January and February were a whirlwind at TCC. In the short, 60-day legislative session we worked with legislators, allied organizations, and voters across the state to build support for a transformative transportation package. That hard work paid off! Move Ahead Washington passed the legislature last week and once Governor Inslee signs it, the package will help people across Washington get where we need to go more easily, safely, conveniently, affordably, and accessibly.
That’s not the only thing we’ve been working on, however! Catch up on transportation news from across the state as well as opportunities to join us at upcoming events in the March edition of our monthly newsletter below.
Submit a message of appreciation — before Friday!
This Friday, March 18, is Transit Operator Appreciation Day and we’re planning to say thanks to operators and agencies across Washington. We want your help! Submit your message of appreciation for an operator, route, or transit agency that serves your area before Friday and we’ll deliver it directly.
March 2022 Transit Talk: Legislative Session Debrief
Move Ahead Washington will make historic investments in transit and active transportation. What can we learn from the effort to pass this package, and what should we expect as we move forward?
On Friday, March 25, join us for 2022’s first Transit Talk: A Legislative Session Debrief. Matthew Sutherland, Advocacy Director for Transportation Choices Coalition, and Senator Marko Liias, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, will join this conversation to share insights about Move Ahead Washington and take questions about what’s ahead.
It’s time to end jaywalking laws in Washington
Car companies introduced the term “jaywalking” as part of their effort to shift blame for pedestrian deaths. Today, jaywalking laws are used to disproportionately ticket and search BIPOC community members, while failing to protect people who are walking and rolling from traffic crashes. Download our new one-pager.
Take Action
Tell Sound Transit: No courts & debt collectors for fare non-payment
After a year-long “fare ambassador” pilot focused on education rather than enforcement, Sound Transit is discussing the next iteration of their fare enforcement program. Join us in urging the Sound Transit Board and CEO to wholly divorce fare enforcement from collections and the criminal legal system.
Take a survey with Seattle DOT
SDOT’s Seattle Transportation Plan is intended to create a transportation system that provides everyone with access to safe, efficient, and affordable options to reach places and opportunities. Everyone should benefit from this plan, and to help make that happen, SDOT wants to hear from you.
Tell King County Metro about your transit needs, or join their Mobility Board
By 2025, Sound Transit will open 5 new light rail stations connecting Northgate station to Lynnwood. If you live, work, or travel throughout northwest King County, take the survey or apply to Metro’s Lynnwood Link Connections Mobility Board.
Take a survey about car tab fees
Currently, vehicle registrations in Washington must be paid annually. In 2021, the Washington State Legislature commissioned a workgroup to explore options for payment plans. A survey to inform this work is now open, and survey takers can opt-in to win a $150 VISA gift card.
Public feedback period begins on Everett Link Extension and Operations and Maintenance Facility North
Sound Transit is now accepting comment on the Everett Link Extension project’s potential stations, route and Operations and Maintenance Facility North locations. Community members can learn more and provide feedback through April 3.
Serve as a community representative on a Seattle transportation advisory board or committee
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has several current and future volunteer opportunities for members of the public to get involved and help shape how transportation works in the city.
Island Transit Maximized Survey
The goal of Island Transit Maximized is to improve service to better meet the needs of the community. Help by completing the Island Transit Maximized Survey.
Join Our Team
Want to be part of the statewide effort for more and better transportation choices in Washington? We’re currently hiring for a Communications Manager.
Recent News
High gas prices are raising questions about our transportation systems. Photo via Bloomberg News.
- Highways, transit, bikes and more: What’s in the new $17B WA transportation package (Seattle Times — March 10, 2022)
- Welcome to the Move Ahead Washington Era (The Urbanist — March 13, 2022)
- ‘A major step forward’ for Washington state (The Stand — March 11, 2022)
- Greater equity in PSRC’s project selection – thanks to residents’ input (TCC blog — February 22, 2022)
- Skagit County gets the $14 million it needs to build new Guemes Island Ferry (GoSkagit.com – March 14, 2022)
- Getting There: Spokane’s growth inspires new STA transit project with more bus routes headed east (The Spokesman-Review – March 14, 2022)
- Are WA traffic cameras reducing dangerous driving or making it worse? (Crosscut — January 31, 2022)
- Drivers are getting fewer tickets even as WA traffic goes back to normal. Why? (Seattle Times – February 13, 2022)
- As Gas Prices Soar, Transit Agencies Say ‘Dump the Pump’ (Bloomberg News — March 10, 2022)
- Kingston Express connects Port Townsend to Seattle (Peninsula Daily News — February 21, 2022)
- Short-staffed Community Transit to cut 164 spring bus trips (HeraldNet — February 24, 2022)
- Apartments slated to be built in SeaTac near Angle Lake Station (Kent Reporter — February 24, 2022)
- Picture a Better Way to Protect Bus Lanes (CityLab — January 10, 2022)
- SDOT: We have begun activating new traffic cameras which will automatically ticket drivers who illegally use transit lanes or block crosswalks and intersections. (Seattle DOT blog — February 16, 2022)
- WA transit agencies say federal relief funds were distributed unfairly (Crosscut — February 15, 2022)
- Sen. Cantwell, Murray announce $138M for Washington transit agencies (YakTriNews.com — February 7, 2022)
- President Biden and the U.S. Department of Transportation Announce $409 Million for 70 Transportation Projects in 39 States (Federal Transit Administration — March 14, 2022)
Mobility Justice
WA troopers still more likely to pull over Native American drivers
Crosscut — January 13, 2022
Two years after an investigation showed a disproportionate bias, a state patrol report shows not much has changed.
