The Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners voted last night to cut service by 34 percent, starting September 29, 2013. The service reductions come in the wake of the defeat last November of a proposed three tenths of a cent sales tax increase. The cuts will likely include the elimination of all weekend and holiday service because the working poor who rely on bus service never work weekends and holidays. Or something.

“We understand these reductions will deeply impact thousands in our communities,” Tacoma Mayor and Pierce Transit Board Chair Marilyn Strickland said in a statement. “This was a difficult decision.”

These cuts will come on top of a 35 percent service reduction just last year. That's a 57 percent cut in service over just two years.

Pierce Transit, which relies on sales tax revenues for 71 percent of its operations, has seen a four-year decline in sales tax revenues, but the legislature refused to grant it the same temporary car tab authority King County Metro exercised last year to stave off deep cuts. Fifty-six percent of Pierce Transit riders earn less than $20,000 a year, and 45 percent do not own a working vehicle. But, you know, fuck 'em.