewhere.
The bus company Strætó, which is owned by the capital and surrounding municipalities, has also felt the pinch. As a result, they recently announced plans to reduce service, which is planned to take effect on 1 February.
In city council yesterday, Leftist-Green councilperson Sóley Tómasdóttir brought the matter up, pointing out that “the board of Strætó does not unilaterally decide to make cuts.”
The mayor agreed, and said that he would review the bus situation. He added furthermore that he wanted to do everything in his power to prevent the proposed service changes.
Karl Sigurðsson, the chairperson of the city’s environmental and transportation committee, told Smugan that “it is quite clear that [the city council majority] does not want to make cuts to public transportation.”

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