[nfbwatlk] {Disarmed} FW: Agreement on $20 charge to preserve Metro service

[Jacob Struiksma]

Council supermajority agrees to vote for $20 charge to avert Metro service
cuts

King County Executive Dow Constantine announced this morning that a
supermajority of seven County Council members have agreed to support the
proposed $20 congestion reduction charge to help fund Metro for two years.

They are supporting the charge in combination with additional actions to
increase the transit system's efficiency.

Approval of their agreed-upon legislative package would avert a 17 percent
cut of Metro bus service. The Council is scheduled to take action next
Monday, Aug. 15. 

Read
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UlkPSYmJg==&&&100&&&http://www.kingcounty.gov/exec/news/release/2011/August/
12MetroBusServiceAgreement.aspx> the County Executive's news release>

The agreement announced today would do the following:

*	

	Develop a new transit incentive program that will offer bus tickets
to people when they renew their car tabs. 
People can either use the tickets to try transit or donate the ticket value
to a pool that human service agencies will use to provide mobility for
people in need.

*	

	Phase out the downtown Seattle Ride Free Area (RFA) in October 2012.

The City of Seattle pays Metro $400,000 a year to support the RFA, but that
covers only about 18 percent of Metro's $2.2 million annual cost to operate
the RFA. Phasing out the RFA will increase fare revenue for Metro. Other
advantages:
- The transit system will be simpler-riders will always pay when they board.
- Passengers heading away from downtown will get off the bus at any door,
making deboarding easier and faster.
- Metro expects a decrease in the number of people who board downtown and
don't pay when they reach their destination. 

*	

	Increase the pool of funds that provides discounted bus tickets to
human service and homeless programs. 
Metro sells human service agencies deeply discounted tickets worth nearly $2
million annually. Metro will either increase the current ticket allocation
or further reduce the discount, while giving the public the option of
donating their transit incentive tickets. Metro will seek the advice of
human service agencies on how to best help those in need. This enhanced
program will assist those who have relied on free service downtown--and give
them the ability to travel outside of downtown with the tickets.

*	

	Move ahead with "right-sizing" transit service, consistent with the
aim of Metro's strategic plan to build a more productive, cost-effective
transit system. 
In communities where Metro's fixed-route buses serve few riders, Metro will
deploy lower-cost, more efficient Dial-a-Ride Transit (DART), community
access transportation services, and vanpools. Metro will reach out to
community organizations and local residents to help shape "right-size"
transportation strategies.

*	

	Consider routes that carry more riders due to the effects of highway
tolling as candidates for added services. 
This is consistent with principles to enhance Metro's productivity developed
by the Regional Transit Task Force and adopted in Metro's strategic plan.

While the temporary congestion reduction charge is in effect, the County
would continue working with state and regional leaders on a long-term
funding solution for transit. 

For updates and background information, visit
www.kingcounty.gov/metro/future
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