Transportation will be a hot topic during the upcoming session. A few weeks ago, I asked for your thoughts and opinions about transportation in Washington state.
We received nearly 300 responses! Thank you for your participation!
Below is a small sample of your responses.
Click here for the full data summary.
What is your primary mode of transportation during a typical week?
Walking, augmented by taxi and bus.
I commute regularly by bus, but in terms of miles traveled the car wins.
Over the last few years, how has your experience with your primary mode of transportation changed?
I use the light rail more. Getting through Seattle by car is a nightmare: 1-5, 167. We need to get more regular commuters off the road.
Bikes slow traffic down and cause more green house gases than they reduce.
Frequency and reliability has deteriorated
If funding and service levels are reduced for your primary mode of transportation, what will you do to adjust to those changes?
I am a senior citizen in Magnolia, there are no decent alternative transportation systems even close to my home.
I will have to walk further to/from a bus stop.
If bus funding is cut, then I would have to drive car more.
Do you feel safe riding a bicycle in Seattle?
Bike lanes are not separate from traffic; driving has gotten more aggressive as car commuters are more frustrated by congestion; Ballard has poor mass transit options, so many more drivers as density skyrockets.
Too many hills, as I get older.
I don’t feel safe in traffic with cars. I do ride my bike to work frequently and I am very nervous while I am on city streets, and happy once I am on the Burke Gilman Trail where there are no cars.
Do you feel safe walking around in Seattle?
My yes is qualified — I walk my myself ONLY during daylight hours.
Lousy, lousy, lousy sidewalks.
I avoid downtown Seattle at night, no longer attend evening cultural events there.
Do you currently use rideshare programs, such as Uber and Lyft? If not, what changes would increase your likelihood of using them (such as licensing or requiring these companies to have insurance)?
Need to be licensed… unfair to cabbies right now”
Not cost effective for me.
I would be more likely to use ride share programs if their pricing was stabilized like taxi cab fares are.
The Legislature is currently considering revenue options to invest an additional $10 billion in our aging statewide transportation infrastructure. What would be your top three priorities? (Check your top three choices).
I believe expanding highway capacity for cars, and providing safe pedestrian and bicycle access are also important.
Wide sidewalks, protected from traffic. Like the Fremont Bridge. That’s a good one.
How would you describe the time it takes for you to commute?
I have a short commute, and traffic is rarely a problem.
We choose to live close to work so the commute is not long but going anywhere else by car is too long. We need more road lanes and ways to speed up traffic such as traffic sensing lights.
Frustrating. The uncertainty in funding for transit is frustrating. My routes will be impacted if legislature does not act.
General Comments
Seattle needs to improve its bus rapid transit. It could be first class if we gave it priority over less cost effective projects such as tunnels and light rail.
Seattle is growing and the people moving here are young people who want to walk, ride and use public transport. To encourage growth and a strong and safe urban environment, we need more reliable forms of transit so that people have options and do not restrict their activities or work due to transportation and access issues.
The current trends in transportation are senior unfriendly.
/—/
1) What is your primary mode of transportation during a typical week?
2) Over the last few years, how has your experience with your primary mode of transportation changed?
3) If funding and service levels are reduced for your primary mode of transportation, what will you do to adjust to those changes?
4) Do you feel safe riding a bicycle in Seattle?
5) Do you feel safe walking around in Seattle?
6) Do you currently use rideshare programs, such as Uber and Lyft? If not, what changes would increase your likelihood of using them (such as licensing or requiring these companies to have insurance)?
7) How would you describe the time it takes for you to commute?
