April News: Buses, Bikes, and Budgets, Oh My!

Seven TCC staff ride the bus together.
Our team on the bus with our newest staff member, Iz Berrang (far right).

Dear friends,

We hope you’ve been enjoying some sunshine and warmer weather! It’s been giving us fresh energy as we advocate for transit and safety investments in the Washington State transportation budget, welcome a new staff member, rally in support of bus rapid transit, and more! It’s also got us excited to celebrate Bike Everywhere Month in May, followed by Ride Transit Month in June. And don’t miss the Downtown Redmond light rail opening celebration on May 10th — we hope to see you there!

Read on for more updates, upcoming events, transportation news, and ways to take action.

Keep moving,

– Transportation Choices Coalition

WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO

Advocating for Transit and Safety in the Transportation Budget

TCC’s Executive Director, Kirk Hovenkotter, and the Executive Director of Cascade Bicycle Club, Lee Lambert, traveled to Olympia to testify on the transportation budget proposals.

In March, we got our first look at Washington legislators’ proposed transportation budgets. There was a lot to love, including $450 million over six years to fund a Megaproject for Safety in the Senate’s spending proposal. But there were also some proposals we strongly oppose, like new taxes on buses and e-bikes.

With a series of action alerts, we mobilized people to send more than 25,000 letters to legislators opposing these new taxes and voicing support for critical investments in transit and safety. And we’ve already seen some wins, including the restoration of funding for transit and Commute Trip Reduction programs and the narrowing of the bus and e-bike taxes.

Legislators are negotiating the final transportation budget right now, and there’s still time to make your voice heard. Send a letter through our latest action alert to oppose bus and bike taxes and ask your legislators to put transit and safety first.

Welcoming a New Staff Member

Earlier this month, we were thrilled to welcome TCC’s new Education and Engagement Manager, Iz Berrang!

Iz brings experience in public health, community engagement, and education, with a focus on creating systems that reflect and respond to community needs. Prior to joining TCC’s staff, she supported the organization as a graduate intern to hold youth focus groups and draft our Youth Perspectives on Transit report.

At TCC, Iz will lead educational events and programming, public engagement strategies, and campaigns like Ride Transit Month that connect people across Washington to sustainable transportation and mobility justice. She holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Washington and a Bachelor’s in Human Studies and Child Development from Tufts University. Outside of work, she loves running ultramarathons, skiing, and exploring Seattle by bike.

Less Fuss, More Bus: Showing Up for a “Lake Forest Park for Bus Rapid Transit” Rally

Last weekend, residents of Lake Forest Park held a rally in support of Sound Transit’s Stride S3 line, which we were happy to attend. Check out coverage of the event from The Urbanist here.

Stride S3 is a planned Bus Rapid Transit line that will connect the Shoreline South light rail station to Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Bothell, and Woodinville, where it will meet up with the Stride S2 line from Lynnwood to Bellevue along I-405. Sound Transit has some key votes on the project coming up and Lake Forest Park residents want to show that there’s strong community support for the project in the face of some local opposition.

If you live in Lake Forest Park, would benefit from Stride S3, or know someone who would, check out the Lake Forest Park for Bus Rapid Transit website and share or sign their petition.

Presenting at the OpenThePaths Conference

TCC’s Executive Director Kirk Hovenkotter gave a presentation on our Megaproject for Safety proposal at the 8th annual OpenThePaths conference.

Hosted by the University of Washington’s Transportation Data Exchange Initiative, OpenThePaths is a gathering of advocates, planners, researchers, and policymakers dedicated to expanding and sustaining pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. This year, they launched OS-CONNECT, the first-ever statewide, standardized accessibility-first sidewalk dataset for Washington State.

WHAT’S COMING UP

Prepare for a Sound Transit Service Disruption

From April 14th until April 23rd, Sound Transit will reduce 1 Line service while replacing cracked rail south of International District/Chinatown Station. Completing this work will remove the 10-mph slow order, which affects Angle Lake/southbound trains now.

During this service disruption, trains will run:

Approximately every 12 minutes between Lynnwood and Westlake and Stadium and Angle Lake stations.
Every 25–30 minutes between Westlake and Stadium stations. All trains will share the northbound platform at these stations.

Riders must transfer at Westlake and Stadium for continued light rail service. After reaching these stations, downtown Seattle passengers are encouraged to use local bus service. Learn more about alternate routes serving 1 Line stations.

May Is Bike Everywhere Month!

