Our region’s need for transportation infrastructure and transit service is far from satisfied. Even in Seattle, Prop 1 and Move Seattle notwithstanding, riders continue to struggle with overcrowded buses, scant late-night service, and crumbling or nonexistent sidewalks. Now the global economy appears to be sliding toward a revenue-shrinking recession. So, when our state legislature considers a progressive funding option for transportation, we should sit up and take notice.

On Thursday, February 18, the House Transportation Committee will hold a public hearing on HB 2186, which would grant local authority for a Non-Residential Parking Tax (NRPT)… please come down to register your support: 3:30 pm in House Hearing Room B in the John L. O’Brien Building.

Read more on the Seattle Transit Blog

Saturday, February 6
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Hillman City Collaboratory, 5623 Rainier Ave S. (Route 7 bus)
Optional RSVP on Facebook

You’re invited to a community viewing of The Long Walk Home! This 1990 film depicts two women, black and white, in 1955 Montgomery Alabama, who must decide what to do in response to the famous bus boycott. Doors open at 6:00, the movie starts at 6:30. There will be food! Bring something to share if you’d like. The event is family-friendly and free, though we welcome donations to help cover costs. You can RSVP on Facebook here, and please invite your friends!

*Update* The Seattle Transit Map is printed! Read more and find out how to get one here.

Check out this draft of a fantastic new Seattle Transit Map created by Oran Viriyinci! TRU is collecting feedback on the design so that the map can be improved and printed after the March 2016 service changes. Please submit your comments and suggestions here. If you would like a paper copy to study and comment on, email us at contact@transitriders.org and we may be able to get one to you. (Click on the image to get to the full map.)

The Transit Riders Union is thrilled to announce a big victory in our ongoing Affordable Transit Campaign. The budget approved by the Seattle City Council on November 23 included $1 million to fund transit passes for low-income high school and middle school students. Thank you so much to everyone who worked on this campaign, to the more than 1,000 people who signed our petition, and especially to the courageous students at Rainier Beach High School students who organized a march to City Hall in July and an amazing Town Hall forum last month.

But we’re not done yet. We believe that all youth in Seattle and King County should have year-round access to public transit. Enabling youth to travel freely to school, activities, and jobs will help to close the opportunity gap, break the school-to-prison pipeline, and combat climate change by increasing public transit use. We can win this, but it will require a strong and united community effort to secure cooperation between the city, the county and the school district to get it done. We are seeking students, parents, teachers and community supporters to help us move this project forward. If you are interested, please email us at contact@transitriders.org.

Thank you, everyone who joined us at the Rally to Make Seattle Affordable for All! Here are a few photos (thanks Garet Munger!) and videos of some of the speeches (thanks Elliot Stoller!):

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Monday, October 19
5:30 – 7:00 PM
City Hall Plaza, 600 4th Ave.

Join us at a rally to bring some urgency and purpose to City Hall! Seattle faces an unprecedented crisis of affordability. Rents are rising out of control, tents are pitched on every patch of grass, and working and low-income residents of our city are treading water if not drowning.

Right now, the Seattle City Council is making budget decisions that will affect us all. Voters are preparing to elect a new city council. What happens this fall could shape our city for years to come.

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Metro Fare is a weekly comic based on local bus stories. Got a funny Metro experience you’d like to share? Visit metrofarecomic.com to send it in for a ‘toon up.’

This fall, TRU is campaigning to elect the most progressive city council Seattle has ever seen! We’ve endorsed candidates who we believe will represent us and deliver on issues such as better public transit, affordable housing, police accountability and ending homelessness – rather than acting in the interests of big money. We’re also encouraging a YES vote on the Move Seattle levy. You’re invited to our kick-off party! Come meet & hear from the candidates, talk about the upcoming elections, and sign up to volunteer with TRU if you like. And, there will be cookies! RSVP not necessary, but appreciated – scroll down and fill out the form to let us know you’re coming.

TRU Fall Election Campaign Party
Monday, September 28
7:00 – 10:00 PM
Owl & Thistle Pub
808 Post Ave., Seattle 98104
(Between Marion St. & Columbia St., one block west of 1st Ave, near Pioneer Square)