Snohomish County—Community Transit proposes to increase bus service next year following an historic year of transit expansion in 2024. The agency’s proposed 2025 budget also includes funding for three new Zip microtransit pilot projects that will start later this year and increases in security staff and programs.
The proposed budget is available for review at communitytransit.org/budget and the public is invited to comment through Nov. 7. Members of the public can comment in a variety of ways through Nov. 7:
- Email: budget@commtrans.org
- Social: Facebook @communitytransit, Instagram @communitytransit, LinkedIn @communitytransit
- Mail: Community Transit, Administrative Office, 2312 W Casino Rd, Everett, WA 98204
- Call: 425-353-RIDE (7433)
- Public hearing: Community Transit Board Meeting: 3 p.m., Nov. 7 (sign up at communitytransit.org/how-to-attend-a-meeting). The meeting will be in a hybrid format, with in-person attendance and an online option available. Visit our Board of Directors page and click on Upcoming Meetings for meeting materials and information on how to participate or listen
“In 2024, Snohomish County residents saw the biggest transit changes in decades. The opening of the Swift Orange Line and Lynnwood light rail extension gave residents access to more frequent transit service throughout the county and region,” said Community Transit CEO Ric Ilgenfritz. “In 2025, we will continue growing and innovating as well listening to customers and adapt our service offerings to better meet their needs.”
Community Transit proposes a balanced 2025 budget with operating revenues ($278.1 million, a 1.8 percent increase) exceeding operating expenditures ($248.6 million), and all reserves are fully funded. The agency’s proposed capital budget of $205.6 million funds continued investments in zero-emission buses and infrastructure as well as DART and vanpool vehicle purchases. Overall, the agency workforce is proposed to grow from 979 employees in 2024 to 1,093 by the end of 2025.
The 2025 operating budget of $248.6 million includes all department-related operating expenses
plus insurance costs, fuel, and the salary and professional services pools. The total 2025 operating budget proposal shows an increase of $17 million, or 17.3%, as compared to
operating expenses in the 2024 amended budget.
Community Transit provides bus and paratransit service, vanpool, and innovative transit options in Snohomish County. The agency continues to expanding its Swift bus rapid transit network to connect people to light rail and provide fast, frequent service throughout the county.
Service increases
Community Transit will increase its bus service in 2025 by adding more trips to a local bus network that was completely reimagined in 2024. Also, three new Zip microtransit pilot projects that will launch in late 2024 will experience a full year of operations in 2025.
(Excludes Sound Transit Service). SOURCE: Community Transit
For the last full year of data available, Community Transit provided 7.1 million passenger trips in
2023 on bus, Zip Shuttle, DART paratransit, and vanpool services.
Overall ridership increased by approximately 23% from 5.8 million in 2022. Bus boardings also
increased by 23% from 5.4 million to 6.6 million. Vanpool boardings increased by 35% from
281,000 in 2022 up to 381,000 in 2023. Transit demand (DART) boardings increased 16% from
105,000 in 2022 to 121,000 in 2023.
Weekday ridership averaged 23,000 boardings (a 24% increase from 19,000 boardings in 2022). Saturday ridership increased by 24% (an average of 12,100 boardings in 2023 compared to 9,800 boardings in 2022). Sunday ridership increased by 23% (9,000 boardings in 2023 up from 7,400 boardings in 2022). The statistical section of this report contains additional detailed operating information about service miles and fares.
Security
Several upgrades are planned to enhance security for riders and employees. Twelve new Transit Security Officers will be hired to staff the field security unit that patrols transit corridors and responds to incidents. Also, new coach operator safety barriers will be installed on buses, and cameras and security systems at stations and transit centers will be upgraded.
Swift bus rapid transit expansion
Three Swift network expansion projects will be underway in 2025. Station upgrades are planned for the Blue and Green lines to match signage, payment system, lighting, and security improvements introduced with the Orange Line. Also, planning and design for a Swift Green Line extension to the University of Washington’s Bothell campus continues, as does the public engagement, scoping, and implementation planning for Swift Gold Line, set to open in 2029.
Vehicles and infrastructure
The proposed 2025 budget includes funding for 29 zero-emissions buses—$65.6 million for 19 sixty-foot hybrid fuel cell electric BRT buses and 10 forty-foot battery electric buses—planning work for zero-emissions utility infrastructure ($3.3 million), and design efforts ($28.5 million) that will incorporate zero-emissions technology at both the Hardeson Campus and Kasch Park operating bases.
The budget also funds purchase of 28 replacement DART paratransit vehicles and 40 vanpool vehicles. Other planned vehicle replacements consist of several transportation supervisor vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and transit security vehicles.
Federal, state, and local grants
Operating grants and contributions amount to $13.5 million and contribute 4.9% to operating revenues. This is down from $21.4 million in 2024.
Community Transit became eligible to receive the Washington Transit Support Grant when it implemented a free youth fare policy. This grant and the Special Needs Operating grant became available when Washington’s legislature and governor adopted the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The CCA established certain revenue and grant programs for public transit due to the environmental benefits that transit provides. However, in November 2024, state voters will consider an initiative to repeal the CCA, which could have adverse funding implications for the next 15 years, starting in 2025. Due to this possibility, Community Transit has budgeted in 2025 to receive approximately 50% of what was expected in 2024.
ative transit options in Snohomish County. The agency continues to expanding its Swift bus rapid transit network to connect people to light rail and provide fast, frequent service throughout the county.
SOURCE: Community Transit
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
