Category: Events

Tonight there will be a special meeting of the King County Council about a proposal to prevent cuts to Metro bus service. Under this proposal, King County would create a Transportation Benefit District and levy a $60 annual vehicle license (car-tab) fee as well as a 0.1% sales tax. 60% of the revenue would pay for Metro bus service while the other 40% would be distributed to cities for road maintenance. A separate proposal calls for a 25-cent increase in fares and the creation of a new low-income fare.

The hearing will be held in the Ruth Fisher Board Room of Union Station, 401 S Jackson St. Sign-in begins at 5:30 PM and the hearing begins at 6 PM.

Metro is facing a crisis. Unless the Legislature acts to extend or replace expiring taxing authority, Metro will be forced to cut service next year. The Legislature considered but failed to pass a bill this year, but Governor Inslee has promised to call a special session in November if lawmakers can agree on a transportation funding package.

Metro faces a $75 million annual shortfall next year, and without a funding solution, will have to begin major service cuts in fall 2014. Metro is planning reductions of up to 600,000 annual hours of bus service – up to 17 percent of Metro’s service countywide – that would begin in September 2014. Public outreach about proposed reductions will begin this fall.  » Learn more about Metro’s funding and what’s at risk

An additional 45,000 annual service hours will have to be cut from bus service in the Alaskan Way Viaduct corridor. State funding for enhanced bus service to reduce the impacts of the viaduct replacement project runs out next June, even though work on the new tunnel and waterfront improvements will continue through 2019.

The Washington State Department of Transportation is hosting a “listening session” for state lawmakers on Monday. Those who rely on Metro are encouraged to attend and share their comments.

Monday, Oct. 14, 6-9 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church, 1013 8th Avenue