May News: Ready, Set, Ride!

Transit advocates stand together ahead of the Sound Transit Board meeting on May 7th.

Dear friends,

It’s been a busy spring so far! Together with the Build the Damn Trains coalition, we’ve been organizing to stop light rail projects from being cut, keep light rail projects moving, and to ensure Sound Transit stays committed to delivering the full vision of what voters approved with Sound Transit 3. Our packed Transit Town Halls across the region brought Sound Transit Board members into conversation with communities that are hungry for more light rail.

Next Thursday, the Sound Transit Board is expected to vote on a new plan for how they’ll move projects forward. We know that no matter what happens next week, our work doesn’t end here. There’s so much more to do, including going back to the state legislature to get them to help Sound Transit deliver light rail faster. We hope you’ll keep showing up with us in the months and years to come to help build the damn trains.

In June, we’re excited to celebrate Ride Transit Month. We’ve got a great slate of activities and events lined up, from Transit BINGO to a Transit Fan Soccer Watch Party, to our annual Ride Transit Night at the Ballpark. Hop on board and help us celebrate transit all month long.

Ride on,

– Transportation Choices Coalition

WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO

Searching for Our Next Operations Manager

Transportation Choices Coalition is hiring an Operations Manager! This is a great opportunity to join our small but mighty team and work behind the scenes to help us deliver more transit to communities across Washington.

We are looking for someone passionate about supporting a mission-driven organization who is also skilled in process development and management.

Please help us spread the word! Share this opportunity anyone you know who might be interested. Applications are due Monday, May 25.

Learn more here.

Hosting Town Halls on the Future of Light Rail

Kirk moderates a panel with Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, and Alex Krieg of Sound Transit.

Last week, we wrapped up a series of Transit Town Halls in Pierce County, Snohomish County, Seattle, South King County, and the Eastside. These events were an opportunity for the public to hear directly from Sound Transit Staff and Board members about the future of Sound Transit 3 projects. Hundreds of people turned out to show their support for getting light rail built and to ask questions.

While Board members acknowledged the tough reality of Sound Transit’s budget gap, they also spoke to their commitment to deliver the full vision of what voters approved. Community members wearing brightly colored shirts showed up to advocate for the projects in their own backyards, but we also saw a lot of regional solidarity. Several folks at our Seattle Town Hall had layered multiple t-shirts on top of one another.

Tukwila Mayor Thomas McLeod and King County Executive Girmay Zahilay speak at the Transit Justice Town Hall organized by the Southend Transit Justice Coalition.

Other groups stepped up to host events as well: the Southend Transit Justice Coalition organized a rally and march and a Transit Justice Town Hall focused on the Graham Street and Boeing Access Road infill stations, and Save Ballard Rail held a march and a community meeting in Ballard.

We expect the Sound Transit Board to vote next Thursday on a plan for delivering Sound Transit 3 projects. Every community deserves light rail, and delays will have real impacts on people’s lives. But whatever decisions are made now, they’re a temporary map, and not the end of the line. Together, our civic leaders at the local, state, and regional levels must work together to streamline projects and unlock more financial capacity so that the entire region gets the light rail projects they were promised. We’ll hold them to that task.

TCC’s Advocacy Manager Holden Ringer moderates our South King County Town Hall with Sound Transit’s Alex Krieg, Tukwila Mayor Thomas McLeod, and King County Councilmember Steffanie Fain.

WHAT’S COMING UP

Celebrate Ride Transit Month This June!

June is Ride Transit Month! Throughout the month, transit agencies, community organizations, and riders across Washington come together to celebrate our public transportation system with fun events and activities. And with the World Cup coming to our state starting in June, tranist will be the best way to navigate the crowds and get to many events. Join the celebration: pledge to take more trips by transit, play Transit Bingo, or grab a friend and attend one of our community events.

LEARN MORE

Test Your Knowledge at Transit Trivia

Join us on Tuesday, June 23rd, for this year’s Ride Transit Month Trivia Night at Stoup Brewing.

Join Us for a Transit Fan Soccer Watch Party

Come cheer on the U.S. men’s national soccer team as they take on Australia on Friday, June 19th, at The Royal Room.

Join Us for Ride Transit Night at the Ballpark

Let’s go Mariners! On Tuesday, June 30th, we’re heading back to T-Mobile Park for Ride Transit Night at the Ballpark.

STAFF PICK

In the Face of Energy Insecurity, Transit Is a Key Tool

Photo of an oil tanker from Wikimedia Commons.

Amid growing geopolitical instability and the risk of global conflict disrupting energy supplies and trade routes, countries are increasingly turning to transportation policy as both an emergency response and a long-term resilience strategy. European countries have adopted fuel rationing and reduced driving incentives, while Asian economies have encouraged increased use of transit and ride-sharing systems, appealed for fuel conservation, implemented driving curbs, expanded remote work, and accelerated domestic investments in electric vehicles, rail, and transit networks. Some governments have also introduced targeted fare subsidies or temporary fare-free transit programs to encourage mode shift away from driving. In the United States, rising gas prices are already contributing to increased transit ridership in several regions.

Across these responses, public transportation has emerged as one of the most practical and equitable tools for navigating global energy uncertainty. When fuel becomes scarce or cost-prohibitive, robust transit networks keep local economies functioning by ensuring communities maintain access to jobs, education, and essential services. As nations confront the overlapping challenges of war, energy insecurity, and climate change, investments in public transportation, walking, and other shared mobility systems are increasingly recognized as a fundamental pillar of economic stability and national resilience.

Nivya Murthi

Policy Analyst

WHAT WE’RE READING

We know what will make Seattle streets safe. We need the will to do it — The Seattle Times

“At the state level, despite being named a top priority, direct safety investment represents less than 5% of the state’s biennial transportation budget, according to the Transportation Choices Coalition.”

Pierce Transit Rolls Out Expansion Plan and Pitches Funding Measure — The Urbanist

“Agency leaders at Pierce Transit this week presented a potential system expansion plan that lays out a road map for a 40% jump in transit service, thanks to a new funding source that voters could be asked to approve this November.”

Seattle Super Saunter shows a 24-mile, freeze-free side of the city — The Seattle Times

“Saturday marked the second annual such walk-across-Seattle event, with more than 1,500 people signing up to join a 24-mile trek through the city, organizer Holden Minor Ringer said.”

New Wheat Line bus route will boost regional transportation east of the Cascades — KREM

“Travelers and commuters between Spokane and Tri-Cities will soon have another option for reaching their destinations thanks to a new regional, intercity bus route.”

How Intercity Transit Redesigned its Network — Seattle Transit Blog

“Near-complete redesigns of a transit network are not very common and it is exciting to see Intercity Transit take on the challenge.”

Everett Transit, Community Transit will again consider merger — The Everett Herald

“The consolidation of the two agencies could lead to more efficient and more frequent bus service within the city of Everett while increasing connections to other parts of Snohomish County, officials say. Detractors of the plan say the city would lose its relatively unique local control of its public transportation network.”

Fare inspectors are back on King County buses, but tickets aren’t — The Seattle Times

“Metro officials said the program is working as intended, and pointed to the vast majority of people who, when checked by officers, had paid a fare in the seven months the program was running last year.”

It’s the most dangerous part of a transit bus trip. These experts have ideas to make it safer. — Smart Cities Dive

“The most dangerous part of a transit bus ride is getting to and from the bus stop, according to research conducted by the University of Tennessee-Knoxville for the Center for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety.”