1 00:00:10,220 --> 00:00:11,130 Good afternoon. 2 00:00:11,130 --> 00:00:11,974 Hi, everybody. 3 00:00:11,974 --> 00:00:12,948 I'm Angela Brady. 4 00:00:12,948 --> 00:00:15,028 I'm the acting director of the Seattle 5 00:00:15,028 --> 00:00:16,785 Department of Transportation. 6 00:00:16,785 --> 00:00:17,890 Welcome, everyone. 7 00:00:17,890 --> 00:00:19,515 We're here today to talk about 8 00:00:19,515 --> 00:00:21,140 the Seattle Transit Measure. 9 00:00:21,140 --> 00:00:24,486 Thank you all for coming as the City of Seattle works together 10 00:00:24,486 --> 00:00:27,233 toward renewing our Seattle Transit measure by 11 00:00:27,233 --> 00:00:28,920 working with City Council. 12 00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:31,364 And I want to start by introducing Mayor Katie 13 00:00:31,364 --> 00:00:33,679 Wilson to share her vision for this measure 14 00:00:33,679 --> 00:00:35,460 and for growing transit. 15 00:00:35,460 --> 00:00:35,899 Welcome Mayor. 16 00:00:42,079 --> 00:00:42,478 Okay. 17 00:00:43,939 --> 00:00:45,960 Thank you, Acting Director Brady. 18 00:00:45,960 --> 00:00:47,298 Very excited to be here. 19 00:00:47,298 --> 00:00:48,240 Good afternoon, everyone. 20 00:00:49,380 --> 00:00:50,978 Thank you all for joining us. 21 00:00:50,978 --> 00:00:55,280 Today is an exciting day for Seattle because we are taking 22 00:00:55,280 --> 00:00:58,340 an important step toward renewing and expanding one 23 00:00:58,340 --> 00:01:01,298 of the most effective tools we have to improve our 24 00:01:01,298 --> 00:01:04,319 transit service, make our city more affordable 25 00:01:04,319 --> 00:01:07,373 and build the kind of world class transit system 26 00:01:07,373 --> 00:01:08,900 that Seattle deserves. 27 00:01:08,900 --> 00:01:11,268 Today, I am transmitting legislation to the 28 00:01:11,268 --> 00:01:13,950 Seattle City Council Council to renew the 29 00:01:13,950 --> 00:01:17,730 Seattle Transit measure and put it before Seattle 30 00:01:17,730 --> 00:01:19,438 voters this November. 31 00:01:19,438 --> 00:01:22,260 I want to thank Council President Hollingsworth, 32 00:01:22,260 --> 00:01:24,879 Transportation Committee Chair Saka, and all 33 00:01:24,879 --> 00:01:26,519 the members of the City Council. 34 00:01:26,519 --> 00:01:28,938 I look forward to working closely with them in 35 00:01:28,938 --> 00:01:31,420 the coming weeks as they review this proposal, 36 00:01:31,420 --> 00:01:34,480 ask questions, and help shape our path forward. 37 00:01:34,480 --> 00:01:36,980 I also want to thank our partners at King County 38 00:01:36,980 --> 00:01:39,739 Metro, the Seattle Department of Transportation, 39 00:01:39,739 --> 00:01:42,757 the City Budget Office, and all of the staff in my office who 40 00:01:42,757 --> 00:01:45,831 have worked through the details to build a proposal that 41 00:01:45,831 --> 00:01:48,587 is ambitious, responsible, and focused on the 42 00:01:48,587 --> 00:01:51,239 people who need transit the most. 43 00:01:51,239 --> 00:01:53,930 And I want to especially recognize the riders, 44 00:01:53,930 --> 00:01:56,620 the advocates, the community organizations, 45 00:01:56,620 --> 00:02:00,197 labor partners, and neighborhood leaders who have fought for 46 00:02:00,197 --> 00:02:04,028 years to make transit better, more reliable, more affordable, 47 00:02:04,028 --> 00:02:06,060 and more accessible in Seattle. 48 00:02:06,060 --> 00:02:09,407 I want to thank the Seattle Transit Advisory Board, the 49 00:02:09,407 --> 00:02:12,782 Transit Equity Work Group, ATU 587, which represents 50 00:02:12,782 --> 00:02:16,657 our hardworking operators and mechanics, Transportation 51 00:02:16,657 --> 00:02:19,574 Transportation Choices Coalition, the Transit 52 00:02:19,574 --> 00:02:22,419 Riders Union, and dozens of other stakeholders 53 00:02:22,419 --> 00:02:26,280 who we have worked closely with in crafting this measure. 54 00:02:27,620 --> 00:02:30,163 This measure exists because people organized, 55 00:02:30,163 --> 00:02:32,520 spoke up, showed up, and kept insisting that 56 00:02:32,520 --> 00:02:36,360 transit is essential to a fair and affordable city. 57 00:02:36,360 --> 00:02:37,538 That is personal for me. 58 00:02:37,538 --> 00:02:39,955 As you probably know, before I was mayor, I helped to 59 00:02:39,955 --> 00:02:42,854 found the Transit Riders Union because riders needed a 60 00:02:42,854 --> 00:02:46,437 stronger voice in the decisions that shape our daily lives. 61 00:02:46,437 --> 00:02:48,967 We fought for better service, lower fares, and 62 00:02:48,967 --> 00:02:51,842 a transit system that works not only for traditional 63 00:02:51,842 --> 00:02:54,741 commuters, but for the workers, students, seniors, 64 00:02:54,741 --> 00:02:57,246 parents, and neighbors whose lives depend 65 00:02:57,246 --> 00:02:58,580 on transit every day. 66 00:02:58,580 --> 00:03:01,348 That is the history behind today's proposal, and it's 67 00:03:01,348 --> 00:03:02,639 why this moment matters. 68 00:03:02,639 --> 00:03:06,080 For many people in this city, transit is not a backup plan. 69 00:03:06,080 --> 00:03:08,955 It is how they get to work, how they get to school, 70 00:03:08,955 --> 00:03:12,264 to childcare, to medical appointments, to the grocery 71 00:03:12,264 --> 00:03:13,919 store, and back home again. 