Snohomish County—Jeopardy! host and Edmonds native Ken Jennings is joining forces with Community Transit to launch “The Transit Effect” — a seven-part video series exploring how public transit is rooted in our communities and has emerged as a powerful catalyst for cultural and economic growth.
Jennings, Jeopardy’s record-breaking champion and host, walks us through the history of transit and the unexpected ways it continues to influence the way we live, move, and connect.
“I’ve been a transit nerd my whole life. Back in college, I always used Community Transit buses to get between the University of Washington and south Snohomish County, where my relatives lived. And I still use transit today! I’m a genuine believer: I think public transit makes communities better for everyone, and I’m always happy to share that belief with others,” said Jennings.
Produced by Community Transit, each episode of the “The Transit Effect” series covers a different topic — from economic benefits to building healthier communities. Jennings’s signature wit, authenticity and approachable style guides the experience, and encourages current and prospective riders to explore transit options available in Snohomish County and the region.
How to watch The Transit Effect
Watch the video series and read the accompanying stories which take a deeper dive into each topic at ctgo.org/transitmatters. Each video in the series will be released every couple of months through 2026.
Community Transit provides bus and paratransit service, vanpool, and innovative transit options in Snohomish County. The agency is expanding the Swift bus rapid transit network to connect people to light rail and provide fast, frequent service throughout the county.
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
One Response
This is a coup for the public transit agency to secure someone of Ken Jennings’ stature as well as Rick Steves’ before him to produce videos about transit. It’s good PR for the agency, but on the other hand, how many riders does it gain? My guess: few if any of the multitudes that don’t currently ride. More concerning is who is paying the costs of producing these videos? The answer is found within this public agency’s 2025 budget. For 2025, the agency’s estimated funding included 66% by sales tax revenues-theirs at 1.2% are the highest in the state (tied with Intercity in Thurston County, but Intercity operates fare-free); 24% by grants and contributions; 7% by investment income; and 3% by fares. IMO, a far better use of public transit money include their workshops that teach older adults how to most effectively ride public transit (recently publicized in the Herald) and their existing ones that they have in schools, both which increase riders, for there are hidden barriers to new riders; their recent survey about bus stops aimed at potentially improving the rider experience (safety, lighting, signage, benches, shelter, cleanliness), which also begets more riders when the experience is good; and serving more destinations for that will appeal to those who aren’t able-bodied, even if it means deviating off of the arterials/corridors, such as to the Paine FIeld terminal, the region’s secondary airport.