October News: Two Weeks to Make Transit History

Volunteers pose before a canvassing shift with the Keep Pierce Moving campaign.

Dear friends,

Election Day is just two weeks from today, and we are hard at work supporting the Hop on Board Seattle and Keep Pierce Moving campaigns. If they succeed, they’ll bring significantly more bus service to Seattle and Pierce County, transforming what it’s like to get around for thousands of transit riders.

But their success is far from guaranteed. Back in 2012, a measure to increase bus service in Pierce County lost by just 700 votes. Every door knocked and every phone call made between now and Election Day matters. Please join us in helping to get out the vote: sign up now for an upcoming canvassing or phone-banking shift in Seattle or Pierce County.

See you in the field!

– Transportation Choices Coalition

WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO

Holding a Walk & Talk in Snohomish County

People cross an intersection along SR 99 during our Snohomish County Walk & Talk.

On October 15, TCC and the Snohomish County Transportation Coalition (SNOTRAC) hosted a Walk & Talk along State Route 99 in Snohomish County. Due to decades of undersinvestment and rapid development, SR 99 is one of the most dangerous corridors in Washington. It has also rapidly evolved into a major regional transit spine.

TCC and Senator Marko Liias have championed a Megaproject for Safety, successfully securing $100 million in the 2027-2029 state transportation budget for dangerous state-owned highways such as this one. Our Walk & Talk brought together 30 participants, including state and local elected leaders, regional planners, and community members to experiences what it’s like to access SR 99’s bus stops, sidewalks, and crossings.

Hosting Tuxes & Trains 2026: History Starts Here

The TCC staff pose for a photo at Tuxes & Trains. Photo by Danny Ngan.

On Friday, Oct. 9, more than 350 people joined us at MOHAI for Tuxes & Trains 2026: History Starts Here. Together with the transit riders, advocates, elected officials, and partners who make our work possible, we celebrated the transit milestones we’ve achieved together and looked ahead at the history we’re still making. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this a successful fundraiser for TCC!

Check out highlights and photos from the event.

WHAT’S COMING UP

Get Out the Vote in Seattle and Pierce County!

Want to make a difference this election? Now’s the time to jump into action! The Hop on Board Seattle and Keep Pierce Moving campaigns need your help. Join the fight for more transit at an upcoming canvass or phonebanking event!

Hop on Board Seattle

This Week
Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 5 PM: Knock Doors
Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 5 PM: Knock Doors
Sunday, Oct. 25, at 3 PM: Knock Doors

Next Week
Monday, Oct. 26 at 5 PM: Knock Doors
Thursday, Oct. 29, at 4 PM: Flyer
Friday, Oct. 30, at 3 PM: Phone Bank
Sunday, Nov. 1 at 3 PM: Phone Bank

Final Days
Monday, Nov. 2 at 5 PM: Phone Bank
Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 5:30 PM: Election Night Watch Party

Learn more and register for a shift!

Keep Pierce Moving

This Week
Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 5 PM: Phone Bank
Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 3 PM: Kock Doors
Thursday, Oct. 22, at 1 PM: Knock Doors
Friday, Oct. 23, at 2 PM: Knock Doors
Saturday, Oct. 24, at 10 AM: Knock Doors
Sunday, Oct. 25, at 10 AM: Knock Doors

Next Week
Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 5 PM: Phone Bank
Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 3 PM: Knock Doors
Thursday, Oct. 29, at 3 PM: Knock Doors
Friday, Oct 30, at 2 PM: Knock Doors
Saturday, Oct 31 at 10 AM: Knock Doors
Sunday, Nov 1, at 10 AM: Knock Doors

Final Days
Monday, Nov. 2, at 5 PM: Phone Bank

Learn more and register for a shift!

Show Up for Expanded Transit in Everett

TCC’s Kirk Hovenkotter attends a Community Transit meeting with Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Community Transit CEO Ric Ilgenfritz, and other advocates.

Everett Transit and Community Transit are considering a proposed consolidation that would bring Everett into Community Transit’s service area, with plans for 50% more bus service in Everett by 2031, more frequent service, and the introduction of Zip microtransit in Everett. This is an opportunity to build a more connected transit network, with easier transfers, better access to jobs and everyday destinations, and stronger connections between Everett, the rest of Snohomish County, and regional Link service.

Now is the time to weigh in. The proposal is heading to public hearings before both agencies take final action:

Oct. 28: Everett City Council public hearing on annexation
Oct. 29: Community Transit Board public hearing
Nov. 4: Everett City Council action on annexation
Nov. 5: Community Transit Board action on annexation

There are several ways to participate: attend a public hearing, submit an online comment, email, call, or send comments by mail. Comments received by Oct. 28 will be shared with both the Everett City Council and Community Transit Board.

We’ll be at the public hearings on Oct. 28 and Oct. 29! Join us to speak directly to decision-makers about the future of transit in Everett and Snohomish County.