72 00:03:13,919 --> 00:03:17,014 It is the nurse heading to Harborview for an early shift, 73 00:03:17,014 --> 00:03:20,240 the server getting home from the junction after last call, 74 00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:23,000 the student taking the bus to Ballard High School, 75 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:25,943 the parent on Beacon Hill headed to daycare and 76 00:03:25,943 --> 00:03:28,770 work with child in tow, the senior in the Chinatown 77 00:03:28,770 --> 00:03:32,217 International District getting to an appointment independently, 78 00:03:32,217 --> 00:03:35,199 and the airport worker in Rainier Beach connecting 79 00:03:35,199 --> 00:03:36,240 to the light rail. 80 00:03:36,240 --> 00:03:38,780 These are the trips that make our city work. 81 00:03:38,780 --> 00:03:42,180 And when transit is frequent, reliable, and affordable, 82 00:03:42,180 --> 00:03:45,400 it does more than move people from one place to another. 83 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:47,000 It gives people freedom. 84 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:49,080 It gives families choices. 85 00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:51,460 It helps workers reach opportunity. 86 00:03:51,460 --> 00:03:53,877 And it helps students to build their future. 87 00:03:53,877 --> 00:03:55,900 It helps seniors stay independent. 88 00:03:55,900 --> 00:03:58,919 And it helps more people stay in the city they love. 89 00:04:00,657 --> 00:04:02,937 That is why better transit is also an 90 00:04:02,937 --> 00:04:05,000 affordability strategy. 91 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:07,280 Transportation is one of the biggest costs in a 92 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:08,258 household budget. 93 00:04:08,258 --> 00:04:11,280 And most of that cost comes from owning a car. 94 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:15,334 Gas, insurance, repairs, parking, monthly payments, and 95 00:04:15,334 --> 00:04:17,319 maintenance all add up fast. 96 00:04:17,319 --> 00:04:19,814 So when we make our transit system better, we make it 97 00:04:19,814 --> 00:04:23,259 possible for more households to live car-free or car-light. 98 00:04:23,259 --> 00:04:26,108 And that could put hundreds or thousands of dollars 99 00:04:26,108 --> 00:04:27,699 back into a family's budget. 100 00:04:27,699 --> 00:04:30,040 That is real affordability. 101 00:04:30,040 --> 00:04:31,699 And we also need to be honest. 102 00:04:31,699 --> 00:04:34,560 A sales tax is a far from perfect tool. 103 00:04:34,560 --> 00:04:36,733 It is not the funding system that I would 104 00:04:36,733 --> 00:04:37,920 design from scratch. 105 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:40,442 But under state law, cities are limited in how we 106 00:04:40,442 --> 00:04:42,838 fund our transportation benefit districts. 107 00:04:42,838 --> 00:04:45,831 And if we do not use the tools available to us now, 108 00:04:45,831 --> 00:04:49,420 the result is less transit service and fewer free passes. 109 00:04:49,420 --> 00:04:52,740 That would hurt the people who rely on transit the most. 110 00:04:52,740 --> 00:04:55,785 So this proposal uses the tools we have and directs the 111 00:04:55,785 --> 00:04:57,680 benefits where they matter most. 112 00:04:57,680 --> 00:05:00,632 more service for everyone, more access, and more 113 00:05:00,632 --> 00:05:03,800 support for the people who depend on public transit. 114 00:05:03,800 --> 00:05:06,244 This is how we build the transit-rich city that 115 00:05:06,244 --> 00:05:08,939 Seattle has been working towards for generations, 116 00:05:08,939 --> 00:05:11,389 a city where buses are frequent enough that 117 00:05:11,389 --> 00:05:14,735 people can count on them, a city where light rail, buses, 118 00:05:14,735 --> 00:05:18,271 streetcars, walking, biking, and rolling work together 119 00:05:18,271 --> 00:05:21,290 as one connected system, a city where transit connects 120 00:05:21,290 --> 00:05:24,120 people to opportunity, strengthens our neighborhoods, 121 00:05:24,120 --> 00:05:27,899 supports our economy, and makes daily life a little easier. 122 00:05:27,899 --> 00:05:30,596 And most of all, a city where owning a car is a 123 00:05:30,596 --> 00:05:32,319 choice, not a requirement. 124 00:05:33,899 --> 00:05:37,160 That is what a world-class transit looks like, and that 125 00:05:37,160 --> 00:05:38,720 is what Seattle deserves. 126 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:41,199 Today is a milestone, and it's also a beginning. 127 00:05:41,199 --> 00:05:43,629 I am excited to send this proposal to the 128 00:05:43,629 --> 00:05:46,136 City Council today, and I look forward to working 129 00:05:46,136 --> 00:05:48,439 with Council President Hollingsworth, Chair Saka, 130 00:05:48,439 --> 00:05:51,040 and the full council to move it forward. 131 00:05:51,040 --> 00:05:54,182 And ultimately, I look forward to giving Seattle voters 132 00:05:54,182 --> 00:05:57,629 the opportunity this November to decide whether we continue 133 00:05:57,629 --> 00:06:01,259 building the transit system our city needs for the next decade. 134 00:06:01,259 --> 00:06:01,600 Thank you. 135 00:06:04,639 --> 00:06:10,519 I'm back. 136 00:06:10,519 --> 00:06:14,108 I want to thank Mayor Wilson for her leadership and our partners 137 00:06:14,108 --> 00:06:17,427 at King County Metro for their continued collaboration on 138 00:06:17,427 --> 00:06:19,120 the Seattle Transit Measure. 139 00:06:19,120 --> 00:06:22,290 I also want to recognize SDOT staff, City Budget Office, 140 00:06:22,290 --> 00:06:25,055 and the Mayor's Office staff who worked together 141 00:06:25,055 --> 00:06:26,540 to develop this proposal. 142 00:06:26,540 --> 00:06:28,680 I'd like to thank a few members of my team. 143 00:06:28,680 --> 00:06:30,160 They're standing right over here. 144 00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:34,399 Thank you so much, Jen, Mally Crawford, Anna Trevino, Candida, 145 00:06:34,399 --> 00:06:38,750 Lorenzana, Megan Hoyt, Matt Yarrow, Carolyn Birkenfeld, 146 00:06:38,750 --> 00:06:41,278 Kyle Butler, and Lilia Schicu. 