Smarter Transit is an all-volunteer, pro-transit, non-partisan, non-profit citizens’ organization. Our mission is to support and advocate for accountable public transportation governance and investments that grow transit, vanpool, carpool ridership, and safe bike and walking routes throughout the Puget Sound region in the most cost-effective way.
NYT: The Holy Grail of Transportation Is Right in Front of Us
Better bus service would improve millions of Americans’ lives. Opinion by NYT columnist, Farhad Manjoo. Photo: Florian Buettner/laif, via Redux
Here we post articles and news of interest regarding transit and transportation issues that affect the Puget Sound Region. If there are stories that you think deserve attention, or if you have news or information that you’d like to share, please contact us!
NYT: The Subway Needs Riders to Save It. Will They?
Billions of dollars in federal aid have pulled New York’s transit agency from the depths of its fiscal crisis. But a growing consensus that its ridership may never return entirely threatens its future. (Photograph by Ali Kate Cherkis, NYT)
Seattle Times: Sound Transit faces a $11.5 billion shortfall. Now what’s it going to do?
When Sound Transit unveiled a $54 billion tax measure in 2016, even its most tenacious critics said the rail and bus budgets were so larded with financial cushions the agency couldn’t possibly run short on cash. Only five years later,...
Washington State DOT’s Ultra High-Speed Ground Transportation Business Case Analysis (UHSGT) is a promotional brochure riddled with serious errors and misstatements
Read the complete paper here: Washington State DOT’s Ultra High-Speed Ground Transportation Business Case Analysis (UHSGT) is a promotional brochure riddled with serious errors and misstatementsKey Findings The term “Ultra High-Speed Ground Transportation...
Latest transportation stories from local papers
In the interest of providing the whole range of news regarding transportation and transit we are providing links to current articles and opinion pages. Smarter Transit does not necessarily agree with the views or info provided in all articles or op-eds.
Sound Transit News
- Sound Transit growth reflected in $90M in...by Mike Lindblom on November 18, 2017 at 2:00 pm
So far this year, Sound Transit’s governing board has approved five office leases totaling $90 million, underscoring the agency’s growth as a result of ST3.
- Train and transit talk: Highlights from reporter...by z-inactive-Tyler on November 10, 2017 at 12:52 am
Can Sound Transit projects be completed early? Will ST3 car tab fees come down? What impact will the Trump administration have on funding Seattle-area infrastructure? Mike Lindblom answered your transit-related questions.
- What can Sound Transit do to keep projects in the...by Seattle Times staff on November 8, 2017 at 2:00 pm
Transportation reporter Mike Lindblom answers your questions about the future of Sound Transit's light-rail projects, which are facing growing budget pressure from rising land values and construction costs.
- Sound Transit’s Lynnwood extension running...by Mike Lindblom on August 24, 2017 at 9:35 pm
The half-billion-dollar increase for the Sound Transit 2 Lynnwood line comes as a surprise for taxpayers, and officials will negotiate simpler designs with cities along the tracks.
- Here’s why your ST3 car tab fee is so highby Gina Cole and Daniel Beekman on March 17, 2017 at 1:00 pm
On episode 28 of The Overcast, Traffic Lab reporters Mike Lindblom and David Gutman get nerdy with us about Sound Transit 3 and the car tab fees that fund it.
- Sticker shock as much higher car-tab bills land...by David Gutman on February 17, 2017 at 7:43 pm
The state Department of Licensing is getting hit with calls from King, Pierce and Snohomish counties about increased car-tab fees that are just starting to go into effect following the passage of Sound Transit 3.
- Sound Transit moves fast to get deals on loans,...by Mike Lindblom on November 28, 2016 at 12:45 am
Sound Transit is making deals for $2.9 billion in federal loans, bond sales and grants while money is cheap.
- State senator calls for direct elections of Sound...by Mike Lindblom on November 18, 2016 at 1:38 am
Pierce County voters’ opposition to Sound Transit 3 has prompted state Sen. Steve O’Ban to propose direct elections of transit-board members.
- Where Sound Transit 3 projects could speed up or...by Mike Lindblom on November 14, 2016 at 2:00 pm
Political energy, less red tape or simpler design can speed projects. So can money, say, from the federal government. Disputes about track alignments, inaccurate cost forecasts, elaborate stations or tunnels, or a recession can create delays.
- Passing Sound Transit 3 boost for commuters, jobsby Jon Talton on November 12, 2016 at 4:00 pm
The Puget Sound region made a big step forward in transportation and the state advanced the condition of low-wage workers.
General Transportation News
- Northbound I-5 lanes near Tukwila reopened after...by Christine Clarridge on October 20, 2021 at 5:10 pm
All lanes of northbound Interstate 5 were closed for several hours Wednesday morning while a collision at the Duwamish curves, near Highway 599, was investigated, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
- Amazon’s self-driving cars are coming to...by Katherine Anne Long on October 20, 2021 at 1:30 am
An announcement from Amazon's self-driving car unit, Zoox, that it will soon begin testing prototypes of its autonomous vehicles in downtown Seattle, drew criticism from some transportation-safety advocates.
- Cost for docking Alaska state ferry idled nearly...by The Associated Press on October 18, 2021 at 6:46 pm
The cost to the state for docking an Alaska ferry that has been idled for nearly two years is close to $900,000 a year, with much of that representing insurance costs that were not previously publicly disclosed, CoastAlaska reported on Monday.
- Five I-5 rest areas to close in Snohomish and...by Mike Lindblom on October 15, 2021 at 1:00 pm
Citing an overload of trash and vandalism along with threats against employees, the Washington State Department of Transportation is closing five rest areas in Snohomish and Whatcom counties on an interim basis.
- Washington State Ferries to cut sailings on some...by Mike Lindblom on October 14, 2021 at 2:12 am
Washington State Ferries will reduce scheduled sailings on five routes starting Saturday as a chronic lack of workers continues. The agency decided it is better to provide leaner, more reliable service than to cancel scheduled sailings.
- Ferry service returning to normal Monday as more...by Mike Lindblom on October 11, 2021 at 7:10 pm
Following a severe crew and boat shortage on Friday, some Washington State Ferries returned to their normal sailings on Monday morning.
- Washington State Department of Transportation’s...by Christine Clarridge on October 11, 2021 at 2:07 pm
For several hours, Twitter appeared to be the only way the state's transportation system was getting out information.
- Pedestrian struck and killed on I-90 near North...by Sydney Brownstone on October 11, 2021 at 12:22 am
A 28-year-old man from Kent was killed when he was hit by the driver of a semi-truck heading east of North Bend on Interstate 90 Sunday morning. The man had been walking in one of the eastbound lanes of the highway.
- Renovated Seattle monorail station opens Monday...by Mike Lindblom on October 9, 2021 at 1:00 pm
With a wavy new roof and plentiful fare machines, the Seattle Center Monorail's Westlake Station is ready to reopen on Monday before concerts and the Kraken's first home opener at Climate Pledge Arena.
- Crew shortages bring unprecedented service cuts...by Mike Lindblom on October 8, 2021 at 7:00 pm
The service cutbacks are unprecedented in the nation's largest ferry system. Several sailings have been late, in what the agency called "a rough service day due to lack of crew." Most days about 600 are on duty, of a total workforce near 1,600.