Tell Legislators to Preserve Bus Service to Downtown

Via Downtown Seattle Association Public Policy Advocacy

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Action Requested:

Contact King County legislators using the link below, and urge them to develop a solution for funding King County Metro and pass a comprehensive state transportation package:

Move King County Now contact link

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King County Metro transit service is at risk. The special session in Olympia has provided another chance to secure a funding package that will preserve transit service, but that window will soon close. We’ve reached a critical period in which we need to impress upon lawmakers how important Metro service is to the Downtown, and regional, economy and the ability for tens of thousands of commuters to get between work and home each day.

Commuters and employers alike stand to be severely impacted if the state legislature does not adopt a transportation package. Faced with a budget shortfall, Metro cuts will amount to a loss of 17 percent of service, affecting eight out of every 10 riders, with more than 70 routes eliminated completely – click on the map to get a visual depiction of the massive scale of the route reduction:

 

74 routes to be eliminated

Reductions in bus service will place an estimated additional 30,000 vehicles on our roadways each day and make getting around King County more difficult, whether you’re in a car, bus or truck.

What’s at Risk Without a Funding Solution:

  • 74 routes eliminated across the county (35% of Metro system)
  • 107 routes will have services reduced or revised (50% of system)
  • Only 33 routes unchanged but would likely become more crowded (15% of system)
  • 600,000 service hours to be reduced
  • 17% cuts to transit will affect 8 out of every 10 transit riders and make it harder to get to work
  • All areas of the county will be impacted (kingcounty.gov/am/future/)
  • Cuts would mean a loss of 14 million rides annually
  • Of the impacted routes, 43% are peak, 56% are all day and 1% are “night owl” routes
  • Metro’s level of service will be the same as in 1997, despite adding 360,000 more King County residents
  • An estimated 30,000 additional vehicles will be put back on the road due to transit service reductions
  • This is not just a King County problem; failure to pass a funding package will put our state at a competitive disadvantage

 

DSA Public Policy Advocacy Since DSA was founded in 1958, we have been a leader in the revitalization and development of Downtown into a thriving, world-class destination, business center and collection of neighborhoods. Successful leadership and partnerships have earned DSA its reputation as an expert on issues facing Downtown. The strength of our advocacy program is driven by the work and support of distinguished volunteers who lend their expertise to the achievement of our mission to champion a healthy, vibrant urban core. Read our strategic plan.

State Senate Transportation Listening Tour

Photo credit DSA

The Washington State Senate is on a listening tour to hear constituents’ thoughts on transit funding. When legislators arrive in Seattle on Monday, October 14th, be there to show support or testify on how transit funding is critical to our city and state’s economic health.

What: State Senate transportation listening tour
When: October 14, 2013, 6pm-9pm
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 1013 8th Avenue, Seattle
Cost: Free
RSVP: Click here so we have an estimate of the number of people attending

Action Requested:

Attend the October 14 listening tour and urge lawmakers to find a transit funding solution. Consider including the following points in your message:

  • Sustainable transit and road funding is critical for both employers and employees
  • King County has 30 percent of the state’s population, 40 percent of its jobs and half of its payroll
  • 17% cuts to transit will affect 7 out of every 10 transit riders and make it harder to get to work
  • But this is not just a King County problem; failure to pass HB 1954 will put our state at a competitive disadvantage

Or, if you cannot attend, please take a moment to share your thoughts on transit funding online, by clicking here.

 

This information was originally drafted by Downtown Seattle Association. Find more information about this news from Downtown Seattle Association here.