Metro riders push for tax increase to save service

Bus riders are urging King County to raise taxes to prevent a potential 17 percent cut in Metro bus service.

More than 400 of them filled Union Station in Seattle Tuesday evening asking the council to go to the legislature in Olympia and ask for taxing authority. “I chose to live in this city because of the amenities,” one bus rider said. “If you take away the bus, I don’t really have that.”

One option is for a $150 car tab tax for every $10,000 in car value.

Metro says it will have to cut 65 bus routes and reduce service on 85 more, if it doesn’t get more money.

“If service is reduced and transit riders have to drive, it will be more expensive for everyone and clog-up our already clogged and congested roads,” said Kate Joncas, head of the Downtown Seattle Association.

But not everyone who gathered at the meeting spoke in favor of raising taxes. One rider said, “You can’t afford to keep pouring money into this system. You have to get the job done with what you have.”