Snohomish County, Wash. – Community Transit proposes to increase bus service by 15% next year following an historic year of transit increases in 2024.
The agency’s proposed 2025 budget also includes funding for three new Zip microtransit pilot projects that will start later this year and increases in security staff and programs.
The proposed budget is available for review at communitytransit.org/budget and the public is invited to comment through Nov. 7.
“In 2024, Snohomish County residents saw the biggest transit changes in decades. The opening of the Swift Orange Line and Lynnwood light rail extension gave residents access to more frequent transit service throughout the county and region,” said Community Transit CEO Ric Ilgenfritz. “In 2025, we will continue growing and innovating as well listening to customers and adapt our service offerings to better meet their needs.”
Community Transit proposes a balanced 2025 budget with operating revenues ($278.1 million) exceeding operating expenditures ($248.6 million), and all reserves are fully funded. The agency’s proposed capital budget of $205.6 million funds continued investments in zero-emission buses and infrastructure as well as DART and vanpool vehicle purchases. Overall, the agency workforce is proposed to grow from 979 employees in 2024 to 1,093 by the end of 2025.
Community
Transit will increase its bus service by 15% in 2025 by adding more trips to a
local bus network that was completely reimagined in 2024. Also, three
new Zip microtransit pilot projects that will launch in late 2024 will
experience a full year of operations in 2025.
Several
upgrades are planned to enhance security for riders and employees.
Twelve new Transit Security Officers will be hired to staff the field
security unit that patrols transit corridors and responds to incidents.
Also, new coach operator safety barriers will be installed on buses, and
cameras and security systems at stations and transit centers will be
upgraded.
Three
Swift network expansion projects will be underway in 2025. Station
upgrades are planned for the Blue and Green lines to match signage,
payment system, lighting, and security improvements introduced with the
Orange Line. Also, planning and design for a Swift Green Line extension
to the University of Washington’s Bothell campus continues, as does the
public engagement, scoping, and implementation planning for Swift Gold
Line, set to open in 2029.
The proposed 2025 budget includes funding for 29 zero-emissions buses, planning work for zero-emissions utility infrastructure, and design efforts that will incorporate zero-emissions technology at both the Hardeson Campus and Kasch Park operating bases.
The
budget also funds purchase of 28 replacement DART paratransit vehicles
and 40 vanpool vehicles. Other planned vehicle replacements consist of
several transportation supervisor vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and
transit security vehicles.
Operating
grants and contributions amount to $13.5 million and contribute 4.9% to
operating revenues. This is down from $21.4 million in 2024.
Community
Transit became eligible to receive the Washington Transit Support Grant
when it implemented a free youth fare policy. This grant and the
Special Needs Operating grant became available when Washington’s
legislature and governor adopted the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The
CCA established certain revenue and grant programs for public transit
due to the environmental benefits that transit provides. However, in
November 2024, state voters will consider an initiative to repeal the
CCA, which could have adverse funding implications for the next 15
years, starting in 2025. Due to this possibility, Community Transit has
budgeted in 2025 to receive approximately 50% of what was expected in
2024.
The proposed 2025 budget is available for review at communitytransit.org/budget. Members of the public can comment in a variety of ways through Nov. 7: