By Sam Smith

Hello Metro riders! My name is Sam Smith, and I’ve been a Metro driver since early 2013. I hear all sorts of questions from passengers, friends, and fellow TRU members on a range of topics related to my job. This column is dedicated to answering some of those questions. Anything you want to know – Why do the poles come off the wires so often? Where do you pick up the bus? – just ask! Send questions to sam@transitriders.org.

Dear Bus Driver Sam,

I’ve heard rumors that Metro drivers go to the bathroom in cups and bottles. Is that true? – Randy, Central District

Thanks for submitting the very first question to this column, Randy! I’m so glad you asked, because I love talking about bathroom breaks for bus drivers. It’s perhaps the most challenging logistical aspect of the job. I could go on a lengthy rant about the difficult labor conditions that recently resulted in Metro being fined by Labor & Industries, but before I jump into the bad and the ugly, allow me to brag about some of the things I love about bus driver bathrooms.

The Good

When I was first hired, I was outfitted with the usual items you may suspect: a collection of uniforms, employee handbook, county ID badge, etc. What stood out most to me was a fairly standard-looking metal house key. At this point, having been through a month of training, I already knew that this key served no purpose in starting a bus engine or entering the Metro base, so what was it for?

“It’s your T-key. T as in Toilet.”

Continue reading →

Who will be affected by the proposed fare increases?
All bus riders will be affected by the proposed fare increases, but the increased fares will be especially burdensome on seniors, riders with disabilities and youth.

How much does Metro want to raise fares by? 

How much money would raising these fares generate? 
These fare increases are expected to generate around $6 million annually.

What impact will raising the youth fare have on students in Seattle? 
Students who live less than 2 miles from school are not eligible for a free ORCA card (subsidized by Seattle Public Schools). They must pay to take the bus, which could cause economic hardship and lead to students missing school on account of not being able to pay to get there and back.

Why does Metro need to raise more revenue? 
The State of Washington has one of the lowest contributions to local transit systems in the nation. That leaves King County Metro scrambling for revenue from local sources (sales taxes) and bus fares.

Metro canceled the proposed cuts to bus lines and service last fall. So why are they now trying to raise fares? 
Metro canceled the bus cuts through a combination of changing Metro’s reserve policy and trusting healthy sales tax projections.

If Metro doesn’t raise these fares, what are alternative forms of raising money? 
King County can put an Employer Head Tax (a very small fee for employers) on the ballot for transit. County­wide, this would raise enough money to reverse the fare hike and even lower the fares! The City of Seattle can also pass an Employer Head Tax for transit and pass a Commercial Parking Tax increase to fund transit.

What impact will raising fares have overall? 
A fare increase of 10% generally results in a ridership reduction of around 3.5%. This means more people driving, causing traffic and contributing to climate change.

Why should I join the Transit Riders Union’s delegation? 
Stand up for affordable transit for all! A strong, affordable transit system will help the region fight climate change, traffic and economic inequality.

* Join the Delegation *

On March 1, San Francisco will make riding the bus FREE for low and moderate income seniors and people with disabilities.  On that same date, King County Metro will RAISE fares for all these riders by 33%.  Standard and youth fares will also go up by $0.25, and Access fares will go up by $0.50.

C’mon King County – we can do better!

The Transit Riders Union won our fight for a low income reduced fare.  Now, we’re going to win affordable transit for all. But we need your help.

This spring, a Delegation of hundreds of transit riders will meet with County Councilmembers to reject fare hikes and demand affordable transit for everyone. Join the Delegation. It’s time for transit riders to stand up and take action.

Sign a Delegate Pledge online

Delegate Pledge – Printable PDF

No Fare Hikes! Flyer – Printable PDF

 Upcoming Delegation Organizing Meetings:

Sat., Feb. 14: 3:30 – 5:30 @ Capitol Hill Public Library Meeting Room, 425 Harvard Ave E.

Sat., Feb. 21: 3:00 – 5:00 @ Casa Latina Training Center, 317 17th Ave S. (enter from 17th)

Sat., Feb. 28: 3:00 – 5:00 @ Casa Latina Training Center, 317 17th Ave S. (enter from 17th)

How much is the reduced fare, and how much does a reduced fare ORCA card cost?

The reduced fare is $1.50 per ride, for any time of day, one-zone or two-zone travel. You can pay per ride, or get a monthly pass for $54. The ORCA LIFT card is free once you qualify and it’s valid for 24 months. If it gets lost or damaged, a replacement costs $5.

How do I qualify?

Your income must be below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (chart below). To show that you are eligible you’ll need to present documentation, such as an award letter for EBT food stamps or SSI, a ProviderOne medical services card, paystubs or tax return. A full list of acceptable documents can be found at www.orcalift.com.

When and where can I get an ORCA LIFT card?

You can order one now and it will be mailed to you starting February 1! Visit https://metro.kingcounty.gov/programsprojects/orca-lift/enrollment-locations.html for a full list of enrollment locations, days and times. When you get your card, it won’t have any value on it yet. You can pay for Epurse value or a monthly pass at an ORCA customer service center (King Street Center, 401 S. Jackson), ticket vending machine, or ORCA retailer.

