$7.7B on the Line: Mayor Franklin Leads Charge to Keep Everett Link on Track

EVERETT— With a looming $34.5 billion budget deficit facing Sound Transit’s regional light rail over the next 20 years, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin in an April 23, 2026, letter to the Sound Transit Board is laying a compelling case to keep a fully funded Everett Link in an upcoming ST3 System Plan vote expected no later than June 30. […]
Community Transit takeover sparks union backlash, Everett faces largest sales tax increase in state history

EVERETT—The City of Everett and Community Transit announced April 22 they are resuming work on an interlocal agreement to annex Everett into Community Transit’s Public Transportation Benefit Area, a move that would dissolve Everett Transit as a separate agency and transfer its services, routes, fleet, facilities and employees to the larger regional provider while doubling […]
Everett Transit and Community Transit resume talks to merge as light rail moves forward

EVERETT—Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin and Community Transit CEO Ric Ilgenfritz announced Wednesday, April 22, the resumption of joint efforts to consolidate Everett Transit and Community Transit into a single, expanded network serving Everett and Snohomish County. In the coming months, the two agencies will draft an interlocal agreement for the City of Everett’s annexation into […]
Community Transit becomes first public transit agency to earn Salmon-Safe Certification

SNOHOMISH COUNTY—By its very nature, public transit contributes to a cleaner environment by providing alternatives to personal vehicles. Now, Community Transit is going further as it becomes the first transit agency to earn Salmon-Safe Certification. The designation by independent, non-profit environmental organization Salmon-Safe marks a major milestone in the Snohomish County agency’s commitment to supporting […]
Community Transit Board approves purchase of Goodwill Property

EVERETT—The Community Transit Board of Directors unanimously approved purchase of the Goodwill property, located at 2208 West Casino Road adjacent to the Cascade Administration Building, valued at $25,350,000. The agreement includes a 24-month seller lease-back of $120,000/mo. “This is smart move,” Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine said. “It is something we are going to need in […]
Free Community Access Night launches at Everett Community Ice Rink

EVERETT—The Everett Community Ice Rink, in partnership with Community Transit, is proud to announce the launch of Community Access Night. The free, monthly public ice skate night breaks down barriers to recreation and encourages active lifestyles for youth and families across Snohomish County. This new initiative, presented by Community Transit, offers free admission to the […]
Community Transit unveils its $560 million 2026-2027 biennium budget

SNOHOMISH COUNTY—Community Transit has released its proposed biennial budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, marking the agency’s first shift to a two-year planning cycle. The plan, presented by Chief Executive Officer Ric Ilgenfritz, focuses on continued service improvements, infrastructure investments, and a transition to in-house operations amid economic uncertainties. The budget aligns with the […]
Rep. Larsen meets with Snohomish County leaders to discuss the region’s transportation needs

LYNNWOOD—Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) met with several Snohomish County leaders Wednesday, April 16, to discuss the region’s current surface transportation projects, how funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is being utilized and hear the county’s priorities for the surface transportation reauthorization bill. Participating in that roundtable discussion with Larsen was Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell, Everett […]
Community Transit Board approved 5-year Sustainability Action Plan

EVERETT—At its first meeting of 2025 on January 2, the Community Transit Board of Directors approved a Sustainability Policy and authorized its CEO Ric Ilgenfritz to implement a five-year Sustainability Action Plan based the three pillars of people, planet, and prosperity. The agency defines sustainability as “the processes and methods used to protect the environment, […]
Snohomish County bus riders can look forward to more service and lower reduced fares in 2025

Snohomish County—The Board of Directors approved the Community Transit 2025 budget on December 5. The board also approved lowering reduced fares to $1 for eligible riders. Others who qualify based on income for the Subsidized Annual Pass will be able to ride for free. “Transit needs to be an easy choice for people, so we’re […]