March News: Bring Your Sense of Wonder

The TCC team, from top left: Katy, Holden, Nivya, McKenna, Natalie, Raven, Iz, Susan, and Kirk.

Dear friends,

Before we were transit advocates, we were all just kids learning to explore the world. Our sense of wonder may fade a little over the years, but there are moments that can bring it back, like riding a train over a floating bridge for the very first time!

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, March 28th, at Judkins Park for the opening of the Crosslake Connection. Visit our table to get a limited-edition commemorative pennant and sticker. Let them serve as a reminder of the amazing things we can accomplish together.

Read on for a final update on the 2026 legislative session, check out our 2025 Annual Report, register for an upcoming Transit Town Hall, and more.

See you on the train!

– Transportation Choices Coalition

WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO

Organizing with the Build the Damn Trains Coalition

Voters approved Sound Transit 3 to bring light rail to Everett, Tacoma, Ballard, West Seattle, and the Eastside, but on Wednesday the Sound Transit Board was presented with three approaches to reduce costs amid a multi-billion-dollar budget gap. None of these approaches is good enough.

Ahead of the retreat, we joined with partners in the Build the Damn Trains coalition to lay out seven concrete steps the Board should take before any Sound Transit 3 projects are cut or deferred. We’re also taking the conversation on the road this spring with Transit Town Halls across the region.

Read our recent blog post.

Wrapping Up the 2026 Legislative Session

Last week, we wrapped up our work in the Washington State Legislative Session. Here are few things we won:

We secured $250,000 to plan a statewide Megaproject for Safety.
We helped win a permitting reform to help Sound Transit build light rail faster.
We maintained vital investments in transit and Commute Trip Reduction programs across the state.

And a few losses:

A bill to extend 75-year bonding authority to Sound Transit did not pass.
We failed to secure future funding for Washington’s Intercity Bus Network.

Read our full blog post for more reflections on our 2026 legislative priorities and what’s ahead for our legislative work next year.

Releasing Our 2025 Annual Report

We recently published our 2025 Annual Report, which reflects on another banner year for transit advocacy in Washington State. We stood up for transit riders in (another) tough legislative session, helped win renewed funding for transit in Ellensburg, launched the Build the Damn Trains campaign, and celebrated the opening of light rail to Downtown Redmond and Federal Way. And we did it all with you: the donors, supporters, sponsors, members, and advocates who are helping to advance safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation across Washington.

Check out our 2025 Annual Report here.

WHAT’S COMING UP

Register for an Upcoming Transit Town Hall

Together with the Build the Damn Trains coalition, we’ve been organizing a series of Transit Town Halls featuring Sound Transit staff and board members. This will be an opportunity to learn more about Sound Transit’s Enterprise Initiative and ask questions about cost-saving approaches that could impact Sound Transit 3 projects.

March 30th: The Future of Light Rail on the Eastside

With King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci and Redmond Mayor Angela Birney. Moderated by Kelli Refer of Move Redmond. Register here.

April 14th: The Future of Light Rail in Snohomish County

With Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers and Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin. Moderated by Brock Howell of Snotrac. Register here.

April 27th: The Future of Light Rail in Pierce County

With Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello and Tacoma City Councilmember Kristina Walker. Moderated by Laura Svancarek of Tacoma on the Go. Register here.

Meet Us at Judkins Park for the Opening of the Crosslake Connection

The Crosslake Connection is almost here! On Saturday, March 28th, you’ll be able to ride light rail across the I-90 floating bridge connecting Seattle and the Eastside.

For TCC, this is a proud moment. This opening will mark the completion of Sound Transit 2, which funded the extension of light rail north to Lynnwood, South to Federal Way, and east to Bellevue and Redmond. In 2008, we led the successful ballot measure campaign for Sound Transit 2 across three counties — all before a single train had started running. We’re thrilled to see the vision of the Mass Transit Now campaign become a reality.