Can I pay the reduced fare with cash?

Nope, you must have an ORCA LIFT card.

Can I use my ORCA LIFT card on Sound Transit?

Link Light Rail is also introducing a $1.50 low-income reduced fare starting March 1, but Sound Transit buses are not. You can still use your card on ST buses and other services that accept ORCA, but you’ll have to pay the full fare – if you are using the monthly pass, you can make up the difference with E-Purse or cash. Kitsap Transit and the King County Water Taxi also have a low income fare.

Do you Qualify for the new ORCA LIFT Reduced Fare of $1.50?

If your annual income is less than listed in the chart below, you do!

More questions?

They may (or may not) be answered here: www.orcalift.com

The latest issue of the Transit Reader, TRU’s official newsletter, is out! Can you distribute copies on your buses or leave some at your neighborhood coffee shops or library branch? Come out to the free movie this Saturday or another event to pick up your stack, or email contact@transitriders.org and we’ll figure out how to get you some. 

Join the Transit Riders Delegation. Meet with County Councilmembers to reject fare hikes  and demand affordable transit for all!  SIGN A DELEGATE PLEDGE HERE

Take our Fare Enforcement / Transit Police Watchdog Survey. Have you had bad experiences with fare enforcement or transit police?  We want to hear about them.  Good experiences?  We want to hear about them too.  TAKE THE SURVEY HERE

Fruitvale Station Film Night
Saturday, January 31
4:00 – 7:00 PM (movie will start at 4:30)
Hillman City Collaboratory
5623 Rainier Ave S. (Metro Bus Route 7)

Light refreshments provided, please bring something to share if you can.

Don’t miss TRU’s screening of the award-winning film Fruitvale Station! Come watch, discuss, and kick off TRU’s Fare Enforcement watchdog campaign. If you can, bring a potluck dish or snacks to share. Light refreshments will be provided. Contact Randy (randy@transitriders.org) if you have questions or want to get involved.

Fruitvale Station is a 2013 American drama film written and directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Forrest Whitaker. It is based on the events leading to the death of Oscar Grant, a young black man who was unarmed and killed by BART police officer Johannes Mehserle at the Fruitvale BART Station in Oakland, California.

March with TRU at the 33rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Rally and March on Monday, January 19! We’ll have a table set up starting at 9:00 AM, so come by to say hi and attend a workshop.  The rally starts at 10:00, speakers at 11:00, and the march at 12:00.  Look for TRU’s big yellow banner!  We’ll have a new issue of our newsletter the Transit Reader, so make sure to find us and pick up a copy or a bunch.

For more information about the rally and march, visit www.mlkseattle.org.

The following is from TRU’s awesome newsletter, the Transit Reader.  Do you have a question only a bus driver can answer?  Send it to sam@transitriders.org, and maybe it’ll be featured in an upcoming issue!  Also, please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d like some paper copies of the Transit Reader to hand out to fellow riders on your bus. Email contact@transitriders.org or call 206-651-4282.

By Sam Smith

Hello Metro riders! My name is Sam Smith, and I’ve been a Metro driver since early 2013. I hear all sorts of questions from passengers, friends, and fellow TRU members on a range of topics related to my job. This column is going to be dedicated to answering some of those questions. Anything you want to know – Why do the poles come off the wires so often? Where do you use the bathroom? Where do you pick up the bus? – just ask! Send questions to sam@transitriders.org.

Because this is my first column and I don’t have any questions, I’m going to answer a question that I have heard many variations on:  Why did the driver not stop for me?

Continue reading →

Success! On Monday, November 10, the King County Council responded to pressure from TRU and a score of human service organizations whose members or clients rely on the underfunded Reduced Fare Bus Ticket program for their basic transportation needs.

The council unanimously passed legislation sponsored by Councilmembers Dave Upthegrove and Larry Gossett, increasing funding for this program by around 33% in 2015 and subsequent years. You can read Ordinance 2014-0445 here. Some of this new funding will merely compensate for the planned March 2015 fare increase, but most of it will translate to a real gain in the number of tickets available.

Thanks to everyone who joined in this effort!  Our united voices got the job done.

Seattle Transportation Proposition 1 is passing by a wide margin, with nearly 60% in favor! For the first time in years, Seattle will be able to add significant bus service.  This is a victory, but our work is far from done. After years of increasing ridership and service cuts, not to mention increasing fares, Prop 1 is necessary but not enough. Seattle voters have shown our willingness to swallow more regressive taxes to fund our basic infrastructure. Now it’s time for businesses to contribute to the transit system that gets their workers to work and allows the wheels of commerce to turn.

Please use the form below to email City Councilmembers urging them to pass the progressive transit funding measures proposed earlier this year by Councilmembers Sawant and Licata: an Employee Hours Tax on business and a commercial parking fee increase. This revenue can be used to expand Night Owl Service and make much-needed capital improvements to our transit system.  Feel free to edit and personalize the following letter as you wish:

[emailpetition id=”5″]

Join Transit Riders and Drivers for a Halloween picket to say No Bus Cuts, No Fare Hikes, and No Labor Concessions!