147 00:06:43,100 --> 00:06:45,899 Okay, let's try it again. 148 00:06:45,899 --> 00:06:47,485 So thank you so much, you guys, for all of 149 00:06:47,485 --> 00:06:48,399 your hard work on this. 150 00:06:53,579 --> 00:06:57,100 A measure like this takes careful professional work. 151 00:06:57,100 --> 00:07:00,968 It requires strong data, sound financial planning, close 152 00:07:00,968 --> 00:07:04,742 coordination with our partners, and a clear understanding 153 00:07:04,742 --> 00:07:07,939 of how people actually move around Seattle every day. 154 00:07:07,939 --> 00:07:11,752 At SDOT, our role is to help turn these investments into 155 00:07:11,752 --> 00:07:15,189 real service, real access, and real improvements for the 156 00:07:15,189 --> 00:07:16,600 people who rely on transit. 157 00:07:18,540 --> 00:07:21,019 At SDOT, that means administering these 158 00:07:21,019 --> 00:07:22,259 funds responsibly. 159 00:07:22,259 --> 00:07:25,519 It means working with Metro on transit service priorities. 160 00:07:25,519 --> 00:07:29,875 It means making sure that free ORCA passes reach the people 161 00:07:29,875 --> 00:07:31,920 they are intended to serve. 162 00:07:31,920 --> 00:07:34,951 It means investing in practical street improvements 163 00:07:34,951 --> 00:07:37,579 that help buses move more safely and reliably. 164 00:07:37,579 --> 00:07:41,071 and it means tracking results so that we can continue 165 00:07:41,071 --> 00:07:42,500 to improve over time. 166 00:07:42,500 --> 00:07:47,800 Today's proposal is for a 0.3% sales tax over ten years. 167 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:51,389 This will raise $138 million per year on average over 168 00:07:51,389 --> 00:07:53,019 the life of the measure. 169 00:07:55,300 --> 00:07:57,319 The Seattle transit measure has been one of the city's 170 00:07:57,319 --> 00:07:59,838 most important tools for strengthening transit. 171 00:07:59,838 --> 00:08:03,187 It helps us buy additional Metro service like extra 172 00:08:03,187 --> 00:08:05,870 trips coming to the route 8 Later this year to 173 00:08:05,870 --> 00:08:08,459 make bus service more frequent seven days a week 174 00:08:08,459 --> 00:08:11,220 It also supports Seattle streetcar operations 175 00:08:11,220 --> 00:08:14,526 Provides free ORCA passes to people who need them and make 176 00:08:14,526 --> 00:08:18,040 targeted improvements at the places where buses get delayed 177 00:08:18,040 --> 00:08:21,146 This renewal proposal builds on that foundation. 178 00:08:21,146 --> 00:08:24,713 It would fund 280,000 metro bus trips each and 179 00:08:24,713 --> 00:08:25,735 every year. 180 00:08:25,735 --> 00:08:29,920 That's a hundred thousand more trips than today. 181 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:32,504 That means more service at the times when people 182 00:08:32,504 --> 00:08:35,158 need it, not just during the traditional commute 183 00:08:35,158 --> 00:08:37,807 hours. It means better midday, evening, overnight, 184 00:08:37,807 --> 00:08:38,894 and weekend service. 185 00:08:38,894 --> 00:08:40,399 That matters because Seattle 186 00:08:40,399 --> 00:08:42,960 Seattle is not a 9 to 5 city. 187 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:45,423 People are traveling to jobs, schools, medical 188 00:08:45,423 --> 00:08:48,259 appointments, childcare, grocery stores, community 189 00:08:48,259 --> 00:08:50,864 events and family responsibilities during 190 00:08:50,864 --> 00:08:52,057 all times of the day. 191 00:08:52,057 --> 00:08:55,899 A strong transit system has to work for all of those trips. 192 00:08:55,899 --> 00:08:59,493 This proposal more than doubles the number of free transit 193 00:08:59,493 --> 00:09:00,960 passes that we give out. 194 00:09:00,960 --> 00:09:05,461 It will fund 22,000 free ORCA cards for people who participate 195 00:09:05,461 --> 00:09:09,768 in Seattle Housing Authority's rental assistance programs, 196 00:09:09,768 --> 00:09:12,524 low-income Seattle preschool families, 197 00:09:12,524 --> 00:09:14,700 and the Seattle Promise Scholars. 198 00:09:16,620 --> 00:09:19,700 This is a practical affordability investment. 199 00:09:19,700 --> 00:09:22,125 When people have reliable transit and a pass 200 00:09:22,125 --> 00:09:24,418 in their pocket, they have more freedom to 201 00:09:24,418 --> 00:09:26,216 get where they need to go without the cost 202 00:09:26,216 --> 00:09:28,278 of owning, maintaining, fueling, and parking 203 00:09:28,278 --> 00:09:31,639 your car that is central to Seattle's transportation 204 00:09:31,639 --> 00:09:34,700 vision we are building a city where car ownership 205 00:09:34,700 --> 00:09:37,701 is a choice not a requirement that means better bus service 206 00:09:37,701 --> 00:09:40,629 better connections to light rail better access to job 207 00:09:40,629 --> 00:09:43,413 opportunities and for SDOT that is this is also 208 00:09:43,413 --> 00:09:44,840 about good stewardship 209 00:09:45,879 --> 00:09:48,653 Seattle voters have consistently supported the Seattle 210 00:09:48,653 --> 00:09:51,625 transit measure over the years because they have seen 211 00:09:51,625 --> 00:09:55,019 the city use these funds carefully and effectively. 