Six Year Transit Development Plan

Each year, Community Transit updates its six-year Transit Development Plan (TDP). It forecasts the agency's financial picture six years out and outlines services the agency can provide.

The 2017-2022 Transit Development Plan describes implementation of new transit services, innovative technologies and facilities to support service and improve the experience of Community Transit customers. This document outlines how and when new service may be implemented to meet existing and future demand. It also considers timelines for technology, facilities, hiring new employees and purchasing new vehicles.

It was adopted by the Board of Directors on September 6, 2018.

Transit Development Plan Highlights

Agency growth and innovation

The 2017-2022 Transit Development Plan looks ahead six years to forecast sales tax revenue, and to match proposed future service expansions with the labor and fleet needed to provide that service.

By 2022, Community Transit will increase its fleet to 310 buses, 462 vanpools and 52 DART buses.  Bus service levels will reach an all-time high by 2019 and are forecast to exceed 500,000 annual service hours by 2022.  In addition, the agency will need to hire about 250 new employees over the next six years, mostly bus drivers and mechanics. There are currently more than 600 people who work for the agency.

The plan describes a program of innovative Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) projects designed to improve the experience of our customers. These technologies will improve and simplify fare payment, delivery of real-time transit information and service alerts. 

Community Transit also continues to be a leader in the development of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programs.  Funded through partnerships with Snohomish County and local jurisdictions, these programs are finding new ways to connect customers with public transportation.

2017-2018 Expansion and Beyond

Recently, the Community Transit Board of Directors approved a plan to increase bus service by 6 percent with changes in September 2017 and March 2018, including two routes that will serve the Boeing-Paine Field area from south Snohomish County.

The plan will also improve transit connections throughout the county, add more weekday trips to Seattle and UW, and improve Sunday bus service with more frequent buses and later hours on some routes.

In 2019, a major service expansion will include the launch of the Swift Green Line between Canyon Park and Boeing/Paine Field. The service proposals beyond 2019 are concepts and will need to be vetted by the Board of Directors each year.

Within the six-year timeframe, a third Swift route, the Swift Orange Line, will be studied with the intent to launch as part of a south county service restructure to meet up with light rail when it reaches Lynnwood in 2024. Eventually, a network of Swift lines will criss-cross the county to provide fast, frequent transit connections throughout Snohomish County.