The latest issue of the Transit Reader, TRU’s official newsletter, is out! Can you distribute copies on your buses or leave some at your neighborhood coffee shops or library branch? Come out to the march on 10/21 or another event to pick up a stack, or email contact@transitriders.org & we’ll figure out how to get some to you.

On Tuesday, October 21, join TRU for a Prop 1 Get-Out-The-Vote March in downtown Seattle. Meet at 4:00 PM at Westlake Park. We’ll march in a loop around the 3rd Ave corridor and be back at Westlake Park by 5:15 in time for a rally:

RALLY for an Affordable Seattle
Speakers and music start at 5:30 PM
Free Community Meal at 7:00 PM
Overnight sleep-out, mats and blankets provided
Breakfast at 7:00 PM, followed by a march to the Governing Board meeting of the Committee to End Homelessness in King County. Continue reading →

Sound Transit is considering following Metro’s lead in offering a reduced fare for low income riders.  They are considering several options.  Please submit public comment through October 23 and attend their Open House on October 16 and Public Hearing on October 29.  

The Transit Riders Union is pleased that Sound Transit is considering a lower fare for its low income riders. This will make public transit more accessible to thousands of riders. However, we do not believe that this program should be paid for by raising fares for other riders. Continue reading →

On September 29, the King County Council voted to cancel the upcoming bus cuts. They’re banking on optimistic sales tax projections, and taking a gamble by digging further into Metro’s reserve fund. If another recession hits in the next few years we’re in big trouble. But in the meantime, if Prop 1 passes in November, Seattle will be able to not only preserve but expand and improve our bus system. Continue reading →

The Seattle Times came out with an unbelievably misleading editorial about Metro.  Here’s David Goldstein’s take on it.  The Seattle Times editorial board apparently wants to see our public transit system dismantled, and is willing to more or less lie to make it happen.

Sound Transit is considering following Metro’s lead in implementing a Low Income Reduced Fare.  This is great news, and a testament to the power of the Transit Riders Union and all the organizations that campaigned for a low income fare.  However – they’re considering a general fare increase of $0.25 to cover the costs.  Is this necessary?  No – actually, with voter approval, Sound Transit could assess an Employer Tax of $2 per employee.

Sound Transit’s public comment period is open now until October 23.  Please let them know what you think!

The Transit Riders Union will be discussing these and other issues at our Membership Meeting on October 6, 6:30 – 8:30 at the Labor Temple Hall 6.  Join us!

Want to get involved in TRU’s campaign to pass Proposition 1 and expand Seattle’s bus service?  Email contact@transitriders.org.

Printable 8.5 x 11 Poster                                       Printable 1/2 sheet Flyer (2-sided)

Phonebanking and Doorbelling Opportunities

On July 17 the Seattle City Council, acting as the Seattle Transportation Benefit District Governing Board, voted unanimously to place a measure on the November ballot that would preserve most bus service in the city of Seattle and on some intercity routes by means of a 0.1% sales tax increase and a $60 vehicle license fee.

The Transit Riders Union urges a YES vote on Seattle’s ballot measure to save transit. Thousands of Seattle and King County residents depend on Metro buses every day, and we cannot afford to lose our service.

At the same time, this is not a solution. The proposed measure pushes the burden of funding public transit further onto working and poor people, leaves transit riders in the lurch throughout the rest of King County, and contributes to the fragmentation of what should be a unified regional mass transit system. Continue reading →

This month the Seattle City Council, acting as a Transportation Benefit District, will be voting on a proposal to prevent cuts to Seattle’s Metro service. Mayor Murray has proposed “Prop 1 for Seattle” – but whereas the county had no better options, Seattle does. Councilmembers Sawant and Licata are putting forward an amendment to make the Mayor’s proposal more progressive.  The vote may take place as early as this Thursday.

Please come to City Hall council chambers this Thursday to show support for transit and speak out for this amendment – and if you can’t make it, please email the councilmembers.

2:00 PM, Thursday, July 10
Transportation Benefit District Meeting
Seattle City Hall, Council Chambers
600 4th Avenue

Please email and call your elected representatives and urge them to support Sawant and Licata’s proposal to remove the sales tax increase and replace it with a tax on businesses.

Tom Rasmussen               tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov     206-684-8808

Sally Bagshaw                    sally.bagshaw@seattle.gov         206-684-8801

Tim Burgess                        tim.burgess@seattle.gov             206-684-8806

Sally Clark                            sally.clark@seattle.gov                  206-684-8802

Jean Godden                     jean.godden@seattle.gov           206-684-8807

Bruce Harrell                      bruce.harrell@seattle.gov           206-684-8804

Mike O’Brien                     mike.obrien@seattle.gov            206-684-8800

Why Progressive Funding?

Why replace the 0.1% sales tax with an Employee Hours Tax on business and a Commercial Parking Fee increase? Continue reading →