King County Board of Health repeals decades-old helmet law
Crosscut — February 17, 2022
The vote comes after an analysis found that enforcement disproportionately targeted homeless people and people of color.
Are free buses a tool for social justice? Boston wants to find out.
Washington Post — March 14, 2022
“If we are serious about climate justice and racial equity and mobility, then removing barriers to public transportation … would be a major step forward.”
Should UTA service be free? This bill would make it happen
KSL.com — January 20, 2022
Utah’s top public transit agency already offers some no-fare days during select days when air quality is low.
How Air Pollution Across America Reflects Racist Policy From the 1930s
The New York Times — March 9, 2022
Urban neighborhoods that were redlined by federal officials in the 1930s tended to have higher levels of harmful air pollution eight decades later, a new study has found, adding to a body of evidence that reveals how racist policies in the past have contributed to inequalities across the United States today.
The Other Speed Trap
The Atlantic — February 2, 2022
America’s traffic laws hurt the poor, and don’t really deter anyone. But what if traffic fines scaled with income?
Walking, biking and rolling—and disparities in getting around in Chicago
Crain’s Chicago — March 11, 2022
Our research shows interconnections between the “hard infrastructure” of transportation—that is, pavement and concrete—and critical context that compound to make mobility even more inequitable for the most marginalized.
Invest in Transit Equity, Invest in Transit Workers
National Campaign for Transit Justice – February 2022
There has never been a more important time to invest in public transit — including investing in the skilled, experienced transit operators, maintenance employees, and other transit workers that keep our buses and trains running.
Upcoming Events
Transit Talk: Legislative Session Debrief
March 25, 2022 — 10:30am PT
Matthew Sutherland, Advocacy Director for Transportation Choices Coalition, and Senator Marko Liias, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, will join this conversation to share insights about Move Ahead Washington and take questions about what’s ahead.
Talkin’ about Walkin’
March 30, 2022 — 12:00pm PT
A majority of Americans live in the suburbs. What are communities across the country doing now to make places that were designed for cars prioritize people, and how do federal policies play a role? Join this conversation with Angie Schmitt, Rachel Brown, and Micah Lusignan. Co-hosted by Move Redmond, Transportation Choices Coalition, and Young Professionals in Transportation Seattle.
Taking on Traffic Laws: A How-To Guide for Decriminalizing Mobility
April 20, 2022 — 3:00pm ET (12:00pm PT)
BikeWalkKC and Safe Routes Partnership are hosting a “working webinar” for people and organizations interested in hearing more about the guide, asking questions, and participating in breakout groups to talk through how to take action to address these unjust traffic laws.
Oregon Active Transportation Summit
April 25-27, 2022
The 2022 Summit is a hybrid event: keynotes, plenaries, presentations, and panels will be primarily virtual while networking events, mobile workshops and a range of study tours (including on foot, by bike, transit and even multimodal) will take place in person.
Staff Pick
For this month’s staff pick I’m excited to share Subtext, a zine published by women in TransitCenter’s Women Changing Transportation (WCT) program.
I was lucky to take part in the first WCT cohort in 2019 and met many inspiring, badass women who are leading on progressive and transformative transportation issues across the country. It also made me grateful for the incredible women I work alongside at TCC, in the Puget Sound region, and across Washington state. For women — and especially women of color — working in transportation is complex, and building community with each other is essential. Subtext embraces these complexities and gives voice to some incredible women and their experiences.
I hope you learn or connect with something in Subtext, and I invite you to pass it along — especially to the women who inspire you to make our field/industry/system better.
Deputy Director
Memes in Motion
Shout-out to Yes and Teddi (with babies Evie and Boaz) for wearing their support for irresistible transit in the last few weeks. Get your gear here.
