Community Transit Statement on I-976

We have been asked what the effects of I-976 might be to Community Transit. While Community Transit does not directly receive car tab funding, we do receive some state funding that could be impacted. Here is an analysis:

Analysis of Potential Initiative 976 Impacts on Community Transit

October 1, 2019

According to the Washington State Office of Financial Management*, it is estimated that passage of Initiative 976 would remove more than $1.9 billion in Washington State transportation funding over the next six years, including a nearly $1.5 billion impact to the Multimodal Transportation Account. Transit grant funding from that account will be at risk.

Funding that has been awarded to Community Transit from this Multimodal Transportation Account includes:

·         $416,000 in grant funding to support our Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) program in the 2019-2021 biennium. Through the Commute Trip Reduction program, Community Transit works with major employers in Snohomish County to reduce traffic congestion by providing alternative commuter options for employees.

·         $1.7M in special needs transit grants in the 2019-2021 biennium. Community Transit’s special needs programs allow us to provide transportation services for people who may not have access to transportation due to age, income and disability.

·         $5 million in Regional Mobility Grant funds for Swift Green Line operations.

·         $10M to support future Swift bus rapid transit projects through the Connecting Washington funding package.

Future funding from Special Needs Transportation, Commute Trip Reduction, Vanpool Investment and Regional Mobility Grant program are also at risk for reductions in funding if Initiative 976 passes. Community Transit has assumed $26.2 million dollars from state grant funding through 2025 for projects that maintain our system and expand service for our customers.

It is worth noting that it is challenging to predict the full and final effects of the initiative because implementation of the initiative will rely on future decisions made by the legislature and the resolution of any potential legal challenges. 

*https://www.ofm.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/budget/ballot/2019/FiscalImpactStatementInitiative976-093019.pdf

 

Appreciating our Customer Service Employees

Oct. 7-11 is Customer Service Appreciation Week! Community Transit has several teams of employees who directly serve our customers every day.

Drivers and Road Supervisors

Drivers and supervisors are the true "face" of Community Transit, in the field every day to help people -- whether they are customers or not -- get from where they are to where they want to be. 

Whether behind the wheel or wearing their red jacket and cap, drivers and supervisors are literally where the rubber meets the road to make travel easy for all.

Vanpool Coordinators

A first-rate team of five manages all 430 vans in our fleet. They match new riders with new or existing vanpools, help vanpool customers with emergencies as they arise, and coordinate the scheduling of needed maintenance.

Vanpool coordinators make commuting to work easier for everyone in Snohomish County, because the vanpools they serve keep about 13.4 miles of cars off the road every day -- a line of cars that would stretch from the 128th St. exit to the Northgate Mall exit on I-5!

RideStore Staff 

The RideStore, located at Lynnwood Transit Center, is where customers go to plan trips, retrieve lost and found items, and purchase or reload ORCA cards. 

RideStore staff also answer some of the phone calls to the ORCA customer service line, manage distribution of materials (such as Bus Plus books and ORCA cards) to offsite locations, and are responsible for the physical Rider Alerts that are posted at bus stops and transit centers.

Stop by the RideStore this week to say hello to the staff!

Service Ambassadors 

Our Service Ambassadors are a mighty team of eight who pair up to ride our buses and assist customers with their immediate needs, right in the moment. They perform fare payment checks on Swift, assist customers with ticket vending machines, and answer all kinds of questions.

When you spot a Service Ambassador in their distinctive blue jacket, you know that you'll be able to get whatever information you need about our service.

Customer Care Staff

The Customer Care team are the folks who answer the phone when you dial (425) 353-RIDE (7433). They take more than 600 calls in an average week, logging customer comments on everything from bus drivers to route suggestions to the agency's plans for future expansion. 

Customer Care staff often assist customers with planning a specific trip, helping them find the most efficient way to get where they want to be across whatever transportation mode is best suited to that person.

If you call (425) 353-RIDE (7433) any weekday from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. you can be sure that the Customer Care staff will be able to help you plan a trip, answer your questions, or ensure that your comments are routed to the appropriate Community Transit employee.

Customer service happens all year long
We hope that you take a moment to show appreciation for a Customer Service professional this week, but customer service touches us every day. Sometimes we give it and sometimes we receive it, but great customer service is a skill and an art that makes life a lot easier in very important ways.

Happy Customer Service Appreciation Week!