Join Us for a Book Talk at Town Hall Seattle

Join Transportation Choices Coalition for an evening with the authors of Transportation and the Shape of Cities: Christof Spieler, Mandi Chapa, and David Copeland Loredo.

Date: Friday, November 20
Time: 7:00 PM (doors open at 6:30 PM)
Location: Town Hall Seattle, Wyncote NW Forum
Address: 1119 8th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

How much space does a bus need? What makes a bike network work? How do trains, cars, sidewalks, and transit fit together—and how do they shape the cities around them? In their new book, Spieler, Chapa, and Loredo explore five major modes of urban transportation and the ways they shape our streets, neighborhoods, and everyday lives.

Join us for a presentation from the authors, followed by a moderated conversation and audience Q&A. Come hear new ideas about transportation and urban design from three experts who work across planning, design, education, and advocacy.

Save the Date for a TCC Lobby Day on Feb. 1!

We’re excited to host a Lobby Day in Olympia on Monday, February 1! Our Lobby Day will focus on building support for funding for transit and active transportation in the Washington State Legislative Session. It’s a great way for you, YES YOU! to share with your elected representatives why you care about more funding and better access to transit. Interested in learning more? Sign up here to stay informed about our 2027 Lobby Day. Registration will open in late 2026.

STAFF PICK

The Fastest Trains in the World

I recently made my first trip to Japan. There are so many things people told me I would love. The delicious food! The sparkling neon lights of Tokyo! Kyoto’s historic shrines! But I knew what would truly stir my transit nerd heart. Japan’s famous bullet trains, the Shinkansen! If you think about it, most people outside of Asia don’t get to experience what it’s like to safely travel over land at nearly 200 miles per hour. The closest I’ve gotten is on a roller coaster which, while thrilling, is not how I imagine getting from point A to B without messing up my hair.

Standing on a platform while a bullet train flew past me, and later watching the Japanese countryside pass me by while riding such a train, was truly one of the coolest things I’ve ever experienced. It made me think, how did Japan build such incredible infrastructure? What if, instead of building 10-lane highways to move cars, we built a network of trains? What can we learn from Japan and their trains that changed the world?

Katy Ricchiuto

Policy Director

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

Microsoft’s Support Helped Make Integrated, Regional Public Transit a Reality

Microsoft invests in its home state because it believes thriving businesses and thriving communities strengthen one another. Washington’s — and therefore Microsoft’s — ability to thrive depends on whether the state can build and sustain a vibrant economy that lifts everybody. Central to that is connected transportation that keeps opportunity reachable.

That commitment has shaped Microsoft’s support for regional light rail for more than two decades. In 2002, the company donated 10 acres in Redmond for a future light rail station. It has since worked alongside public and private partners to enable the launch of Sound Transit’s Crosslake Connection — the world’s first light rail passenger service across a floating bridge — in early 2026. Today, about 160,000 riders travel seamlessly across Lake Washington each day, linking Seattle and communities to the north and south with Eastside destinations through one integrated rail system.

Few people appreciate that transformation more than Microsoft employee Eugene Kim.

“When I started working at Microsoft 11 years ago, I loved my job but hated my commute,” Kim said. “I live in Seattle and work in Redmond, and I confronted the regular stress of waiting in the rain for a shuttle or a bus, and getting stuck in bridge traffic. My anticipation of light rail across the lake has been building for more than a decade.”

Kim and his wife chose their home because it was close to Northgate, confident that one day he would be able to walk or bike to a light rail station for an easy commute.

“It is a massive stress reduction to have this light rail line running now,” he said. “The amount of flexibility it has created has been awesome. I don’t even have to think about how to get places anymore.”

Kim recognizes that, while taking transit is a choice for him, many people depend on it every day. He has championed expansion of the regional system not only because it improves his own commute, but because it gives countless others an affordable way to reach work.

Katy Ricchiuto

Policy Director

WHAT WE’RE READING

Pinehurst light rail station opens in North Seattle — The Seattle Times

“Pinehurst Station was forecast to attract only 1,100 daily boardings, but if the area grows more dense and light rail extends farther someday, the agency hopes for 2,600 to 4,200 boardings, comparable to the Mountlake Terrace, Beacon Hill or Othello stations.”

‘Keep Pierce Moving’ Campaign Touts Major Bus Service Expansion Plan — The Urbanist

“Bus routes to every corner of the Pierce Transit service area will get more frequent, with many routes running hours later into the evening than they currently do.

Vision Zero Needs Transit More Than Ever — Vision Zero Network

“Washington State’s Target Zero Plan identifies expanding transit and reducing the need to drive as safety strategies. It highlights more frequent transit, safer access to stops, and land-use policies that put daily destinations within walking and biking distance.”

Tacoma Pushes to Reimagine Crash-Prone Portland Avenue — The Urbanist

“If voters pass Pierce Transit’s measure, Portland Avenue’s two buses would get more frequent runtime boosts. The Route 41 would also receive improved connections to rail.”