On Tuesday, February 4th, the King County Council will host a special public meeting on ordinances proposed for METRO transit service, and local road and transportation infrastructure in King County. At Union Station (at 401 South Jackson St,) starting at 6p, the public can hear about proposals that would create a Transportation Benefit District, and place new funding for this district on an April 2014 ballot.
Proposed measure #2013-0526, submitted by Fremont’s King County District #4 Councilmember Larry Phillips, would create a Transportation Benefit District within King County, “in order to finance the acquisition, construction, operation, maintenance and preservation of public transportation facilities, services and programs, roads and any other projects authorized by chapter 36.73 RCW.”
Proposed measure #2013-0527, submitted as well by Councilmember Phillips also has Councilmembers Rod Dembowski and Kathy Lambert listed as sponsors, and proposes basically the same action.
Funding sources for these Transportation Benefit Districts include:
- a scheduled fare increase of 25 cents in 2015, with the first-ever reduced fare to be created for low-income riders
- a $60 annual vehicle fee
- a 0.1% increase in sales tax collected within King County
The public will be allowed to give testimony to the King County Council at the February 4th meeting. According to Councilmember Phillips’ press release about this meeting, METRO Transit needs up to $75 million in additional revenue to maintain existing levels of service. King County has proposed cuts of up to 600,000 annual transit service hours beginning later this year if new revenue income is not established.