Community Transit Board approves 2026-2027 two-year budget

The Community Transit Board of Directors adopted the agency's first-ever two-year budget yesterday. The biennial budget covers 2026 and 2027. It focuses particularly on safety investments and setting the stage for future service improvements. The agency will also celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026 with a public celebration and other remembrances of its 50 years of service to Snohomish County.

Customer and employee safety are strong features in the 2026-27 budget. Community Transit will continue to expand its transit security staffing by adding 14 new Transit Security Officers (TSO’s) to its staff of 34 TSO’s, allowing for 24/7 staffing of the agency’s Security Operations Center. The two-year budget also includes funding for installation of driver barrier doors in all Community Transit coaches, which will begin soon.

“We are committed to providing outstanding service to our growing base of customers from across Snohomish County,” said Community Transit CEO Ric Ilgenfritz. “Following the major network expansions Community Transit implemented in 2024 and 2025, it’s never been easier for people to safely and securely move around our thriving communities and throughout the region, with easy connections to and from congestion-free light rail trains.” 

The budget approves funding for expanding service in the future. The timing for additional service will depend on staffing. Community Transit, like other agencies nationwide, is experiencing a shortage of mechanics which impacts the ability to put even more buses into service. Community Transit will be focused on intensive recruitment efforts; job openings are posted at communitytransit.org/careers.

The budget sets the stage for further Board conversations about the growth of Community Transit’s popular Zip service, which currently operates in the Alderwood area of Lynnwood along with pilots in Arlington, Darrington, and Lake Stevens. Subject to future Board direction, the budget provides funding for two more Zip zones, and also includes funding for an on-demand DART paratransit pilot. 

Community Transit continues its practice of drafting balanced budgets with fully funded reserves and operating revenues ($282.1 million in 2026 and $290.3 million in 2027) exceeding operating expenditures ($277.2 million in 2026 and $282.9 million in 2027) both years.