It's good to hear that Metro Transit is thinking about restoring all-day bus service to Seaview Avenue.

However, I do not think the community should stand for Metro's proposal to pay for this service by cutting off-peak service on 32nd Avenue, and terminating all Route 17 service at 9 p.m.

Metro seems to think that the best they can do for Ballard is to shuffle scarce dollars among limited ridership. If Ballard were a car-loving place, or an area losing population, they might have an argument.

Instead, people are moving in here by the thousands - meaning more potential revenue for transit, in addition to greater demand. And the general population of Ballard, no matter how long we've been here, are here to have a home where driving isn't mandatory.

There will be a meeting at the Northwest Senior Center, 5429 32nd Ave. NW, on Thursday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. Please come to the meeting, and contact the officials. Neighbors shouldn't be fighting neighbors over bad bus service. The changes in Ballard instead require excellent transit service here - and it's about time.

If you can't be there, the officials responsible will appreciate e-mail from Ballard about the 17 and transit in general:

- King County Councilman Larry Phillips: larry.phillips@kingcounty.gov

- Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond: kevin.desmond@kingcounty.gov.

Mark Dublin

Ballard