October News: Bus Lanes and Campaigns

TCC staff tour Seattle’s underground. Not pictured: the giant spider above us 🕷️

Dear friends,

It’s been an action-packed fall so far! Just this week, we welcomed our new Advocacy Manager, Holden Minor Ringer, who hit the ground running with a trip to Ellensburg for the launch of the Yes on Ellensburg Transit campaign. And that’s on the heels of an office warming party at our new Smith Tower home during the Week Without Driving!

With election season upon us, be sure to check out the two candidate forums we’re co-sponsoring (details below) to learn more about where candidates stand on transportation and climate issues. And join us on October 20th for a special Transit Talk: Delivering on Sound Transit’s Vision with Sound Transit leaders Dow Constantine and Terri Mestas.

Keep moving,

– Transportation Choices Coalition

WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO

Hosting an Office Warming at Smith Tower

TCC recently moved into our fourth home in 33 years — the historic Smith Tower! Last week, we welcomed around 90 partners and friends to tour our new office and mingle on the roof deck on the 22nd floor. We enjoyed bites and drinks provided by Lime, and sunset views over Puget Sound. Thank you so much to everyone who joined. We are excited to make this a hub for the transportation advocacy community in Washington State.

Welcoming Our New Advocacy Manager!

This week, we welcomed Holden Minor Ringer as our new Advocacy Manager!

Holden joins us from Washington Bike Law and was previously Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck’s campaign field director. Holden brings experience in campaign management and organizing people in communities of all sizes.

In his free time, Holden has been organizing Super Saunters across the state. These events bring out hundreds of people to go for long walks in their communities. Holden also gained national renown for walking across the country as a fundraiser for America Walks, which was featured on CNN and the Washington Post.

We are thrilled to have Holden on board, and we’ve already put him to work. On his second day, he went with our team to Ellensburg for the Yes on Ellensburg Transit campaign kickoff. He posted fliers across town, distributed yard signs, and connected with students at Central Washington University. Welcome, Holden!

Helping to Save a Bus Only Lane

Like many of you, we were surprised to learn last week that SDOT was planning to remove a bus only lane in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. But transit advocates know how to mobilize! Following a mix of inside and outside organizing, including a petition from the Transit Riders Union that generated thousands of letters in a matter of hours, SDOT reversed the plan and is working with King County Metro to ensure the bus lane gets put into use.

Check out our collaboration with Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck on a reel celebrating this win for transit riders.

Participating in the Week Without Driving

The Week Without Driving took place from September 29th to October 5th. Hosted annually by Disability Rights Washington and America Walks, it gives people the chance to experience what life is like for nondrivers, reflect on the barriers, and consider solutions that make transportation more accessible for everyone. We asked elected officials to take part and share their reflections. Check them out on our Instagram!

Attending a Ride Along in Pierce County

TCC’s Susan Gleason joined Tacoma On the Go — formerly Downtown on the Go, and a key partner of ours — for a Pierce Transit ride-along with Congresswoman Emily Randall, a proud transit champion. Director Laura Svancarek and her team pulled together a superb program featuring local business owners, regular riders, and partners from Pierce Transit and Via. The energy and thoughtful questions carried into an engaging conversation over coffee at Bluebeard Coffee Roasters on South Tacoma Way.

WHAT’S COMING UP

Join Us for a Transit Talk with Sound Transit Leadership

Sound Transit is navigating a critical phase in its long-range planning. Following announced cost overruns, the agency is reassessing how to deliver the transit system voters approved while facing real financial and logistical constraints.

Join us for a timely conversation about the Enterprise Initiative, Sound Transit’s current effort to evaluate and adjust its plans, and what this means for the future of our regional transit system. We’ll break down the complex decisions ahead in plain language and explore how to keep moving toward a more connected, sustainable, and equitable transportation future.

You’ll hear from Dow Constantine, the CEO of Sound Transit and Terri Mestas, Deputy CEO & Chief Capital Delivery Officer of Sound Transit. The conversation will be moderated by TCC’s Executive Director, Kirk Hovenkotter.

Tomorrow: Attend a Bellevue Transportation & Mobility Candidate Forum

Come see Bellevue City Council Candidates answer questions about the future of the city on topics like transportation, mobility, and equity tomorrow, October 11th at the First Congregational Church in Bellevue.

This panel is being co-hosted by Complete Streets Bellevue, The Urbanist, Eastside for All, Transportation Choices Coalition, Africans on the Eastside, Eastside Urbanism, Futurewise, the Housing Development Consortium, Eastrail Partners, 350 Eastside, and Cascade Bicycle Club.

