Bill to open bus only lanes to employer shuttles sparks debate in Olympia
Feb 25, 2025, 4:57 AM | Updated: 5:10 am
A Seattle Children’s shuttle leaving the hospital in Seattle. (Photo courtesy of SDOT)
(Photo courtesy of SDOT)
A proposed bill that would allow private employer shuttles to use transit-only lanes in King County has set off a debate between business leaders, transit advocates and public transportation officials.
House Bill 1980 had a public hearing in front of the House Transportation Committee Monday. It aims to create a permit system that would allow employer-sponsored commuter shuttles access to these lanes, a move supporters say would ease congestion and promote alternative transportation.
Large tech companies like Microsoft and Amazon routinely use shuttles to move their employees from their various campuses in the county.
Currently, King County Metro is planning to add business access and transit (BAT) lanes in downtown Bellevue, including Northeast 10th Street, 110th Avenue Northeast and Main Street. These lanes are primarily for buses, but drivers of other vehicles can use them to turn into nearby businesses.
Supporters of HB 1980 argue that allowing private employer shuttles to use these lanes would increase efficiency and reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicles on the road.
Bellevue eager to make changes to bus-only lanes
Jodie Alberts of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce voiced strong support for the bill, arguing that it would maximize the use of transit infrastructure.
“State law prevents employer shuttles from using these lanes,” she said. “These shuttles already help reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips and provide reliable transportation for thousands of employees, yet under current restrictions, they would be stuck in general traffic, limiting their effectiveness.”
Mayor Lynne Robinson of Bellevue echoed those sentiments, emphasizing that the city welcomes King County Metro’s RapidRide K Line project, which would connect Bellevue and Kirkland.
“We have an opportunity to maximize efficiency by allowing employer shuttles to share space with transit buses in the BAT lanes,” she said, adding that the proposed permit system would allow for monitoring and adjustments to ensure public transit remains reliable.
Concerns Over Public Transit Prioritization
Despite support from local business leaders and city officials, public transportation advocates and some lawmakers are skeptical. Michael Shaw of the Washington State Transit Association opposed the bill, arguing that the current law already allows private vehicles under certain conditions but prioritizes efficiency and reliability for public transit.
“We asked that the shuttles be larger than an eight-person capacity. The other is it cannot be done if it interferes with the efficiency, reliability or safety of public transportation operations” Shaw said. “We’d like to see those in this bill.”
Shaw also raised concerns about the bill’s lack of explicit provisions ensuring King County Metro’s involvement in the permitting process. Given that RapidRide routes cross multiple jurisdictions, he stressed that Metro should play a central role in managing lane access.
Striking a Balance
Some groups remain neutral on the bill but suggest modifications. Kelly Reifer of Move Redmond acknowledged the benefits of allowing employer shuttles in BAT lanes but recommended adding safeguards.
“We want to ensure that King County Metro has adequate ability to regulate the number of private shuttles using these lanes so that public transit service isn’t degraded,” she said. Reifer also proposed that employers using BAT lanes should contribute to infrastructure maintenance or pedestrian safety improvements.
The bill needs to pass the House Transportation Committee with a ‘do-pass’ recommendation in order to get into the queue for a vote on the House floor.
