Last night, hundreds of citizens attended the King County Council’s public hearing about Executive Dow Constantine’s proposal to save Metro service. Labor, business, and environmental leaders—along with dozens of regular riders—urged the council to keep our county functioning by preserving critical transit service. So many people showed up to voice their support that we needed an overflow room!
(You can find more photos from the hearing here.)
Most people asked the County to do two things: save Metro by putting a measure on the April ballot and include strong measures to keep transportation costs low for those that are least able to pay. We couldn’t agree more.
Rich Stolz, executive director of One America, testified in support the proposal and the council’s consideration of a low-income fare. Mercer Island mayor Bruce Bassett implored the council take action. “As elected officials from cities across the county, we’re asking you to move this forward; we cannot wait any longer because the legislature is not going to act.”
But a bus rider from Councilmember von Reichbauer’s district said it best: “Growing up and still today, the bus was my freedom. Don’t take my freedom away. Pass this measure, save bus service.”