212 00:09:55,019 --> 00:09:57,532 We are focused on making investments where they 213 00:09:57,532 --> 00:10:00,028 can make the biggest difference, especially in 214 00:10:00,028 --> 00:10:02,759 neighborhoods where people rely on transit the most 215 00:10:02,759 --> 00:10:06,451 and in places where Seattle is planning for an increase 216 00:10:06,451 --> 00:10:07,658 in homes and jobs. 217 00:10:07,658 --> 00:10:09,551 I want to also recognize that 218 00:10:09,551 --> 00:10:13,158 transit service is only as strong as the streets it runs 219 00:10:13,158 --> 00:10:16,778 That is why SDOT's work on transit priority, bus 220 00:10:16,778 --> 00:10:21,306 stop improvements, signal upgrades, and targeted capital 221 00:10:21,306 --> 00:10:23,658 projects are so, so important. 222 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:28,471 These are practical, behind-the-scenes improvements, 223 00:10:28,471 --> 00:10:31,437 but for riders, they can mean a bus that comes more 224 00:10:31,437 --> 00:10:34,836 often, a connection that is safer, a trip that feels more 225 00:10:34,836 --> 00:10:38,019 reliable, or a commute that no longer requires a car. 226 00:10:38,019 --> 00:10:41,557 This is all what's so exciting about the mayor's proposal 227 00:10:41,557 --> 00:10:45,100 today. Yes, it's ambitious, but it is also very grounded. 228 00:10:45,100 --> 00:10:48,849 It is about more trips, better service, broader access, 229 00:10:48,849 --> 00:10:52,278 and the day-to-day details that make transit work. 230 00:10:52,278 --> 00:10:55,096 I'm proud of the SDOT team and our metro partners for the 231 00:10:55,096 --> 00:10:58,158 professionalism and the care that went into this proposal. 232 00:10:58,158 --> 00:11:00,759 You all have been working on this for a long, long time. 233 00:11:00,759 --> 00:11:03,278 And I'm grateful for the opportunity to deliver to 234 00:11:03,278 --> 00:11:05,571 deliver a transit system that supports a more 235 00:11:05,571 --> 00:11:08,057 affordable, connected and accessible Seattle. 236 00:11:08,057 --> 00:11:08,918 Thank you so much. 237 00:11:08,918 --> 00:11:11,240 And now I'd like to introduce our next speakers. 238 00:11:12,340 --> 00:11:14,557 City depends on community members and volunteers 239 00:11:14,557 --> 00:11:16,643 to serve on our numerous advisory boards, and 240 00:11:16,643 --> 00:11:17,519 I'm really happy to 241 00:11:18,798 --> 00:11:20,940 introduce Ashwin and Zach. 242 00:11:20,940 --> 00:11:22,200 Why don't you come on up? 243 00:11:22,200 --> 00:11:23,480 Thank you. 244 00:11:23,480 --> 00:11:29,360 Thank you, Director Brady. 245 00:11:29,360 --> 00:11:30,340 Hi, everybody. 246 00:11:30,340 --> 00:11:31,080 I'm Ashton Humble. 247 00:11:31,080 --> 00:11:33,677 I'm one of the co-chairs of the Transit Advisory Board. 248 00:11:35,120 --> 00:11:35,538 Hi, everybody. 249 00:11:35,538 --> 00:11:36,538 My name is Zach. 250 00:11:36,538 --> 00:11:39,219 I'm also one of the co-chairs on the Transit Advisory Board. 251 00:11:41,320 --> 00:11:43,100 And TAB for short, because that's kind of what 252 00:11:43,100 --> 00:11:43,899 I wrote in my speech. 253 00:11:43,899 --> 00:11:47,740 So we are a volunteer board made up of transit riders like us 254 00:11:47,740 --> 00:11:50,120 that serves as the public oversight committee 255 00:11:50,120 --> 00:11:53,899 over the use of Seattle transit measure funds. 256 00:11:53,899 --> 00:11:58,019 As we all know, in 2020, Seattle voters approved the STM 257 00:11:58,019 --> 00:12:01,840 with overwhelming support, 80% of the vote, 258 00:12:01,840 --> 00:12:04,158 hoping to expand the largest service 259 00:12:04,158 --> 00:12:07,120 tens of thousands of people rely on every single day. 260 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:10,416 And over the lifetime of the current STM measure, the 261 00:12:10,416 --> 00:12:13,413 TAB has received detailed reports and examined 262 00:12:13,413 --> 00:12:16,557 closely how every dollar of the STM has been spent. 263 00:12:16,557 --> 00:12:19,668 In our estimation, the measure has delivered on 264 00:12:19,668 --> 00:12:21,379 these promises to voters. 265 00:12:21,379 --> 00:12:25,470 This is a measure that has kept essential services afloat 266 00:12:25,470 --> 00:12:29,220 amidst the pandemic and a severe economic downturn. 267 00:12:29,220 --> 00:12:31,980 the STM was needed and it delivered. 268 00:12:31,980 --> 00:12:34,466 It has made tangible, immediate 269 00:12:34,466 --> 00:12:38,268 differences in people's daily lives, but it's not enough 270 00:12:38,268 --> 00:12:40,250 just to attempt to preserve service. 271 00:12:40,250 --> 00:12:41,340 We need to expand it. 272 00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:45,363 With this in mind, we are thrilled with the 273 00:12:45,363 --> 00:12:47,960 mayor's renewal proposal, and we wholeheartedly 274 00:12:47,960 --> 00:12:50,153 endorse this proposal which is focused on the 275 00:12:50,153 --> 00:12:52,580 reason the original STM passed with such historic 276 00:12:52,580 --> 00:12:55,600 member numbers simply put it makes transit in 277 00:12:55,600 --> 00:12:59,259 this city better better frequency better reliability 278 00:12:59,259 --> 00:13:02,836 better access better options as the oversight board for these 279 00:13:02,836 --> 00:13:05,461 funds our highest priority is ensuring that the money 280 00:13:05,461 --> 00:13:07,879 people are putting into this measure aligns with that intent 281 00:13:07,879 --> 00:13:10,975 tent and is put to their benefit, we want to see 282 00:13:10,975 --> 00:13:13,177 immediate meaningful returns. 283 00:13:13,177 --> 00:13:15,908 This renewal is an opportunity to deliver that 284 00:13:15,908 --> 00:13:16,913 immediate impact. 