We’ll be tabling at the new Judkins Park Station. Stop by early to snag one of our limited-edition “I rode day 1!” pennants and stickers while supplies last.

Register for a Webinar on Winning More Transit at the Ballot!

TCC Executive Director Kirk Hovenkotter wil be featured in a webinar put on by the American Public Transportation Association’s Center for Transportation Excellence called “Route to Transit Ballot Success: Paths to the Ballot.”

When: Thursday, March 25th, 2026 at 11 AM PST / 2 PM EST

Location: Zoom

This session will explore the different pathways transit measures can take to reach the ballot—and what each approach means for timing, cost, risk, and political strategy. Experts in the field will walk through the practical realities of getting transit initiatives on the ballot—from signature gathering and referrals to coalition-building and campaign planning. The session will conclude with a live Q&A, giving attendees the chance to ask questions and learn directly from experts.

Learn more and register here.

GET INVOLVED

Support Spokane in the Strongest Town Contest

Our friends at Spokane Reimagined entered Spokane, Washington into the Strongest Town Contest, which is held by the national urbanist nonprofit Strong Towns.

Spokane was selected as one of sixteen towns in a March Madness-style competition that kicked off this month — and they made it to the Elite Eight! Voting for the Elite Eight just concluded this morning, but if they make it to the Final Four, you’ll be able to cast another vote for them between March 23-27.

Check out the Strongest Town Contest, and support Spokane if they make it to the next round!

Students and Teachers: Organize Your School to Play Transit Bingo

After wrapping up their annual Carbon Commute Count, the youth-led organization Sustainability Ambassadors is organizing a Transit Bingo competition for middle and high school students from March 1st through April 22nd. Students can compete with their school to win prizes, or play solo to earn volunteer hours.

Learn more here.

Take a Free Course on Active Transportation Planning and Design

The Active Transportation Resource Center is offering a free online course on Active Transportation Planning and Design. This self-paced course is intended to introduce active transportation planning and design concepts to planners, engineers, public health practitioners, community-based organizations, and other champions with no or limited experience with the topic.

Learn more here.

STAFF PICK

Bringing Better Bus Service to Pierce County

Living in South Tacoma, I chose my home because it’s close to a bus stop. As someone who doesn’t like driving — and with car accidents happening in our area almost every week — having safe, reliable public transportation is incredibly important to me. It gives me peace of mind when bringing my child to daycare and going about our daily routine.

I’m excited about a proposed transit ballot measure for Pierce Transit because it will make life easier not just for my family, but for our entire community. Every day, I see neighbors waiting at the bus stop rain or shine — many who can’t afford a car or are unable to drive. Sometimes we have to wait a long time for the bus to come. This measure would help make sure everyone in Tacoma has dependable transportation options

Raven Cruz
Operations Manager

WHAT WE’RE READING

Think You Are the King of the Bus? This New Game Will Humble You — The Stranger

“I was excited to play. And then I lost. Twice.”

South King Bus Network Revamp To Boost Weekend Service by 72% — The Urbanist

“The service restructure is a major element of an agency-wide shift toward an all-day service network, which includes a focus on nights and weekends, helping workers with non-traditional schedules and riders who rely on Metro for much more than getting to work.”

Seattle’s World Cup duties draw $8M in federal transportation money — Seattle Times

“The money — part of a $100 million Federal Transit Administration expenditure — will help expand transit service to meet the increased demand.”

Lime carried record 57,000 trips the day of the Seahawks parade, on par with daily traffic over the Aurora Bridge — Seattle Bike Blog

“The shared bikes and scooters are also complimentary to our transit services, often helping people access transit stops that would require too long of a walk otherwise.”

Sound Transit Breaks Ground on Stride S3 Bothell-to-Shoreline Bus Line — The Urbanist

“Transit times from Bothell to Shoreline are expected to drop significantly. Today, the trip can take more than an hour during times of peak morning congestion, but that should be cut to less than 40 minutes after the ribbon is cut.”