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Funds drying up for Metro Transit bus service in Seattle

BY Kim Shepard  on February 5, 2013 @ 6:29 am (Updated: 8:34 am - 2/5/13 )

With a couple of taxes expiring next year, Metro Transit is warning about major cuts to bus service if they don't find some new money fast.

A $20 car tab fee and a $32 million stipend from the state will both dry up in 2014.

Metro's General Manager Kevin Desmond told the Seattle City Council Monday, if they don't find another $75 million per year, one-sixth of all downtown bus services could be cut.

The Seattle Times reports one suggestion is a new $150 car tab fee per $10,000 of vehicle value, 60 percent of which would go to transit, along with an eight cent state-wide increase in gas taxes.

Desmond is hoping the city council will join him in asking state lawmakers for new taxing authority in what he calls the "Keep Seattle Moving" campaign.

Kim Shepard, KIRO Radio Reporter
Kim Shepard is a news anchor and reporter for KIRO Radio and the office optimist. She's energetic, quick to laugh and has a positive outlook on life.
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Comments (22)


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  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Here we go another GLOOM AN DOOM
    February 5, 2013 6:09 am
    post by another department head that blows through taxpayer money and demands more, instead of cutting waste and fraud.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    Good job Kim!!
    February 5, 2013 8:10 pm
    Thanks for letting us know Metro needs help so we can get the dialogue going and keep Metro Transit (and Seattle) cruising along! We Love you Metro Transit!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Fuego wrote...
    The only thing missing
    February 5, 2013 6:38 am
    is the claim that we'll be harming children if this new tax isn't passed. What a joke!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    Maybe you should just cut the services or raise fares
    February 5, 2013 6:46 am
    Let those who use the service pay for it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    If it is not financially effective
    February 5, 2013 6:59 am

    to keep service going, then it only makes sense to cut service? Why would you continue to fund something that is not sustainable? Either increase the price to ride the bus or cut service.

    Why would you make a segment of the population that don't even use the bus pay for the people that do use the bus?

    What the phuuck is wrong with you people.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • imanegro wrote...
    sounds like a great idea
    February 5, 2013 7:08 am
    Most of us have a few hundred dollars laying around... I'd love to flush it down the toilet so someone else's bus rides are subsidized.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Annie (1) wrote...
    Ridiculous
    February 5, 2013 7:09 am
    Love how Metro skews statistics-they continue to claim a surge in ridership!!The "surge"-- especially on the C line (West Seattle) is one of their own making-they cut routes & schedules so of course the busses that do run are crowded.Before we start charging $150 per $10.000 in car value-or raising the gas tax 8 cents-STATE WIDE(I'm sure the folks in E.WA will love paying more for Seattles Metro busses)-how about we stop subsidizing that ridiculous train that runs(sometimes) to & from Edmonds!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    GOOD
    February 5, 2013 8:07 am
    Knife the baby. And get these a-holes out of any position where they can raise our taxes.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cameron wrote...
    60% to Transit? How about this....
    February 5, 2013 8:31 am
    Raise the Gas Tax, forget the MVET,Drop all tolling and divert the 60% to Bridge and Road construction and charge market rate for transit.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cameron wrote...
    Here is another fun fact about Metro...
    February 5, 2013 8:37 am
    When you see those access buses running around town, you know the 12 passenger mini-buses with capability for two wheel chairs. Did you know that it "costs" Metro $97.00 an hour to run one of those and it "costs" Metro $100.00 an hour to run a Double length articulated bus. The Overhead and "cost" structure of Metro is completely out of control. Let it collapse under it's own weight and rebuild it private and non-union.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    Funds drying up?
    February 5, 2013 8:50 am
    Uh, no. You libs have just blown it all. Nice try though.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }