On Monday, The King County Council tabled plans on any further service reductions to Metro Transit. This action canceled the proposed bus cuts and service changes slated for February 2015, as the issue was referred back to the Council’s Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee for possible action after the Council has completed its work on the 2015-2016 County Budget.
“During the council’s review of the Executive Proposed 2015-2016 Budget, we have an opportunity to thoroughly examine all aspects of the transit budget,” said Council Chair Larry Phillips. “Our goal is to continue providing an efficient and productive system that responds to ridership needs, but just as importantly responds to a growing demand for service. Employers, business owners, drivers, bus riders all need a system that works, and one that supports our region and expanding economy.”
Following the defeat of Proposition 1 in April of this year, the County Executive asked the Council to approve legislation that would reduce Metro bus service by 550,000 hours between September 2014 and September 2015.
A majority of the King County Council sought a different approach, and on June 9, passed an ordinance approving the service reduction for September of this year, totaling 161,000 annual service hours on bus routes that were below the 25 percent productivity threshold as part of the County’s adopted Transit Service Guidelines. The remaining cuts were tabled. The County Executive vetoed the ordinance.
In June, the Council also adopted a motion calling on the Executive to consider several strategies to reduce or prevent the additional proposed service reductions.
In July, the council adopted—and the Executive signed—an ordinance laying out a process that would account for Metro’s finances when assessing future cuts.
”We live in one of the fastest growing counties in the nation and the demand for a world class transit and transportation system is higher than ever,” said Concilmember Rod Dembowski. “I am pleased that there is now consensus to cancel further service cuts to allow the County Council to complete the King County Budget and for Seattle voters to act in November on Seattle’s Proposition 1.”
