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April 15, 2014 at 2:17 am #611033
wsbobMemberWhy I’m Voting YES on Proposition 1
The King County Transportation District is asking county residents to approve a 0.1% sales tax increase and a $60 car tab fee for transportation improvements, with 60 percent of the funding dedicated to preventing significant cuts in Metro bus services. Ballots are due by April 22nd.
Failure to pass Proposition 1 will result in the deletion or restructuring of over 180 bus routes in King County. Specifically, West Seattle would lose entirely routes 21, 22, 37, 57 and all remaining lines servicing West Seattle would either be reduced or revised – our neighborhood’s portion of the estimated loss of 600,000 service hours and an overall reduction in Metro routes of 16 percent. This is hard to fathom; I can’t remember the last time I rode a bus in or out of West Seattle and thought, “Hey, the bus isn’t very crowded today!” (Learn more about the potential cuts at http://metro.kingcounty.gov/am/future/PDFs/changes/proposed-swsea-skc.pdf)
Of course these reductions would disproportionately affect those individuals with limited transportation options, but it would impact virtually all commuters as people transition back into their cars and further clog our already difficult rush-hour commute. One of the great pleasures of living in West Seattle is its isolation to the rest of the city and the quiet lifestyle that comes along with it. But the downside of that isolation is our limited options for getting in and out of our neighborhood. Are we all really going to drive our cars across the West Seattle Bridge every day?! And it will only get tougher as our community continues its rapid growth. A Seattle Times report from last September noted that, at that time, nearly 3,900 new housing units had been built in our area, with another 1,258 either approved or under review.
A convenient, low-stress commute is reason #1 for taking the bus, but we also get to enjoy the less obvious benefits of ridership such as:
• Helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• The opportunity to read, write, nap, etc. while commuting
• The acquisition physical exercise –as it is estimated that 85 percent of all transit riders walk at one or both ends of their commute
Like you, I’m not thrilled about the prospect of paying more in car tab fees and sales tax, but given all the benefits that come with an effective mass transit system, it feels like a good return on my investment. Please consider joining me in voting ‘yes’ on Proposition 1. (Learn more at http://www.movekingcountynow.org.)
April 15, 2014 at 2:44 am #806950
JoBParticipantYes!
April 15, 2014 at 2:51 am #806951
metrognomeParticipantI would add 2 clarifications …
if passed, Prop 1 would result in a net increase of $40 to car tabs as the current $20 ‘congestion reduction fee’ is expiring;
the other 40% of the revenue collected will be distributed to KC Roads Services and to local jurisdictions, based on population, for road improvements.
April 15, 2014 at 4:53 am #806952
snaParticipantRe: the 40% for roads.
It can be used for roads, but the 40% could be used for bike lanes, syncronizing the traffic lights for busses, or just about anything transportation related. Only the portion allocated to unincorporated King County is specifically for roads.
April 15, 2014 at 5:58 am #806953
metrognomeParticipant@sna – thanks for the clarification and link.
For folks who haven’t voted yet, it is worth noting that there is an option for persons with ‘low incomes’ to apply for a $20 rebate per vehicle. A $1.50 ‘low income’ fare is also part of Prop 1.
For the tab rebate, per RCW 36.73.015(3) ‘”Low-income” means household income that is at or below forty-five percent of the median household income, adjusted for household size, for the district in which the fees, taxes, or tolls were imposed.’
I believe this same threshold applies to the bus fare.
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