Dear friends,
Welcome to 2025 — and the first week of the 2025 Legislative Session! It’s a busy and exciting time, as we get ready to engage with legislators to ensure that transit riders and non-drivers get the investments they need. It’s also a time of great transition as we welcome a new Governor and a new Secretary of Transportation.
Read on to learn about our 2025 Legislative Agenda, read parting thoughts from Former WSDOT Secretary Roger Millar, and see an exciting job opportunity at TCC!
Keep moving,
– Transportation Choices Coalition
WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO
Releasing Our 2025 Legislative Agenda
Last week, we hosted a virtual legislative preview with more than 50 of you participating. We heard from the Chair of the House Transportation Committee, Jake Fey, about what’s in store for transportation this session, and our Policy Director Katy Ricchiuto walked through TCC’s 2025 Legislative Agenda, followed by a Q&A.
Hearing Parting Thoughts from Former WSDOT Secretary Roger Millar
Former WSDOT Secretary Roger Millar with Anna Zivarts of Disability Rights Washington, Vicky Clarke of Cascade Bicycle Club, and Kirk Hovenkotter of Transportation Choices Coalition.
Yesterday was WSDOT secretary Roger Millar’s last day on the job. During his 9-year tenure, he was a champion for transit riders and a nationwide leader on how State Departments of Transportation can prioritize people. We are grateful for his work implementing the Move Ahead Washington transportation package, speaking up for the 30% of Washingtonians who can’t drive, and defining ways for the state to tackle its road safety crisis.
We asked Former Secretary Millar to reflect on his accomplishments at WSDOT, some of the challenges and opportunities he sees for the agency going forward, and what adventures he might take in the coming months!
Read our Q&A with Former Transportation Secretary Roger Millar.
Welcoming Julie Meredith as Washington’s New Transportation Secretary
We’re excited to welcome Julie Meredith as the new Washington Transportation Secretary. A 36-year veteran of WSDOT, Julie is known as a capable and experienced leader who gets big things done. She’s served most recently as WSDOT’s assistant secretary for urban mobility, access, and megaprograms, helping to oversee projects like the State Route 520 bridge across Lake Washington. We look forward to working with Julie to help fix Washington’s most dangerous roads and ensure all Washingtonians can safely walk, bike, and take transit to get where they need to go.
Attending the Memorial for King County Metro Driver Shawn Yim
Last week, several of us attended the memorial hosted by ATU Local 587 to honor slain King County Metro operator Shawn Yim. We were moved by the procession of more than a hundred bus and transit vehicles, including many from counties across Washington and several from Vancouver, BC, and Portland, OR.
At the memorial service at Lumen Field, we heard more about Shawn Yim’s life as a dedicated public servant. Our hearts go out to Shawn’s family and our thoughts are with our friends at Metro and ATU 587. Metro bus operators are heroes who make our lives and region better everyday. Bus operators should never have to fear for their lives while doing their jobs. Here at TCC, we’ll continue to support efforts to make transit safer for operators and riders.
WHAT’S COMING UP
We’re Hiring — Help Us Spread the Word!
We’re hiring! Transportation Choices Coalition seeks an Education and Engagement Manager to support public education and engagement around our mission.
This role implements organizational efforts to connect our work to our audience. The Education and Engagement Manager runs our annual Ride Transit Month programming, plans Transit Talks and other educational events, and develops strategic engagement campaigns to help inform our policy efforts.
Would you or someone you know be a great fit for our team? Apply today!
The full job description is on our website. Applications are due by February 10, 2025.
Reauthorization 101: Learn How Federal Transportation Funding Decisions Get Made
Transportation for America’s new short guide, Reauthorization 101, explains and “de-wonks” the federal transportation reauthorization process. The resource explains how funding decisions get made at the federal level, and how much sway they have on the transportation projects near you.
Join T4A on Wednesday, January 22nd, at 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT, to discuss the Reauthorization 101 guide and ask any questions. Register here.
Get Your Early-Bird Tickets for Smart Growth America’s Equity Summit
Smart Growth America is holding their annual Equity Summit from March 26th – 27th in Washington, DC.
This year’s theme, Building Forward: A Shared Movement for Vibrant Communities, reflects SGA’s commitment to driving progress while adapting to new realities and bringing more people than ever into our movement.
