Cuts in public bus service by Pierce Transit have been headed off by improved financial conditions for the agency.

The transit Board of Commissioners voted July 31 in favor of delaying cuts that were scheduled to begin in two months. The action, taken in response to what transit officials said was higher-than-expected sales tax growth over the first five months of 2013, canceled the 28 percent service reduction plan that would have taken effect Sept. 29.

Transit officials said they will evaluate sales tax proceeds as part of a revised service plan that will be submitted later to the commissioners for possible adoption.

Revenue from the countywide sales tax comprises about 75 percent of Pierce Transit’s operating budget annually.

(Read more in the September print edition Senior Scene)