This is the moment of truth.  Yesterday the King County Council, acting as a newly-formed Transportation Benefit District, voted to put the question to the public on April 22nd:  Should we approve a 0.1% sales tax increase and a $60 Vehicle License Fee, in order to avert massive bus service cuts later this year?  60% of this revenue would go to Metro, with cities receiving the rest.  Ballots will be mailed on April 4th.

The County Council took two actions to mitigate the regressive nature of these taxes.  First, they approved a $20 rebate of the Vehicle License Fee for low-income car owners.  Second, they agreed that if the ballot measure passes, the new low income reduced fare and the youth fare will be set at $1.25 instead of $1.50 for two years.

Should the Transit Riders Union launch a campaign to pass this ballot measure?  This is the question before us at our upcoming Membership Meeting on Monday, March 3.  Do you want a voice and a vote in this crucial decision? Then join the Transit Riders Union and be there on March 3, 6:30 – 8:30 PM at the Labor Temple Hall #6, 2800 1st Avenue.

We did it!  After nearly a year and a half of campaigning for a low income reduced fare, we know it’s going to happen.  On Monday the County Council voted unanimously to create a low income fare program with a reduced fare of $1.50, to go into effect in March 2015.  And, due to pressure from the Transit Riders Union and our allies, the council added an amendment stating that if the April ballot measure passes, the new low income fare and the youth fare will be set at$1.25 instead of $1.50 for two years.

At our February Membership Meeting, TRU members voted to get involved in the fight for a $15 minimum wage in Seattle.  Want to help? You can sign up here, or email @transitriders.org.  Why “Transit Riders for 15“?  Here’s the Resolution in part:

Read more

The County Council is considering the following proposals that would change Metro’s fare structure, starting March 1, 2015.  Councilmembers will be hearing public comment on Tuesday, February 18, starting 1:30 pm in Council Chambers, 10th Floor of the County Courthouse.

1. $0.25 across-the-board fare increase affecting standard and peak fares, youth fares, senior and disabled fares

2. $0.50 ACCESS fare increase

3. A new Reduced Fare program for low income transit riders (up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level), with a reduced fare of $1.50

Come speak your mind! Join TRU members in speaking strongly in support of a low income fare program with a reduced fare of $1.00 or less.  Speak against fare increases, and especially against the $0.50 ACCESS fare increase, which will have a negligible effect on Metro’s revenue while hurting those who depend on public transit the most.

Rally to fund public transit now!  Next Wednesday, Bus Riders and Transit Workers will rally together to stop Metro bus cuts and say no to labor concessions.  We want stable funding for public transit and a fair contract for our hard-working drivers and mechanics.

Rally starts at 4pm
Wednesday, January 29
Westlake Park, 4th and Pine

This rally is sponsored by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587.

Come march with the Transit Riders Union and our allies SHARE, WHEEL, SAFE and Nickelsville in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day March!

Monday, January 20

Rally at 11:00 AM, March at 12:30 PM

Garfield High School Gym, 400 23rd Avenue, Seattle 98122

The Transit Riders Union stands in solidarity with Boeing workers of IAM District 751 in their fight to win a fair contract.

To the Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 751, we are writing to express our solidarity with you in your struggle to secure a fair contract extension from Boeing.

As we all know, Boeing has threatened to transfer production of the 777x plane to a “right to work” state to pressure workers to agree to a contract extension that would slash slash pension benefits, drive up the cost of healthcare, and reduce cost-of-living adjustment to just 1 percent every other year.

Mark your calendar!  On Thursday, January 16, TRU will be collaborating with Seattle Central Community College and other groups to hold a public forum on the planned Metro cuts, the public transit funding crisis, and what we can do about it.  Facebook page here.

What: Community Forum on Metro Cuts and the Transit Funding Crisis

When: Thursday, January 16, 12:00 – 2:00 pm or 4:00 – 6:00 pm (there are two sessions to accommodate students’ class schedules; both are open to the public)

Where: Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway Avenue (between Howell and Pine St., served by Metro routes 8, 9x, 10, 11, 43, 49, 60)

Who: YOU!  This event is open to the public and all are invited. There will be a panel of speakers followed by questions, discussion and a call to action!

Our brothers and sisters in ATU Local 587 will vote on December 19 whether to ratify a new contract.  The Transit Riders Union believes that our Metro drivers and all transit workers deserve a fair contract, and we extend the following statement of solidarity:

• The Transit Riders Union believes that the burden of Metro’s financial crisis should not fall on ATU 587 King County Transit Workers. The solution to this crisis is new progressive funding for transit, not cutting service and raising fares or eroding ATU 587 King County Transit Workers standard of living and working conditions.

Read more

Transit Riders Union Members were interviewed on Mind Over Matters on Saturday, November 30. It’s a good summary of the history of Metro’s financial troubles and the current political situation. You can listen to the program here: