OLYMPIA – Today, House Bill 1842, a bill to improve the efficiency and coordination of transit in and around the Puget Sound region passed out of the legislature with unanimous support. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Jessyn Farrell, D-Seattle, Vice Chair of the House Transportation Committee.
The Puget Sound region is expected to add a million new residents between now and 2040. As the region grows, the demand on the transit agencies in the region will also increase. This bill will improve the coordination between agencies, saving tax dollars, and ensuring an integrated transit system that will be able to serve the growing number of riders.
“Our region is already experiencing some of the worst traffic in the country,” said Farrell. “With the expected growth in the next few decades, transit coordination is absolutely essential. A robust transit system is good for our communities, good for our economy and good for the environment.”
By gathering information from transit agencies and encouraging collaboration through grant programs, this bill will help the region’s transit agencies work together to find ways to save tax dollars while also providing accountability measures, and more efficient services. The agencies will be able to integrate administrative and technology projects. Transit riders will also get a better user experience with improvements like more accessible schedules and easier transfers between agencies.
“For years we have recognized the need for a coordinated and well-planned transit system in the Puget Sound region,” said Farrell. “This bill provides the information and incentives needed to actually put these goals into action.”