Dear friends,
As the days grow darker, it’s important to look for the light. Some bright spots for us here at Transportation Choices Coalition have been the success of Keep Seattle Moving and No on 2117, two campaigns we poured our hearts and souls into this past year. Read on to learn more about these critical wins for transportation, meet our NEW Policy Director, get plugged into what the election means for transportation, and more.
Keep moving,
– Transportation Choices Coalition
WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO
Welcoming Our New Policy Director!
We’re thrilled to welcome Katy Ricchiuto as TCC’s new Policy Director.
Katy will guide TCC’s policy planning and goals to make transportation safer and more accessible across Washington. Katy believes that, as cities of any shape or size evolve, good public transportation policy — from last-mile connections to transit-oriented communities — will serve as a foundation to shape their growth.
Previously, Katy was the Urban Vitality Manager for the U District Partnership, leading major planning, policy, and beautification efforts in Seattle’s University District. Katy has a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Washington Evans School of Public Policy and Governance. She is a member of Seattle’s Bicycle Advisory Board.
You’ll catch Katy rooting for THE Ohio State University Buckeyes, or doing Pacific Northwesterny things, like long bike rides around Puget Sound, swimming, cross-country skiing, hiking, and reading a good sci-fi book.
Katy shares: “I am so excited to join Transportation Choices team as their new Policy Director! This November marks a pivotal time in Washington state for transportation policy and funding. We are moving forward with support for major transportation funding across the state, but with uncertainty at the federal level. I am proud to be a part of such an impactful organization that will continue to fight for safe and accessible transportation for everyone in Washington.”
Celebrating Two Big Wins for Transportation
Last week, we celebrated two important electoral wins for transportation: the defeat of Initiative 2117 and the passage of Seattle Proposition 1! As we grapple with the implications of federal election results, including what they may mean for transportation, we can take some heart from these victories at the state and local levels.
I-2117 would have slashed $5.4 billion from Washington’s transportation budget, cutting funding for transit and paratransit service, fare-free transit for young people, and infrastructure that makes it safer to walk and bike in our communities. But thankfully, Washingtonians fought back and voters gave a decisive “NO” to the deceptive and dangerous Initiative 2117.
In another momentous win, Seattle voters unequivocally passed a $1.55 billion transportation levy to invest in Seattle’s roads, bridges, sidewalks, and transit! Over the next 8 years, this levy will help repave major corridors, making them safer for people walking, biking, and taking transit; it will build and repair sidewalks to make Seattle more accessible; it will connect people safely to our growing light rail network; and it will save lives on some of the most dangerous roads in Seattle.
Huge thanks to all the volunteers and partners who helped Keep Seattle Moving. Please join us at a Volunteer Thank You Party on Monday, November 18 (more details below).
Hosting a Youth Transit Advocacy Workshop
We had so much fun last weekend co-hosting a Youth Transit Advocacy Workshop with the Youth for Equitable Streets (YES) fellows!
This workshop brought together nearly forty young people aged 18-23 to learn about the connections between mobility justice and climate justice and practice skills to help support their community’s access to safe, sustainable, and equitable transportation.
Participants heard from an incredible panel, including Annya Pintak from the Seattle Department of Transportation’s Transportation Equity Team, Erica Bush, an Urban Planner with the Seattle Department of Transportation, Jessica Nguyen with ChangeLab Solutions, and TCC’s Kirk Hovenkotter.
Then, TCC’s Advocacy Director Matthew Sutherland and YES fellow Cammi Pham co-led a training on advocacy skills, and participants practiced crafting and delivering testimony. We left the workshop inspired by the young people who showed up and their passion for transportation justice!
WHAT’S COMING UP
Honor the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
This Sunday, November 17, marks the annual World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, a global event to remember the millions of people who have been killed or seriously injured on roads across the planet; acknowledge the suffering of victims, their families, and their communities; and inspire action to prevent future tragedies.
In Seattle, the MLK Transportation Justice Team held an event last week to draw attention to deaths and injuries in Rainier Valley resulting from collisions with the surface-level light rail, as well as traffic violence on MLK Jr. Way and Rainier Ave S.