Attend a Climate Forum with Seattle Mayoral and King County Executive Candidates!

On Thursday, October 16th, join us at the Bitter Lake Community Center for a Climate Forum with Seattle Mayoral and King County Executive Candidates! Doors open at 6 PM, so arrive early to check-in and secure your seat.
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In a conversation moderated by independent climate journalist Syris Valentine, candidates will answer questions pertaining to some of the most important issues that impact our climate including equity of access to parks and public spaces, tree canopy, climate readiness, transportation, and more. ⁠
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The Climate Forum is free to attend, and registration is live! Space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Submit your climate and transportation-related questions for the candidates through the registration form. ⁠
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Can’t make it? This event will also be livestreamed online; register to ensure you receive livestream details. ⁠
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Register here.

The Climate Forum is presented by Seattle Parks Foundation, Cascade Bicycle Club, Birds Connect Seattle, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, and Transportation Choices Coalition.

GET INVOLVED

Get Out the Vote for Yes on Ellensburg Transit

Transit is on the ballot in Ellensburg this November as the city votes to renew the local sales tax that funds fixed-route buses, ADA paratransit, and 24/7 Cabulance services. Our team travelled to Ellensburg this week for the Yes on Ellensburg Transit campaign kickoff event, helping to distribute yard signs and post flyers around town.

Check out the campaign website to donate and sign up to help get out the vote. And help spread the word: tell your friends or colleagues in Ellensburg to Vote YES on Prop. 1!

Sound Transit Youth Conference

The inaugural Sound Transit Youth Conference on October 25th is a free event for young folks ages 15-22 to come learn about the variety of careers they can pursue at Sound Transit, ask questions, and network with transit professionals.

Registration is required and closes on October 19th.
Coffee and lunch will be provided at no additional cost.

Check out the event agenda and register here.

Transportation Week with Seattle 2030 District

From October 27th to 31st, Seattle 2030 District is hosting Transportation Week, a week-long series of events on climate and transportation. Sessions focus on topics like transit-oriented development, first/last mile connections, and commute solutions. TCC’s own Kirk Hovenkotter will be moderating a panel on the future of transportation in our region! Tickets are on sale now. We hope to see you there!

STAFF PICK

Community Voices at the Graham Block Party

One of my favorite moments this season happened just blocks from home: the Graham Station Block Party, beautifully covered by Yuko Kodama in the South Seattle Emerald. Organized by the Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development, with support from the Seattle Department of Transportation and community partners, the event brought together neighbors, artists, small business owners, and transit advocates along Martin Luther King Jr Way S to celebrate community and share ideas about the future Graham Street Light Rail Station.

The Graham Street Station — planned as an infill station on the existing Link 1 Line — is eagerly anticipated by residents and local businesses who have long advocated for better access along this corridor. TCC was among the early advocates working alongside community partners like Puget Sound Sage to champion equitable transit access in Rainier Valley. This block party captured that spirit beautifully — showing how essential it is to keep community voices at the center as we build a connected, just, and thriving city.

Susan Gleason
Associate Director of Development

WHAT WE’RE READING

Spokane Transit Authority releases ‘Jaws’-inspired promotional video for new double decker buses – The Spokesman-Review

Spokane Transit owns seven new double-decker buses, each with a max capacity of 108 riders – nearly 30 more than the current articulated buses.

Intercity Transit to improve more than 100 bus stops for better boarding experience – The Jolt

According to Rob LaFontaine, the transit agency’s planning deputy director, the upgrades are designed to reduce passenger wait times, enhance accessibility and streamline transit operations.

All Aboard! King County adds Saturday sailings for Vashon Water Taxi – Metro Matters

The turning of the fall leaves welcomes a new tradition for the residents of Vashon: Saturday water taxi service.

We can fix Seattle’s chronically late Route 8 bus. Here’s how – Seattle Times

The only way to boost transit ridership and actually get people moving would be a bus lane on Denny.

Fare gates at light rail stations could get a tryout – Seattle Times

Later this year, CEO Dow Constantine will propose a pilot project to place fare gates within “various key stations,” and to consider policies to build gates at all future stations.

Op-Ed: Step Aside Waterfront, Long Neglected North Rainier Deserves Investment, Too – The Urbanist

The waterfront redevelopment project shows that we have the resources in Seattle to invest in beautiful, thriving public spaces. Transit riders in Rainier Valley deserve beautiful and vibrant spaces too.

Why US Cities Pay Too Much for Transit Buses – Bloomberg CityLab

A new paper argues that lack of competition, demand for custom features and “Buy America” rules have driven up costs for transit agencies in the US.