285 00:13:16,913 --> 00:13:18,423 A bus that runs on the weekend 286 00:13:18,423 --> 00:13:20,596 when it didn't before, that maintains its 287 00:13:20,596 --> 00:13:23,038 frequency after commuting hours, a subsidized 288 00:13:23,038 --> 00:13:25,778 ORCA card putting money back in the pocket of those who 289 00:13:25,778 --> 00:13:28,700 need it most and allowing them to get where they need to go. 290 00:13:28,700 --> 00:13:31,263 These are the returns that we want to see and 291 00:13:31,263 --> 00:13:34,038 this is the service that Seattleites deserve. 292 00:13:34,038 --> 00:13:37,288 These plans that we have, the Seattle Transportation Plan, the 293 00:13:37,288 --> 00:13:40,413 Frequent Transit Network, these don't have to be just words, 294 00:13:40,413 --> 00:13:43,480 just aspirations or things that never make it off the paper. 295 00:13:43,480 --> 00:13:45,839 These are things that we can fulfill, these are 296 00:13:45,839 --> 00:13:48,320 things that we can build, and we can do so quickly. 297 00:13:48,320 --> 00:13:50,870 We have the opportunity to do so now and build a city 298 00:13:50,870 --> 00:13:53,484 that is sustainable and that everyone can afford to 299 00:13:53,484 --> 00:13:56,399 navigate, and we believe that this proposal will do that. 300 00:13:56,399 --> 00:13:58,096 Thank you so much to the Mayor's office and 301 00:13:58,096 --> 00:13:59,019 SDOT for proposing it. 302 00:14:05,580 --> 00:14:09,581 I'd now like to introduce Paul Neal, the financial secretary of 303 00:14:09,581 --> 00:14:11,620 the Amalgamated Transit Union. 304 00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:17,120 Good afternoon, everybody. 305 00:14:17,120 --> 00:14:18,080 Am I speaking? 306 00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:18,500 Okay, good. 307 00:14:19,557 --> 00:14:23,504 ATU Local 587 fully supports the Seattle Transit 308 00:14:23,504 --> 00:14:27,168 Measure Renewal Proposal, and we'd like to thank Mayor 309 00:14:27,168 --> 00:14:30,197 Wilson for her leadership and bold vision in proposing to 310 00:14:30,197 --> 00:14:33,302 double the current funding rate to meet the public's 311 00:14:33,302 --> 00:14:36,860 demand for more public service and transit safety. 312 00:14:36,860 --> 00:14:39,572 ATU also thanks the people of Seattle and the 313 00:14:39,572 --> 00:14:42,740 Seattle City Council for their long, unwavering, 314 00:14:42,740 --> 00:14:45,220 and passionate support of public transit. 315 00:14:45,220 --> 00:14:47,341 Now more than ever, there is a critical need to 316 00:14:47,341 --> 00:14:48,456 expand public transit. 317 00:14:50,019 --> 00:14:53,471 The rising price of gas and the continuing population growth 318 00:14:53,471 --> 00:14:56,618 in Seattle of almost 1,000 people per month is placing 319 00:14:56,618 --> 00:14:59,720 more demands on our public transportation system. 320 00:14:59,720 --> 00:15:02,892 This investment is critical to the people of Seattle being 321 00:15:02,892 --> 00:15:06,259 able to exercise their right to transportation, whether it be 322 00:15:06,259 --> 00:15:09,561 to get to work, school, medical services, the grocery store, 323 00:15:09,561 --> 00:15:11,177 or the regional rail network. 324 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:16,399 The increasing density of the city needs a robust 325 00:15:16,399 --> 00:15:18,639 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. 326 00:15:18,639 --> 00:15:21,841 This levy will fund the Seattle streetcar which is absolutely 327 00:15:21,841 --> 00:15:24,923 Essential to the functioning of the high density South 328 00:15:24,923 --> 00:15:27,567 Lake Union and First Hill neighborhoods as 329 00:15:27,567 --> 00:15:30,440 WELL AS PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TRIPS PER YEAR. 330 00:15:30,440 --> 00:15:33,494 This funding will also be used to pay for targeted construction 331 00:15:33,494 --> 00:15:36,302 PROJECTS TO REDUCE TRANSIT delays at pinch points and 332 00:15:36,302 --> 00:15:38,798 build other improvements around bus stops. 333 00:15:39,940 --> 00:15:42,244 ATU urges the Seattle City Council and the 334 00:15:42,244 --> 00:15:44,677 people of Seattle to support the renewal and 335 00:15:44,677 --> 00:15:47,649 expansion of the Seattle Transit Measure. 336 00:15:47,649 --> 00:15:51,278 I'd like to introduce Katie from the Transportation 337 00:15:51,278 --> 00:15:52,399 Choices Coalition. 338 00:15:57,840 --> 00:16:01,080 Katie Ricciuto: Good afternoon, everybody. 339 00:16:01,080 --> 00:16:04,379 For those of you who don't know, June is Ride Transit Month. 340 00:16:04,379 --> 00:16:05,759 So happy Ride Transit Month. 341 00:16:06,778 --> 00:16:11,980 Katie Ricciuto: What a perfect way to kick it off. 342 00:16:11,980 --> 00:16:13,139 My name is Katie Ricciuto. 343 00:16:13,139 --> 00:16:15,469 I'm the policy director for Transportation 344 00:16:15,469 --> 00:16:16,538 Choices Coalition. 345 00:16:16,538 --> 00:16:20,417 For over 30 years, TCC has been organizing, advocating 346 00:16:20,417 --> 00:16:23,620 for, and helping fund transit across Seattle 347 00:16:23,620 --> 00:16:26,442 because we believe how a city moves says a 348 00:16:26,442 --> 00:16:27,940 lot about its values. 349 00:16:27,940 --> 00:16:30,379 I'm going to tell you a little bit about how I've moved 350 00:16:30,379 --> 00:16:31,600 around the city recently. 351 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:34,557 This past weekend, I took the bus to the light rail 352 00:16:34,557 --> 00:16:35,860 to get to the airport. 353 00:16:35,860 --> 00:16:39,244 This morning I took the RapidRide G to get to work, but 354 00:16:39,244 --> 00:16:42,859 every once in a while I'll take the route 2 if it's faster. 355 00:16:42,860 --> 00:16:45,139 Maybe I'll take route 3 or 4 home. 356 00:16:45,139 --> 00:16:48,024 And after this, I am taking RapidRide E up 357 00:16:48,024 --> 00:16:51,418 to an event that TCC is holding on Aurora Avenue. 