Seattle voters deliver overwhelming support for transit measure renewal
(Seattle Mayor’s Office news release)
SEATTLE – Mayor Katie Wilson and City of Seattle leadership are grateful to Seattle voters for once again showing their strong support for transit by renewing the Seattle Transit Measure. Early results demonstrate Seattleites’ continued commitment to a transportation system that is affordable, reliable, and connects people to opportunity throughout the city. With the measure currently passing with more than 72% approval, according to King County Elections, Seattle is poised to deliver the largest expansion of transit service in city history, making it easier than ever for residents to get where they need to go.
The 0.3% sales tax will provide about $138 million annually over 10 years to fund transportation projects and programs. The majority of transit measure funding will pay for extra bus trips, paying for about 275,000 bus trips a year (95,000 more than the current Seattle Transit Measure passed in 2020). The measure will also double the number of free ORCA cards given to qualifying people, pay for construction projects to reduce transit delays, and pay for City of Seattle staff positions to support and speed up future Sound Transit projects.
Investments in more frequent and reliable transit service
Bus service investments will be focused on the people and neighborhoods which depend on transit most. This includes east-west transit service, connections to light rail stations, and neighborhoods planned for housing and employment growth.
The funding will be used to create frequent transit service throughout the entire day including nights, weekends, and middays. Data shows that ridership during these off-peak times has grown faster compared to traditional peak commute times in recent years. Frequent all-day transit service makes living without a car a more realistic option for more Seattle residents.
The funding is also used to pay for targeted construction projects to reduce transit delays at pinch points and build other improvements around bus stops.
Expanding affordable access to transit
The new measure will also more than double the number of free ORCA cards given to people who need them most. This will add 12,000 more free ORCA cards for people who are Housing Choice Voucher participants, adding to the 10,000 free ORCA cards currently given to Seattle Promise Scholars, low-income Seattle Preschool families, and Seattle Housing Authority residents.
Free transit passes make it more affordable for people to reach jobs, school, services, and other daily needs. This reduces transportation costs and makes it more affordable to live in Seattle without owning a car.
Summary of all Transit Investments
- 275,000 bus trips each year (95,000 more trips than today).
Better bus service at all times of day, including more midday, nighttime, and weekend trips. - 22,000 ORCA cards for low-income people, students, older adults, and families with young children (12,000 more than today).
Seattle Streetcar operations, providing access to local destinations, jobs, schools, and the regional light rail network. - Construction projects to fix pinch-points where buses get delayed, make bus stops more accessible and comfortable, and improve transit reliability.
- City of Seattle staffing for positions that support transit and mobility, including the team of staff who oversee permitting and work to speed up delivery of future Sound Transit light rail stations.
What people are saying:
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson: “With this vote, Seattle voters are once again generously investing in building a transit system that is convenient to use, affordable to access, and that easily connects them to opportunity and prosperity. Seattle is already a great transit city, and this measure will deliver the largest expansion of transit service in our city’s history, double the low-income transit passes available to Seattleites, and provide resources for faster and more reliable service. Together, these investments make transit, our most affordable and sustainable transportation option, an even more irresistible choice. I’m grateful to voters for their support and confidence in Seattle’s bright transit future.”
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay: “Seattle and King County residents deserve safe, affordable, and world-class transit. Renewing the Seattle Transit Measure reflects voters’ commitment to stronger, more connected communities by adding thousands of hours of Metro service, expanding early morning and late-night service, and providing free transit passes to more students, working families, and low-income residents. This historic investment will help Metro reach more communities and ensure more people have a sustainable, affordable, reliable way to get where they need to go.”
Angela Brady, Acting Director, SDOT: “Seattle voters said yes to better transit, and we’re grateful to everyone who made it happen. Thanks to the Seattle Transit Measure, our buses will run more often, from early morning to late at night and on the weekends. Not everyone works 9 to 5, and our transit system shouldn’t either. Frequent, all-hours service is one of the best ways we have to make Seattle more affordable and convenient for anyone who wants to live here without a car.”