Get ready to hop on your bike! May is Bike Everywhere Month and it’s a great time to try riding to work, to the grocery store, or just getting out to enjoy some sun. Our friends at Cascade Bicycle Club are hosting in-person and virtual events throughout April and May. Check out a calendar of events here.

See You in Downtown Redmond for the 2 Line Opening Celebration!

Our partners at Move Redmond are hosting a Redmond 2 Line opening celebration, Trails 2 Transit, on May 10th from 12 – 4 PM along with Sound Transit, Eastrail Partners, Africans on the Eastside, and others. We can’t wait to ride the 2 Line to the new stations in Marymoor Village and Downtown Redmond. We’ll be at the Downtown Redmond station with some fun new swag, so stop by and say hi!

GET INVOLVED

Apply to Join the King County Metro Equity Cabinet

King County Metro is seeking new members for its Mobility Equity Cabinet to help shape transit policies, plans, and programs.

Members of the Cabinet will:

Gain a deep understanding of Metro as an organization, its guiding policies, services, operations and decision making.
Build and strengthen connections in their communities, learn and share about their community’s history, assets, needs and priorities around transit.
Shape Metro initiatives and policy updates by collaborating and advising Metro on key initiatives and policy updates.

Learn more and apply by April 20th!

Get Out the Vote for Safer Streets in Tacoma

On April 22nd, Tacoma residents will have the opportunity to vote on the Tacoma Streets Initiative, which would raise $37 million annually for street repair and maintenance, safety improvements, sidewalks, and accessibility.

The YES on Prop 1 campaign will be waving signs to help get out the vote on:

Monday, April 21st, from 7 – 9 PM at the intersection of N 30th St and McCarver St
Tuesday, April 22nd, from 7 to 9 PM at the intersection of N 21st St and N Pearl St

Please join them! You can RSVP here.

STAFF PICK

A New E-Bike Rebate Program Has Launched!

I’ve thought for years, “maybe someday I’ll get an e-bike.” As a non-driver who is not particularly athletic, having an e-bike could open up my world, giving me greater access to local grocery stores, parks, and amenities. There’s a spectacular park a short bike ride away from where I live — if I could conquer one massive hill. But a quality e-bike is an investment, and I have yet to take the plunge. That’s why I’m excited about Washington’s new e-bike rebate program, which is open for applications through April 23rd. Under this program, 10,000 Washingtonians will be randomly selected to receive either a $300 or $1,200 rebate, depending on household income. Apply here today. Good luck!

Natalie Lubsen
Communications Manager

WHAT WE’RE READING

State DOTs Aren’t Stacking Up On Sustainability and Equity — StreetsBlog USA

“Even the best state departments of Transportation are still scoring a C- minus on sustainability and equity, a new report finds — an especially poor report card given how the Trump administration is pulling support for almost everything besides highways.”

Amtrak’s Next Generation of Trains Are Coming Soon — Travel + Leisure

“Amtrak Airo’s passenger cars will have modern, spacious interiors with panoramic windows. [….] The new trains are also more fuel efficient, producing 90 percent less particulate emissions in diesel operations. The trains operate at speeds of up to 125 mph, resulting in reduced travel time across the board.”

More Americans are Riding Bicycles than Ever Before, Report States — Momentum Mag

“Youth cycling participation (ages 3 to 17) has jumped from 49% to 56%. This surge in young riders not only bodes well for the future of cycling but also highlights the potential for creating a new generation of lifelong cyclists.”

Federal Funding Review Jeopardizes $25 Million for Sound Transit Infill Station — The Urbanist

“A $25 million grant for Sound Transit’s Graham Street infill station, which would add a new 1 Line light rail stop between Othello and Columbia City, was announced weeks before the second Trump Administration came into office, but it could now vanish.”

Sound Transit’s looming money crunch prompts a request in Olympia — The Seattle Times

“Sound Transit, short on money to reach promised destinations in West Seattle, Ballard and Everett, might eventually borrow billions of dollars that need not be fully repaid until the 22nd century.”

New bus loop opens for Federal Way riders — Federal Way Mirror

“The Federal Way Transit Center is now the Federal Way Downtown Station bus loop and has moved a block over to connect better to the future light rail station that will open in 2026.”

Sell your Tesla (or any other car) and take the 30 Car-Free Days Challenge — Seattle Bike Blog

“I was terrified of selling my car because I was worried I was giving up some of my personal freedom, but since watching my car’s new owner drive away I have never regretted it for even a moment.”