[Transit] Draft LD Resolution in support of a measure to expand transit service in King County

[Wes Mills]

I like this quite a lot, thank you for doing it. :) The 46th’s meeting is on Tuesday so I will work to get it on our next meeting calendar.

If it’s not too late for suggestions, would a mention of how we’ve expanded transit before—like when we had the STBD at full effectiveness—that people have ridden because people want choices and to support transit be useful?  Something in between the Commute Seattle reference and losing major gains reference.  Like:

Whereas, investments in transit service have historically paid substantial dividends, such as Puget Sound leading the nation <https://mynorthwest.com/1283506/sound-transit-touts-2018-ridership-growth/> with increases in bus and train ridership in 2018 after our substantial additions to service, and added resiliency and efficiency to our region’s transportation system during times of major construction projects.

Possible other links, if we don’t want to use MyNorthwest (I tried to find a news article instead of a press release or an analysis that focused on transit downward trends elsewhere):

 • Source graph: https://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2018/05/18/u-s-transit-systems-are-shedding-riders-are-they-under-threat/
 • Transit growth flattening, but still high: https://www.theurbanist.org/2019/12/19/transit-ridership-is-flattening-but-we-can-fix-that/
 • Ridership growth: https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/press-release/21069558/sound-transit-sound-transit-light-rail-ridership-grew-61-percent-and-sounder-45-percent-in-2018

If this is too big of an addition to make at this point—I apologize for missing the email earlier this week—or if it doesn’t fit a resolution—I’ve never written one, lol—then I’m grand with what you’ve already done.  My thinking is to add a specific “positive”, “we’ve done this before, we know how to do it, we can do it again” kind of point.

Wes

On Sun, Apr 16, 2023, at 09:20, Sarah Reyneveld wrote:
> *Ok, I made a few updates to this. Let me know if any of you have any final edits or would like to sign on. It is on the agenda for Wednesday's 36th District Democrats meeting. Dave, I believe you are a PCO so happy to add your name. Thanks!*
> 
> **
> 
> *Resolution in support of a measure to restore and expand transit service in King County*
> 
> **
> 
> *WHEREAS *the effects of global climate change are already being _felt here in Washington_ <https://www.pugetsoundinstitute.org/2020/02/new-report-describes-anticipated-climate-change-effects-in-washington-state/> with natural catastrophes like this year’s heat dome, rising sea levels, unprecedented droughts, and rampant wildfires,
> 
>  
> 
> *WHEREAS* transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions of any sector in Washington, and transitioning to low emissions public transportation will be a crucial part of our survival as a species,
> 
>  
> 
> *WHEREAS* King County Metro Transit service has languished since the pandemic, ridership as been cut in half, and transit riders have experienced canceled routes, delays in service, and a growing frustration that they are not a priority, 
> 
> 
> *WHEREAS* challenges recruiting and retaining _King County Metro bus operators_ <https://www.realchangenews.org/news/2023/03/08/king-county-metro-service-struggles-amid-bus-driver-shortage> and a general shortage of bus operators has led to canceled routes and delays in service, 
> 
>  
> 
> *WHEREAS* lack of access to reliable, frequent, fast, and convenient transit adversely impacts every resident of our region, but disproportionately impacts those who depend on transit including youth, elderly, those with fixed incomes, Black, Indigenous and communities of color, and people with disabilities; 
> 
> 
> *WHEREAS *we are losing major gains getting people out of cars and into environmentally sustainable and space-friendly transit.  
> 
> 
> *WHEREAS* the most recent _Commute Seattle Survey_ <https://www.commuteseattle.com/2022survey/> shows that to restore and increase ridership King County should invest in transit service to ensure it is frequent, fast, reliable, safe, and convenient. 
> 
> 
> THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 36h District Democrats urges members of the King County Council to bring a revenue package to the people of King County to fund a Transportation Benefit District to restore and expand transit service in King County. The proposed revenue package should rely on a combination of sources and minimize to the extent possible regressive revenue. The revenue will be dedicated to:
> 
> 
>  • Restoring and expand Metro Transit service to increase frequency, speed, reliability, accessibility, and safety; 
>  • Providing bonuses, increased pay, flexibility and appropriate incentives to help to recruit and retain bus operations; 
>  • Capital improvements to make buses more efficient, reliable, and faster such as permanent, full time bus lanes, transit priority upgrades, and business access and transit lanes;
>  • Expanding free and subsidized transit to those who are cost burdened.
> 
> *BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED* that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the King County Council and Executive. 
> 
> 
> Submitted by Sarah Reyneveld, 36th District Democrats PCO and Transit Riders Union member (Additional names)
> 
> 
> On Wed, Apr 12, 2023 at 12:48 PM Sarah Reyneveld <sarahreyneveld at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hello, I am following-up on the great idea to introduce a resolution in support of a measure to expand Metro Transit service in King County to build momentum and support. I am hoping to introduce a version of this resolution at the April meeting of the 36th District Democrats. Can you please provide me with any feedback? Dave, Wes, or others connected with the LDs, are you interested in signing on and/or helping to present? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Sarah
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ___________
>> 
>> *Resolution in support of a measure to restore and expand transit service in King County*
>> 
>> **
>> 
>> *WHEREAS *the effects of global climate change are already being _felt here in Washington_ <https://www.pugetsoundinstitute.org/2020/02/new-report-describes-anticipated-climate-change-effects-in-washington-state/> with natural catastrophes like this year’s heat dome, rising sea levels, unprecedented droughts, and rampant wildfires,
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> *WHEREAS* transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions of any sector in Washington, and transitioning to low emissions public transportation will be a crucial part of our survival as a species,
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> *WHEREAS* King County Metro Transit service has languished since the pandemic, ridership as been cut in half, and transit riders have experienced canceled routes, delays in service, and a growing frustration that they are not a priority, 
>> 
>> 
>> *WHEREAS* challenges recruiting and retaining _King County Metro bus operators_ <https://www.realchangenews.org/news/2023/03/08/king-county-metro-service-struggles-amid-bus-driver-shortage> and a general shortage of bus drivers has led to canceled routes and delays in service, 
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> *WHEREAS* lack of access to reliable, frequent, fast, and convenient transit adversely impacts every resident of our region, but disproportionately impacts those who depend on transit including youth, elderly, those with fixed incomes, communities of color, and people with disabilities; 
>> 
>> 
>> *WHEREAS *we are losing major gains getting people out of cars and into environmentally sustainable and space-friendly transit.  
>> 
>> 
>> *WHEREAS* the most recent _Commute Seattle Survey_ <https://www.commuteseattle.com/2022survey/> shows that to restore and increase ridership King County should invest in transit service to ensure it is frequent, fast, reliable, safe, and convenient. 
>> 
>> 
>> THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 36h District Democrats urges members of the King County Council to bring a revenue package to the people of King County to fund a Transportation Benefit District to restore and expand transit service in King County. Specifically, the funding package should do the following:
>> 
>> 
>>  • Restore and expand Metro Transit service to increase frequency, speed, reliability, accessibility, convenience, and safety; 
>>  • Provide bonuses, increased pay, flexibility and appropriate incentives to help to recruit and retain bus operations; 
>>  • Expand free and subsidized transit to those who are cost burdened.
>> 
>> *BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED* that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the King County Council and Executive. 
>> 
>> 
>> Submitted by Sarah Reyneveld, 36th District Democrats PCO and Transit Riders Union member (PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME…..) 
>> 
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