Michelle Allison, General Manager, King County Metro: “King County Metro appreciates the continued support of Seattle voters for safe, clean and reliable transit service. By renewing and expanding the Seattle Transit Measure, people across Seattle will see buses arriving more frequently, later at night, earlier in the morning and on weekends as we improve and expand service for riders. A strong transit system helps make our region more connected, affordable, accessible and economically competitive. That benefits everyone in King County—even people who don’t ride Metro. Passage of this measure shows that riders support the great bus service they have and want even more, and we’re glad to deliver.”
Rob Saka, Seattle City Councilmember and Transportation Committee Chair: “I want to thank Seattle voters for generously approving the Seattle Transit Measure. This reflects what can happen when we work together to deliver practical solutions for Seattle residents. My office worked closely with the community and my colleagues in City Hall to ensure this measure reflected the right balance of expanding reliable transit service, investing in the durable infrastructure to make our transportation system more accessible, and delivering the safety, accountability, and climate resilience that Seattleites deserve.”
Alexis Mercedes Rinck, Seattle City Councilmember and Transportation Committee Vice-Chair (Position 8, Citywide): “Thank you Seattle voters for choosing to invest in dependable all-day transit service. Buses are the backbone of Seattle’s transportation system. As your only car-free councilmember, I know that fast and frequent transit access is essential for our neighbors. When our buses work well it connects people to work and opportunity, gives families more time to spend together, and makes our entire city work better.”
Dionne Foster, Seattle City Councilmember (Position 9, Citywide): “Seattle voters have once again shown that reliable, affordable transit is a priority. By approving the Seattle Transit Measure, we’re building a future with more effective transit, one where buses come frequently, every rider has a path to opportunity, and our city keeps moving. This 10-year renewal, backed by roughly $138 million a year, means no gap in service when the current measure expires and gives riders and workers the long-term certainty they deserve. I’m grateful to every voter, advocate, and transit worker who made this possible, and I look forward to making sure every dollar delivers for our communities.”
Kirk Hovenkotter, Executive Director, Transportation Choices Coalition: “With this result, Seattle’s wait for the bus is about to get a lot shorter. Voters sent a clear message: they want our city to be easier and more affordable to get around. Thank you to Mayor Wilson and the City Council for putting forward this bold investment in transit. And thank you to the incredible coalition of advocates, transit operators, and labor unions who powered the Hop on Board campaign to victory.”
Rod Brandon, Executive Director, Seattle Housing Authority: “Access to reliable, affordable transit is essential for the residents we serve. We are grateful for the continued investment in the Transit Pass Program and what it means for thousands of our residents who rely on public transportation to get to work, school and appointments. Through our partnership with SDOT, more than 6,600 residents took more than 1.3 million rides last year alone. These numbers show how important this program is to our communities. With continued support, we can help more residents stay connected to the people, places and opportunities that matter most.”
Greg Woodfill, President, ATU Local 587: “ATU Local 587 thanks and appreciates Seattle voters for once again prioritizing the expansion of safe, reliable public transit! Thanks again to Mayor Wilson, the Seattle City Council, and SDOT for delivering this choice to the ballot. Public transit benefits us all, whether we use it or not. When we collectively fight for more transit, we win!”
Akira Ohiso and Sharon Sobers-Outlaw, Co-Chairs, Seattle Transportation Equity Workgroup: “SDOT’s Transportation Equity Workgroup thanks Seattle voters for passing the Seattle Transit Measure. The measure reflects priorities that community members have consistently elevated through the Transportation Equity Framework: preserving essential transit service, expanding ORCA support, and adding service where riders depend on it most. This renewed investment reinforces what communities have long voiced: accessible, reliable public transportation is fundamental to opportunity and equity in Seattle.”
Zach Burton and Ashwin Bhumbla, Co-chairs, Seattle Transportation Advisory Board: “The Seattle Transit Advisory Board is thrilled about the passage of the third iteration of the Seattle Transit Measure (STM), a significant milestone and investment in Seattle’s public transportation system. By funding transit service beyond baseline levels, the measure will expand bus service by 47% and add approximately 100,000 additional trips annually, beginning next year. These improvements will give Seattle residents more frequent and reliable transit options, reduce wait times, and make it easier to depend on public transportation for everyday travel. Ultimately, the measure will help make transit a more convenient and competitive alternative to driving, while strengthening Seattle’s overall transportation network.”
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