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.
Performance audit of Sound Transit reveals over $100 million spent to fix mistakes and missing information
From the Washington Policy Center: The Washington State Auditor’s Office (SAO) released a performance audit of Sound Transit, finding that the agency should spend more time upfront in carefully designing and planning projects to reduce high...
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!
California Bullet Train Quickly Losing Money and Support
Los Angeles Times: A viaduct built in Madera for California’s high-speed rail project. (High-Speed Rail Authority) Lawmakers are withdrawing their support from the high-speed rail project as many become skeptical of the plans and...
Taking a big hit to ridership, King County Metro sees COVID-19 recovery as opportunity to “reset”
From the Washington Policy Center: In a June 17 update, King County Metro provided information on the agency’s COVID-19 response and recovery, as well as the impact of the pandemic on budget and policy. Metro reported that ridership...
Hold Seattle DOT accountable before trusting it to fix West Seattle Bridge
From the Washington Policy Center:The West Seattle Bridge was first opened to traffic in 1984, replacing a twin drawbridge (or bascule bridge) that had been struck in 1978 by the freighter Chavez. Its replacement – a segmental bridge supported...
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
- Coronavirus cases spike among Puget Sound-area...by Heidi Groover on November 28, 2020 at 2:00 pm
The number of COVID-19 cases among Puget Sound transit workers is on the rise as the virus spread across the region. At least three local transit drivers have died since March.
- Seattle City Council approves new car-tab fee....by Heidi Groover on November 24, 2020 at 1:43 am
The Seattle City Council has approved a $20 car-tab fee, but has not decided yet how to spend the money. The fee would take effect July 1 if approved by Mayor Jenny Durkan.
- Mayor Durkan aims to repair and reopen the West...by Mike Lindblom on November 20, 2020 at 3:48 am
The city forecasts reopening a repaired West Seattle Bridge in mid-2022, but an outside expert says it's possible to shave some time off that schedule.
- West Seattle Bridge repair cheaper than...by Heidi Groover and Mike Lindblom on November 20, 2020 at 2:20 am
Repairing the West Seattle Bridge is cheaper in the short run than a partial replacement. But it will still leave the city looking for ways to cover an array of expenses for years to come.
- WATCH: Local leaders discuss repair, replacement...by Michelle Baruchman on November 20, 2020 at 12:08 am
In an hour-long conversation over Zoom, The Seattle Times asked local leaders about the options to repair or replace the cracked West Seattle Bridge as Mayor Jenny Durkan mulled a final decision.
- Mayor Durkan wants to repair, not replace, the...by Mike Lindblom on November 19, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Mayor Jenny Durkan says the city should repair the cracked West Seattle Bridge, and she hopes to reopen the span in 2022. West Seattle motorists have detoured since late March, when cracks in the concrete girders caused officials to call for an emergency shutdown.
- Light-rail construction to close southbound I-5...by Mike Lindblom on November 19, 2020 at 2:00 pm
Three overnight closures are planned this weekend for southbound I-5 through Mountlake Terrace, where contractors are building a future light-rail bridge.
- Seattle City Council backs new $20 car-tab fee...by Heidi Groover on November 19, 2020 at 2:04 am
Seattle City Council members agree the city should enact a new $20 car-tab fee to help pay for transportation projects, but they don't agree on how to spent it.
- Many Seattle intersections lack accessible...by Heidi Groover on November 17, 2020 at 2:00 pm
Fewer than a quarter of Seattle's pedestrian crossing signals are equipped with audible signals that alert those who are blind or low-vision when it is safe to cross a street. The Seattle Department of Transportation says it is installing accessible signals as the city has the funding and using […]
- New $2.5M pedestrian, bike trail connection would...by Michelle Baruchman on November 17, 2020 at 2:00 pm
The $2.5 million ramp will connect the Highway 520 Trail with Eastrail on the Eastside. The Metropolitan King County Council is expect to approve the final funding for the project as part of Tuesday's budget vote. The bulk of funding comes from Facebook and REI, which each contributed $1 million […]