358 00:16:51,418 --> 00:16:53,139 And when I went to a Mariners game a few weeks 359 00:16:53,139 --> 00:16:54,239 back, I took the streetcar. 360 00:16:55,399 --> 00:16:58,067 If you had told me as a kid I would be standing 361 00:16:58,067 --> 00:17:00,739 up here nerding out on my transit commutes, 362 00:17:00,740 --> 00:17:02,440 I would not have believed you. 363 00:17:03,620 --> 00:17:06,298 Because we didn't have great transit where I grew up. 364 00:17:06,298 --> 00:17:09,615 So I think Seattle's values are pretty clear. 365 00:17:09,616 --> 00:17:12,420 We love investing in transit. 366 00:17:12,420 --> 00:17:15,660 In 2020, voters passed the Seattle transit measure because 367 00:17:15,660 --> 00:17:17,278 they wanted more bus service. 368 00:17:17,278 --> 00:17:21,038 In 2024, they passed the transportation levy to fund 369 00:17:21,038 --> 00:17:24,538 better transit stops and safer walks to transit. 370 00:17:24,538 --> 00:17:28,038 They've passed funding for light rail more than once. 371 00:17:28,038 --> 00:17:30,355 Transportation Choices Coalition has been proud 372 00:17:30,355 --> 00:17:32,616 to help lead the campaigns to fund those efforts, 373 00:17:32,617 --> 00:17:36,278 and we are here today because Seattle is about to do it again. 374 00:17:36,278 --> 00:17:39,278 For a lot of people in this city, transit isn't optional. 375 00:17:39,278 --> 00:17:42,077 It's an essential part of daily life. 376 00:17:42,077 --> 00:17:46,720 As the mayor said, owning a car in Washington state costs a lot, 377 00:17:46,720 --> 00:17:49,038 over $12,000 a year on average. 378 00:17:49,038 --> 00:17:51,278 So when we talk about affordability in this 379 00:17:51,278 --> 00:17:53,577 city, we have to talk about transportation, 380 00:17:53,577 --> 00:17:57,113 because I think one of the most progressive things we can do is 381 00:17:57,113 --> 00:18:00,298 make it easier to live without a car or with one less car. 382 00:18:01,617 --> 00:18:04,634 Every time Seattle voters have been asked whether 383 00:18:04,634 --> 00:18:07,439 they want to invest in that, they have said yes. 384 00:18:07,440 --> 00:18:11,597 That shows that Seattleites believe reliable transit should 385 00:18:11,597 --> 00:18:13,357 be available to everyone. 386 00:18:13,357 --> 00:18:15,568 I think the details of the Seattle transit measure 387 00:18:15,568 --> 00:18:16,940 renewal speak for themselves. 388 00:18:16,940 --> 00:18:19,808 It will fund more bus service at all times of the day, better 389 00:18:19,808 --> 00:18:22,827 connections to light rail, and expand fare subsidies 390 00:18:22,827 --> 00:18:26,019 for tens of thousands of low-income individuals. 391 00:18:26,019 --> 00:18:30,346 This measure will help Seattle residents get to the doctor, to 392 00:18:30,346 --> 00:18:34,336 the grocery store, to school, to recreation, and to jobs. 393 00:18:34,337 --> 00:18:37,326 Transportation Choices Coalition is excited about this 394 00:18:37,326 --> 00:18:38,817 proposal from Mayor Wilson. 395 00:18:38,817 --> 00:18:42,019 Thank you for your leadership and commitment to transit 396 00:18:42,019 --> 00:18:45,019 on behalf of the riders that this measure will serve. 397 00:18:45,019 --> 00:18:48,622 We helped get the last measure passed, and we're excited to 398 00:18:48,622 --> 00:18:50,460 help get this one passed, too. 399 00:18:50,460 --> 00:18:50,759 Thank you. 400 00:18:52,617 --> 00:18:57,240 Thank you. 401 00:18:57,240 --> 00:19:00,700 That concludes our afternoon discussion. 402 00:19:00,700 --> 00:19:01,460 Thank you very much. 403 00:19:11,519 --> 00:19:14,857 The Press: There seems to be -- there's kind of a 404 00:19:14,857 --> 00:19:17,739 contradiction between affordability and increasing 405 00:19:17,739 --> 00:19:20,038 the sales taxes with double it. 406 00:19:20,038 --> 00:19:23,700 Can you speak to why you're proposing such a large 407 00:19:23,700 --> 00:19:25,317 sales tax increase? 408 00:19:25,317 --> 00:19:28,038 And maybe speak to the question of, you know, why 409 00:19:28,038 --> 00:19:29,519 there aren't other alternatives? 410 00:19:29,519 --> 00:19:33,211 Ms. Yeah, so our transportation benefit district is enabled 411 00:19:33,211 --> 00:19:36,144 by state law, and so we're given very specific funding 412 00:19:36,144 --> 00:19:39,440 sources, the main one being being sales tax. 413 00:19:39,440 --> 00:19:42,146 And yeah, I mean, I think we are in a moment where 414 00:19:42,146 --> 00:19:44,720 people are having a lot of trouble affording 415 00:19:44,720 --> 00:19:46,057 to live in this city. 416 00:19:46,057 --> 00:19:48,606 And I think this is really a question of what we choose to 417 00:19:48,606 --> 00:19:50,855 do with the investments that we make and the tax 418 00:19:50,855 --> 00:19:52,019 revenue that we raise. 419 00:19:52,019 --> 00:19:54,707 So when we're investing in public transit, 420 00:19:54,707 --> 00:19:57,616 making it possible for people to live car-free 421 00:19:57,616 --> 00:20:00,146 or car light when we're investing in affordable 422 00:20:00,146 --> 00:20:02,680 fares those are really direct supports that are 423 00:20:04,357 --> 00:20:07,015 creating affordability for the people in our 424 00:20:07,015 --> 00:20:10,019 communities that need it most and it's unfortunate 425 00:20:10,019 --> 00:20:12,103 that we don't have more progressive options for 426 00:20:12,103 --> 00:20:14,239 funding our transit system but that's something 427 00:20:14,239 --> 00:20:16,459 something that we can continue to work at at the state level. 