Future of Metro Transit

Make your voice heard on transportation issue.

King County Executive Dow Constantine has asked the King County Council to make important decisions about the future of Metro Transit: approve a two-year, $20 congestion reduction charge to help maintain Metro service near current levels for two years, or begin the process of reducing the transit system by 17 percent.

The poor economy has hit Metro hard, causing a drop in Metro’s funding from sales tax. Metro has cut costs, raised fares four times, dug deeply into reserves, found new operating efficiencies, canceled the purchase of replacement buses, and negotiated cost-saving contracts with its employee unions. These actions have generated nearly $400 million to narrow Metro’s budget gap for 2008-2011 and about $143 million annually for the years ahead—but Metro still faces an ongoing shortfall of $60 million per year.

The two-year congestion reduction charge would be $20 a year on vehicles licensed in King County. The proceeds would be used to preserve transit service while King County works with regional leaders, legislators and the Governor on a long-term funding solution for transportation needs.

In case the congestion charge is not approved, the Executive also asked the Council to authorize a reduction of about 100,000 annual bus service hours in February 2012. This would be the first of a series of reductions totaling 600,000 service hours that the Executive will ask the Council to authorize for the next two years.

 Overall, a reduction of this size would affect 80 percent of Metro passengers—meaning 4 out of 5 bus riders would have to walk further, wait longer, make an extra transfer, stand in the aisle, or even see fully loaded buses pass them by.

To learn more and provide feedback:

1. Visit www.kingcounty.gov/metro/future

2. Attend a Council hearing:

• July 6 at 6:00 p.m.
  Kirkland City Council Chambers
  123 Fifth Avenue
  Kirkland, WA 98033
• July 12 at 6:00 p.m.
  King County Council Chambers
  516 Third Avenue, 10th Floor
  Seattle, WA 98104
• July 21 at 6:00 p.m.
  Burien City Council Chambers
  400 S.W. 152nd Street
  Burien, WA 98166