Community transit increases service by five percent in 2022

With their budget approved last week, Community Transit announced plans to increase service by five percent next year along with several other priorities. Here’s a look at CT.

The 2022 Community Transportation Budget details several projects that will have a lasting impact on public transportation by expanding travel options for riders in Snohomish County. The agency’s commitment to provide safe transportation for all is the basis of these plans.

Highlights of the budget include:

• Ensure safe transport is one of the agency’s highest priorities in 2022. A combination of COVID-19 safety measures, including masks, vehicle disinfection and HVAC air filters, help mitigate viruses. This year, bipolar ionization units, a type of air purification technology, will be added to vehicles.
• construction of the Fast Orange line, Community Transit’s third bus rapid transit (BRT) line, will begin in 2022. The Orange Line is scheduled to open in 2024 with service between McCollum Park and Edmonds College, and a direct connection to the light rail at Lynnwood .
• Redesign of the public transport bus network to coincide with light rail links to Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Shoreline in 2024. This creates opportunities for improvements and additions to local Snohomish County bus routes.
• Long-term plan updates to create a vision for transit to 2050. Part of this long-term planning will include a study of zero-emission vehicles and new transportation options beyond regular bus service, including a microtransit test , a flexible on-demand service in Lynnwood.
• Proactively involve the public through surveys, public engagement and customer research programs to ensure that we provide equitable access to services and to help determine where to expand services for passengers and potential passengers.

” Safety is our top priority. This budget ensures that we will do everything possible to provide the safest experience possible for passengers and bus workers. People can count on the cleanliness of our buses thanks to state-of-the-art air purification technology, ”said Ric Ilgenfritz, CEO of Community Transit. “At the same time, we will continue to prepare for the LRT to reach Lynnwood by building a new Fast by innovating with on-demand microtransit and by planning a robust network that improves the mobility of all users.

The 2022 budget foresees a 5% increase in bus service from current levels. Total operating revenues are expected to be $ 263.1 million and total operating expenses are expected to be $ 171.9 million. Revenues include one-time federal government stimulus funds. View the budget at communitytransit.org/budget.

Community Transit is responsible for providing bus and paratransit services, carpooling and other transportation options in Snohomish County. The agency is building a network of Fast fast bus lines with Fast Blue line along Route 99, the Fast Green line between Canyon Park / Bothell and Boeing / Paine Field, and the Fast Orange line to Mill Creek and Lynnwood in 2024.