428 00:20:17,876 --> 00:20:21,372 In addition to that, at what point did you 429 00:20:21,372 --> 00:20:23,116 decide to double it? 430 00:20:24,298 --> 00:20:26,259 You mean like what date? 431 00:20:26,259 --> 00:20:30,163 In the process of looking at the renewal, at what point did 432 00:20:30,163 --> 00:20:32,116 you guys decide on doubling? 433 00:20:32,116 --> 00:20:34,229 Well one thing I think is important to point out 434 00:20:34,229 --> 00:20:36,336 is that we're also in a moment where everything 435 00:20:36,337 --> 00:20:38,019 is getting more expensive. 436 00:20:38,019 --> 00:20:40,710 So, when we talk about even though we are doubling the 437 00:20:40,710 --> 00:20:43,481 size of the measure, that's not unfortunately actually getting 438 00:20:43,481 --> 00:20:44,499 us doubled transit service. 439 00:20:44,499 --> 00:20:47,982 So, just to maintain the level of transit service that we 440 00:20:47,982 --> 00:20:51,615 have been providing was going to require a larger measure 441 00:20:51,615 --> 00:20:55,317 anyway because, you know, the cost of everything is going 442 00:20:55,317 --> 00:20:57,989 up all across the board for, you know, for households, for 443 00:20:57,989 --> 00:20:59,380 businesses, for government. 444 00:20:59,380 --> 00:21:02,884 And I don't remember the exact point at which kind of we would 445 00:21:02,884 --> 00:21:06,180 be maintaining the level of service, but we decided that 446 00:21:07,459 --> 00:21:09,489 Increasing the size of the measure to be able to actually 447 00:21:09,489 --> 00:21:11,519 expand transit service was going to be really important 448 00:21:11,519 --> 00:21:14,000 Especially as we are continuing to build out our regional 449 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:15,136 light rail system, right? 450 00:21:15,136 --> 00:21:17,037 And we just opened up the cross like connection 451 00:21:17,037 --> 00:21:19,669 and Judkins Park Station And so really just making sure 452 00:21:19,669 --> 00:21:22,759 that we are taking advantage of that connectivity seemed 453 00:21:22,759 --> 00:21:25,971 really important in this moment So we decided to go up 454 00:21:25,971 --> 00:21:28,682 to point three percent Which is kind of what our 455 00:21:28,682 --> 00:21:31,719 funding authority is through the transportation benefit district 456 00:21:31,719 --> 00:21:34,442 Mayor Wilson, are you concerned about the County Council 457 00:21:34,442 --> 00:21:37,449 enacting additional sales tax on top of this that could 458 00:21:37,449 --> 00:21:41,117 actually divert dollars from the City of Seattle to other 459 00:21:41,117 --> 00:21:44,644 jurisdictions? So you're talking about the .1% 460 00:21:44,644 --> 00:21:49,200 countywide sales tax proposal that the King County Council 461 00:21:49,200 --> 00:21:52,653 may pass for mostly for roads in unincorporated county, but 462 00:21:52,653 --> 00:21:55,731 there's a discussion about some some of that revenue 463 00:21:55,731 --> 00:21:57,019 going back to cities. 464 00:21:57,019 --> 00:21:58,837 I mean, yeah, obviously I would like, 465 00:21:58,837 --> 00:22:02,396 if some of that money is going back directly to cities, 466 00:22:02,396 --> 00:22:04,680 Seattle taxpayers are paying that money, 467 00:22:04,680 --> 00:22:06,999 and I would like to see Seattle get our fair share 468 00:22:06,999 --> 00:22:09,259 of that money, we have a lot of needs here. 469 00:22:09,259 --> 00:22:13,636 - Years ago, when this city tax originated, 470 00:22:13,636 --> 00:22:16,740 there was a car tab fee involved, 471 00:22:16,740 --> 00:22:19,057 I think it was 40 or $60. 472 00:22:19,057 --> 00:22:22,394 How come you're not seeing that, or that nobody was 473 00:22:22,394 --> 00:22:25,817 interested in putting that forth this time around? 474 00:22:25,817 --> 00:22:29,007 So there is an up to there is a $50 car tab 475 00:22:29,007 --> 00:22:32,365 fee that in principle could also be put on the 476 00:22:32,365 --> 00:22:35,499 ballot alongside this the sales tax measure. 477 00:22:35,499 --> 00:22:37,846 I think we've looked at the way that previous 478 00:22:37,846 --> 00:22:40,240 measures have panned out and felt that going 479 00:22:40,240 --> 00:22:41,239 in that direction 480 00:22:43,096 --> 00:22:44,538 just to be blunt, like 481 00:22:45,719 --> 00:22:47,468 would be a lot more controversial in 482 00:22:47,468 --> 00:22:48,459 terms of potential. 483 00:22:48,459 --> 00:22:51,259 So we've had the last couple of Seattle Transportation 484 00:22:51,259 --> 00:22:54,077 Benefit District measures have gone through 485 00:22:54,077 --> 00:22:56,136 with very little organized opposition. 486 00:22:56,136 --> 00:22:57,720 Everyone wants transit, everyone was like, 487 00:22:57,720 --> 00:22:59,836 okay, this is a reasonable way to pay for it. 488 00:22:59,836 --> 00:23:03,179 I think we've seen car tab measures 489 00:23:03,179 --> 00:23:07,817 rouse more organized opposition, and I think we wanted 490 00:23:07,817 --> 00:23:10,432 to stick with something that we were really 491 00:23:10,432 --> 00:23:12,355 confident Seattle voters we're going to be able 492 00:23:12,355 --> 00:23:14,038 to enthusiastically get on board with. 493 00:23:16,778 --> 00:23:20,526 Metro's ridership is two-thirds to three-quarters 494 00:23:20,526 --> 00:23:23,727 what it was pre-pandemic, and they reported last year 495 00:23:23,727 --> 00:23:26,439 that there were no routes that required more investment 496 00:23:26,439 --> 00:23:28,596 to relieve overcrowding, though there were a 497 00:23:28,596 --> 00:23:31,317 lot of neighborhoods that were underserved for 498 00:23:31,317 --> 00:23:32,940 frequency or time of day. 499 00:23:35,136 --> 00:23:39,778 How do you, when there is an overcrowding 500 00:23:39,778 --> 00:23:41,919 and there is a significant amount, 501 00:23:41,919 --> 00:23:43,778 over $50 million already collected, 502 00:23:45,336 --> 00:23:49,376 how or why is Seattle short on bus service? 