Last Night: "People are Voting with Their Feet" for a Congestion Reduction Fee

This man is was in the majority last night. Photo by yours truly.

As the sun set last night, more than 500 citizens lined 3rd Avenue and curled up Yesler Way, waiting for their turn to comment on the future of King County Metro. Nearly all had one thing to say: don't cut our bus, and don't trust the voters.

Yesterday's meeting, which lasted over 4 hours, marked the second open hearing regarding the proposal of a $20 car tab to support the public transit service in its time of financial crisis. Without the additional fee for motorists, Metro would suffer from a crippling $60 million annual deficit, and 9 million riders would be displaced annually by reduced or terminated bus lines--something those reliant on Metro seemed determined not to let happen.

Only 4 of the King County Councilmembers (Larry Phillips, Bob Ferguson, Larry Gossett, and Joe McDermott) were in attendance, much to the dismay of many who waited in line for hours to add their commentary. The 4 who did attend were also those who had already come out in favor of the fee.

City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who was the first speaker in favor of the car tab, took note of the line around the corner, commenting that he had "never seen a crowd like this" at any City Council meeting, stating that the people outside we "voting with their feet" in support of the measure.

Councilmember Rasmussen also pointed out a key statistic that spoke to any who were not in favor of the temporary, two-year fee: that since 2008, Metro riders have experienced 4 fare increases, raising the total cost of commuting around $500 per year, per rider. In essence, he said, riders have already, and continue to pay for their service. Fare hikes are not the answer.

The scene last night. Photo is mine.

The crowd was varied, with students, professionals, activists and commuters, as well as social justice groups, the elderly, minority groups and people with disabilities. One after another, car owners and bus-only commuters stepped up to the lectern, listing their daily bus routes, and testifying that the proposed cuts would be detrimental or disastrous to many Seattle neighborhoods and residents.

"Most of our lives would be devastated if you take our transit away," stated one commenter.

Some of last night's speakers talked about the increased congestion, while others emphasized the necessity of bus service for those with disabilities, such as the visually impaired, or specialized medical needs. Many seemed nervous, admitting that they don't usually attend and speak at public hearings. Several lamented the imperfect nature of the bill, and offered suggestions for improving Metro's service, including raising the rate for reduced passes, reducing or removing the Ride Free Zone, cracking down on fare-dodgers and increasing Metro's efficiency and sustainability.

Regardless of minor differences, aside from a handful who stated that they made uncomfortable by the sentiment, the majority pled with the King County Councilmembers to keep the matter out of the hands of voters, and to vote in favor of the fee, which would put a stop to the debate and keep the measure off the November ballot.

Dissenters were few, but those who did speak out against the proposal were concerned about the punitive nature of an additional fare, and questioned Metro's efficiency moving forward. One noted that he'd seen many empty buses where he lived, in Enumclaw. Few had additional suggestions for how to keep lines from being cut.

But louder than any one testimony spoke the collective repetition of one message: King County's residents rely on the buses exactly as they are, and many don't mind paying an extra $20 here or there (one commenter called it "pocket change") to save them. With the drastic service cuts that are proposed, and without the additional fee, many residents would be much more than inconvenienced--they'd be out of luck.

"If we cut Metro service," one speaker summarized, "low-wage workers who can least afford it will lose their jobs. This is a needed public service."

There is one more public hearing on July 21 in Burien at the City Council Chambers, and a vote from the King County Councilmembers has been scheduled for July 25.