The Marin-Sonoma Coordinated Transit Service (MASCOTS) plan has disrupted the lives of many in our community, including mine. I enjoyed the convenience of Golden Gate Transit Route 101, which used to provide seamless travel from Sonoma County to San Francisco. With its sudden discontinuation north of Novato, I, along with many residents, find ourselves stranded, unable to easily commute as we once did.

Now, the proposed changes under MASCOTS threaten to cut Sonoma County Transit Route 44, potentially leaving me and countless others without access to a bus near our homes. This is not just an inconvenience; it’s a significant disruption to our daily lives. Many people in the community have expressed their frustrations, especially since the alternative SMART trains are often overcrowded, leaving commuters scrambling for space during peak hours.

The MASCOTS plan, while presumably well-intentioned, has failed to consider the impact on those who rely on these public transit routes. We need a transit system that serves its people, not one that forces them into less convenient and crowded options. By discontinuing beloved routes like the 101 and possibly the 44, the plan has neglected the very essence of public service: accessibility and reliability.

Our communities in Sonoma and Marin counties deserve better. We deserve a transit system that listens to our needs and adapts accordingly. It’s time to reevaluate the MASCOTS plan, keeping the needs of everyday commuters at its heart.

I urge you to sign this petition to demand a revision of the MASCOTS plan. Let's work together to ensure that our public transit system is genuinely serving our community's needs. Your signature can make a difference in preserving and improving the convenience and accessibility of public transportation in our area.