Here at TCC, we’re looking at actions we can take statewide to turn the tide on these preventable tragedies. Keep an eye out for a message from our Executive Director Kirk Hovenkotter on Sunday with more details.
Join Us at a Thank You Party for Keep Seattle Moving Volunteers!
Thanks to an incredible community of volunteers and organizations across Seattle, the Seattle Transportation Levy passed with flying colors! More than 80 volunteers showed up to 77 campaign events, knocking on almost 3,000 doors and making more than 75,000 calls. All of this effort helped secure better streets, trails, and transit for Seattle. Now, it’s time to party!
Join us at a Volunteer Thank You Party to celebrate this success and the amazing team behind the Keep Seattle Moving campaign. We’ll have food, drinks, and good vibes.
📅 When: Monday, November 18 | 5:30–7:30 PM
📍 Where: Cascade Bicycle Club, near Magnuson Park
🔗 Please RSVP here
We can’t wait to raise a glass to everything we’ve accomplished together!
Explore How the Election Results Will Impact Transportation
Transportation for America will be hosting a partner call on Wednesday, November 20 at 11 AM PST to discuss election results and T4A’s Transition Memo.
On this call, T4A will discuss how the election will impact transportation at all levels of government. Additionally, they will showcase their transition memo for new and returning governors and state legislators. The transition memo will act as a concise guide for these officials to enact the top three most important legislative actions to improve their communities.
Join the call to discuss election impacts and learn how you can use the transition memo to advance your state-level agenda.
GET INVOLVED
Take Sound Transit’s Passenger Experience Survey
This is your chance to tell Sound Transit how they’re doing. What can they do better?
Take a 15-minute passenger experience survey, and you could win one of fifteen $100 gift cards and four $250 gift cards in a raffle.
Your feedback will help enhance your transit experience. The survey pinpoints areas for improvement — accessibility, availability, cleanliness, safety, maintenance, and passenger support.
Take the survey by December 20.
STAFF PICK
How Public Transit Performs at the Ballot
Wondering how transit does at the ballot? Transit ballot measures succeed at incredible rates! In 2024, 83% of all public transportation ballot measures passed nationwide. The American Public Transportation Association’s Center for Transportation Excellence has a great snapshot tool to take a closer look at all the measures in 2024 and looking back in history. If you check out Washington State, you’ll see some of the work we were involved in this year: Seattle’s Proposition 1 and No on 2117.
Matthew Sutherland
Advocacy Director
WHAT WE’RE READING
Under Trump, Prepare for New US Transportation Priorities — Bloomberg CityLab
“A former US Senate staffer and USDOT executive who now leads the advocacy group Transportation for America, Beth Osborne has had a front-row seat to transportation policymaking under every president since George W. Bush. [….] David Zipper spoke with Osborne about what Trump’s return to the White House means for US roads, transit systems and urban mobility networks.”
The most dangerous roads in America have one thing in common — Vox
“Although only 14 percent of urban road miles nationwide are under state control, two-thirds of all crash deaths in the 101 largest metro areas occur there.”
Seattle Proposition 1 wins support from voters — The Seattle Times
“Transportation, environmental, business and labor groups lined up in support of the levy, saying it was a much-needed continuation of the work done under the previous two transportation levies and would make streets across the city safer for all types of road uses, not just drivers.”
Rick Steves launches video series to introduce Snohomish County towns — The Seattle Times“If you missed some of the recent public transit changes in Snohomish County, Rick Steves is here to explain them — and show off some of the Puget Sound area’s best spots to explore along the way.”
RapidRide G Bus Ridership Starts Strong and Is Trending Upward — The Urbanist
“So far, the ridership data shows the G Line is already providing big gains for riders, and it’s serving as a model for what happens when agencies boost frequency and get buses out of traffic.”
Getting There: Spokane Transit Authority looks to improve services in eastern portions of the county — The Spokesman-Review
“The Spokane Transit Authority is expanding its footprint in Spokane Valley, in more ways than one.”
Hochul Brings Back Congestion Pricing Plan After Months of Suspense — New York Times
“The governor is renewing plans to start the tolling program, but at discounted rates. It is not clear whether the lower tolls could generate the $15 billion needed for mass transit repairs.”
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