This month Vashon’s bus riders got bad news. Unless the state finds new funding for King Country Metro or gives the county the authority to impose new taxes, bus service on the island could radically change.

The county has made it clear that the so-called illustration of bus service cuts it released last week isn’t a formal proposal, but an example of what the future could hold. If service cuts are required, there’s a good chance Vashon could entirely lose route 119, and trips could be cut on 118.

In some ways Vashon is an easy target for bus cuts. Our small population means that during non-commute times, buses sometimes carry just a few people, and empty seats cost the county. But Vashon is also more vulnerable than other parts of the region. If a bus is eliminated here, riders can’t walk a few blocks to catch a different bus or find a new connection. And our rural nature means that sometimes destinations are far apart and there are fewer options for getting around.

We’re concerned that completely cutting route 119, along with any reductions to 118, will crowd morning and evening buses even more. We know many commuter buses are standing-room only during commute hours, and we hope the county will commit to continuing those trips, lest commuters put more cars on the road in Seattle.

Perhaps of more concern, however, is losing the mid-day or evening buses that have low ridership on Vashon. While such buses are costly and not environmentally friendly, they are also a lifeline for some of Vashon’s most vulnerable: low-income residents who don’t own cars, elderly islanders who no longer drive or young people just trying to get to and from work. Mid-day bus service on Vashon is already sparse, and we’re worried additional reductions could leave some islanders out of options for getting where they need to go.

The bus system isn’t the only one in crisis right now. For years the state has struggled to keep ferries running, to build new highways and to repair streets. Some of Vashon’s lesser-used roads are currently identified to crack and crumble because the county lacks funds to maintain them. Since the recession hit, state and county agencies have buckled down, cut workers and raised fares in an attempt to keep up with Washington’s transportation needs. We’ve now reached the point where only new taxes will save us from feeling the impacts of deep cuts.

We hope that the state and county find reasonable ways to impose new taxes and that county residents consider the impact that reductions would have when they vote. And if deep cuts to bus service must happen, we hope that in closely examining each route — as Metro has said it will do — officials consider Vashon’s unique situation as an island and communicate with riders first. Perhaps officials can think outside the box and consider replacing lesser-used bus trips with smaller buses or VanPool service, an idea proposed by the county last year. Bus cuts could hit Vashon hard, but creative thinking could lessen the impact.