Faced with intense opposition from residents, Elk Grove has backed off a proposed plan to scrap its direct bus service to downtown Sacramento and instead give commuters a lift to light rail....

Elk Grove residents were vocal in their opposition to scuttling direct bus service. More than 450 people filed public comments in response to the proposed change – with 98 percent saying that would not consider taking light rail for their commute.

On Wednesday evening, the council heard from nine residents who opposed the change. They cited concerns about crime on trains and the time that taking the train would add to their commutes.

Resident Jonathan Meltzer attended Wednesday’s meeting to weigh in on behalf of his adult daughter, who rides the e-tran bus into Sacramento. “I would not let my adult daughter ride light rail,” he said. “There is a question about security at stations. There have been far too many incidents on light rail where people have been hassled or lost possessions.”