Whether you’re working on the ground in your community, influencing policy at the state or national level, or seeking innovative solutions to complex challenges, this event will provide the tools, connections, and inspiration to keep moving equity forward—even when the path isn’t easy.
GET INVOLVED
Learn About WSDOT’s Revive I-5 Project through an Online Open House
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is inviting the public to learn more about the Revive I-5 project from Yesler to Northgate. To complete this project, one direction of I-5 will be reduced to 2 lanes for up to nine months of the year from 2025-2027.
WSDOT’s new online open house website is designed to help you learn more about the project, what to expect during construction, why this work is necessary and how it will benefit folks traveling through Seattle. Check it out!
Weigh in on Proposed Transit Changes in South King County
As Link light rail extends south, King County Metro’s South Link Connections mobility project is working to improve public transportation for communities in south King County.
Learn more about proposed service changes and take a survey by February 28th.
You can also join Metro at an upcoming online open house:
Saturday, January 25th, 10-11:30 AM Register here.
Monday, February 10th, 6-7:30 PM Register here.
STAFF PICK
Breaking Down the State Legislative Process
This month kicked off Washington State’s 2025 legislative session, where our elected representatives will make big decisions on where state dollars go and what laws to pass. As someone who is relatively new to the state legislative process, the start of this year’s session has felt like drinking from a firehose! Think, first-day-in-a-new-school energy. Luckily, I found this super helpful, “everything you need to know” guide to this year’s session. Where was something like this when I started high school? Anyway, I hope this guide gives you a better understanding of how politics work in our state. Rest assured that TCC will be working tirelessly for more funding and programs to support safe, equitable, and accessible transportation options for all in Washington — and we’ll keep you in the loop with our weekly Dispatch from Olympia!
Katy Ricchiuto
Policy Director
WHAT WE’RE READING
Ferguson taps Washington transportation department insider to lead agency — Washington State Standard
“Meredith is a 36-year veteran with the Washington State Department of Transportation where she now serves as assistant secretary for urban mobility, access and megaprograms. ”
WSDOT Report Proposes Expansion Path for Washington’s Intercity Bus Network — The Urbanist
“Released in late December, the report recommends policymakers consider adding several new routes to meet unmet demand for intercity connections, increase the number of daily round trips on other routes to better connect with other transit options, and expand one existing route to cover new destinations.”
Fare-free transit programs boost youth ridership on public transportation statewide — WSDOT
“New data from the Washington State Department of Transportation suggests that youth transit ridership has thrived in the few years since the Legislature signed the Climate Commitment Act into law.”
$56 Million in Infrastructure Investments Coming to Washington State Through RAISE Grant Program — Sen. Patty Murray
“Awards announced include $25 million for Sound Transit’s Graham Street Light Rail Station, $19.5 million for Skagit Transit Maintenance Facility Renovation, $9.56 million for the Port of Benton Southern Connection Project, and $2 million for the City of Lynden’s Pepin Creek Flood, Agriculture, Salmon, and Safety Transportation Project.”
Spokane is getting a 27-mile biking and mobility network — RANGE Media
“The ’27 by 2027 Urban Mobility Network’ would fortify a few of Spokane’s many existing neighborhood streets to make them comfortable for users of all ages and abilities to walk, ride a bike or use a mobility device.”
Crowd gathers to mourn slain King County bus driver Shawn Yim — Crosscut
“Yim, 59, was memorialized Friday as the sort of bus driver who always waited an extra minute to make sure kids got their ride to school and provided extra help to elderly passengers. ”
King County Metro to resume fare inspection in March 2025 — Metro Matters
“Starting March 31, 2025, Metro fare inspectors will ask riders for proof of fare payment. Friendly, verbal reminders will be given to riders who did not pay. Fare inspection will fully resume starting on May 31, 2025.”
Two Months of 1 Line Maintenance Disruptions Start January 4 — The Urbanist
“Much of this work has been scheduled in the first quarter of the year to coincide with lower ridership and fewer big events, and get it out of the way before major work on I-5 draws riders to 1 Line light rail.”
City planners aim to revamp Spokane’s Division Street once North-South Freeway complete — KXLY
“City planners are discussing how to reinvent the Division Street corridor and prevent businesses and people from leaving it. The city said the new potential plans could include a number of different things such as more sidewalks, bus hubs and bike and transit lanes.”
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