Proposed cuts to Metro bus service may be averted because of a fare increase approved by the county council and a funding measure that King County voters will decide on in April.

Last fall, Metro released plans for a countywide 17-percent cut to bus service that it said would be necessary because of falling sales tax revenue and the expiration of temporary funding. On Vashon, routes 118 and 119 were slated for 20 percent reductions in service. Proposed cuts meant that island bus service would begin later in the morning, end earlier in the evening and run less frequently during the day.

Last week, in a step to bolster Metro funding, the Metropolitan King County Council passed a 25-cent fare increase that will begin in March of 2015, bringing a peak one-zone adult fare to $2.75.

To further address the funding shortfall, earlier this year, the council created a county Transportation Benefit District charged with putting forward new taxes. Now county voters will see an April 22 ballot measure that calls for a $60 car-tab fee and a one-tenth of a cent sales tax increase. Metro officials say that combined, the vehicle fee and tax are estimated to bring in $130 million a year, sufficient to avoid the proposed reductions.

“If the ballot measure passes, Metro will withdraw its proposals for service reductions and restructures,” said Victor Obeso, the manager of service development for King County Metro.

Funds from the ballot measure would provide funds for road repair as well as support Metro.

When the council voted to increase fares, it also created a low-income fare program to ensure that communities and individuals that depend on public transit as their primary source of transportation are not “left behind,” according to a press release.

“The county continues to exhaust its authority to maintain Metro bus service,” said councilmember Joe McDermott (D-Burien) in the release. “While this fare increase is needed to help address Metro’s funding gap, we must also work to ensure that low-income folks can get around the region.”

The reduced fare will be available to adult riders with incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $23,000 in annual income for an individual or up to $47,100 for a family of four. The reduced fares for adults will be $1.25 if the ballot measure passes and $1.50 if the ballot measure does not, county officials said.

Metro will provide a fare implementation plan by this June to the county council, Obeso noted. The council is expected to adopt it later in the year.

While the fare changes are set for a year from now, the car-tab and tax increases will require voter approval this spring. Metro’s financial planning process included the fare increases, Obeso said. If the April measure does not pass, however, Metro will go forward with the planned cuts to bus service.