503 00:23:49,376 --> 00:23:51,057 Well, I think as you just mentioned, 504 00:23:51,057 --> 00:23:53,576 there are many areas that are underserved 505 00:23:53,576 --> 00:23:56,357 for frequency and time of day, so we're going to be making 506 00:23:56,357 --> 00:23:59,557 our investments strategically to address those issues. 507 00:23:59,557 --> 00:24:01,019 And I'll also say that, you know, 508 00:24:01,019 --> 00:24:02,759 ridership continues to climb back up. 509 00:24:02,759 --> 00:24:06,499 So we are looking forward to a future where ridership is 510 00:24:06,499 --> 00:24:10,356 surpassing and continuing to grow past pre-pandemic levels. 511 00:24:10,356 --> 00:24:12,759 I'm very confident that that is the future that we are moving 512 00:24:12,759 --> 00:24:15,896 toward, especially as, again, we are continuing to build out our 513 00:24:15,896 --> 00:24:18,278 light rail system and making other investments in transit 514 00:24:19,278 --> 00:24:21,699 reliability, like the investments that we're making in 515 00:24:21,699 --> 00:24:23,759 in transit priority and dedicated bus lanes. 516 00:24:23,759 --> 00:24:26,344 So I think we are looking forward to a future 517 00:24:26,344 --> 00:24:29,356 where more people are riding transit, especially 518 00:24:29,356 --> 00:24:30,979 as our region keeps growing. 519 00:24:30,979 --> 00:24:33,645 And I also think it's really important to frame this not 520 00:24:33,645 --> 00:24:35,903 -- this is not just something that we are doing for 521 00:24:35,903 --> 00:24:36,919 transit riders, right? 522 00:24:36,919 --> 00:24:39,943 As people continue to move to our region, we have to make 523 00:24:39,943 --> 00:24:42,690 it possible for more people to get around without a car 524 00:24:42,690 --> 00:24:45,597 because we simply don't have the space to keep adding more cars 525 00:24:45,597 --> 00:24:47,699 and more parking to our roads indefinitely so 526 00:24:47,699 --> 00:24:50,019 this is really something that is good for everyone 527 00:24:50,019 --> 00:24:52,403 whether or not you own a car whether or not you 528 00:24:52,403 --> 00:24:54,920 have to drive right this is really about giving 529 00:24:54,920 --> 00:24:58,546 people those options and making sure that we are using our road 530 00:24:58,546 --> 00:25:01,644 space as efficiently as possible to move people to where 531 00:25:01,644 --> 00:25:03,932 they need to go can you speak to your vision for 532 00:25:03,932 --> 00:25:06,740 the future of the seattle streetcar the current 533 00:25:06,740 --> 00:25:10,237 two-line system requires i think 13.4 million this 534 00:25:10,237 --> 00:25:13,727 year in subsidy which pretty much outweighs a lot of 535 00:25:13,727 --> 00:25:17,616 the transit investments that are provided in metro so you 536 00:25:17,616 --> 00:25:19,508 know we're going to be monitoring as i mean 537 00:25:19,508 --> 00:25:21,557 i think the first hill line is like performing 538 00:25:21,557 --> 00:25:23,394 extremely well i think the south lake union line 539 00:25:23,394 --> 00:25:25,278 you know has a little bit more challenges in terms 540 00:25:25,278 --> 00:25:27,817 of ridership although there was a big bump in ridership recently 541 00:25:27,817 --> 00:25:30,817 right so it's like trending I think in a good direction. 542 00:25:30,817 --> 00:25:33,396 So we're gonna be monitoring kind of how ridership 543 00:25:33,396 --> 00:25:36,298 on that line goes, especially as we're making other, 544 00:25:36,298 --> 00:25:37,867 you know, changes to our investments in 545 00:25:37,867 --> 00:25:38,679 our transit system. 546 00:25:38,679 --> 00:25:40,356 So yeah, we'll just see. 547 00:25:40,356 --> 00:25:42,692 I mean, I think, I mean, obviously if 548 00:25:42,692 --> 00:25:44,968 we had all the money in the world, we'd love to 549 00:25:44,968 --> 00:25:47,959 build that Center City Connector and just really like get our 550 00:25:47,959 --> 00:25:49,719 streetcar system connected. 551 00:25:49,719 --> 00:25:52,459 But we're gonna be kind of monitoring and trying 552 00:25:52,459 --> 00:25:53,836 to make sure that we're using these dollars 553 00:25:53,836 --> 00:25:55,038 in the most effective way possible. 554 00:25:55,038 --> 00:25:55,999 - All right, thanks everybody. 555 00:25:55,999 --> 00:25:58,396 If you have any follow-ups, please come find me. 556 00:25:58,396 --> 00:26:00,979 Actually, just one quick question on affordability. 557 00:26:00,979 --> 00:26:02,538 You mentioned ORCA. 558 00:26:02,538 --> 00:26:03,459 ORCA is... 559 00:26:03,459 --> 00:26:06,038 Yeah, so is there going to be an expansion of ORCA Lift, 560 00:26:06,038 --> 00:26:07,817 and will that include an expansion to, 561 00:26:07,817 --> 00:26:08,817 you know, buy income? 562 00:26:08,817 --> 00:26:11,356 Because right now it's only for very low-income folks. 563 00:26:11,356 --> 00:26:13,876 Okay, so the city doesn't actually, like, run 564 00:26:13,876 --> 00:26:16,179 the ORCA Lift program, so that's a metro program. 565 00:26:16,179 --> 00:26:18,876 The specific investment that we're making with these dollars 566 00:26:18,876 --> 00:26:21,659 is partnering with the Seattle Housing Authority 567 00:26:22,659 --> 00:26:25,519 to basically offer free annual passes 568 00:26:25,519 --> 00:26:27,538 to residents in affordable housing buildings. 569 00:26:27,538 --> 00:26:29,317 This is a program that the city has been funding, 570 00:26:29,317 --> 00:26:32,259 but this actually represents a very significant 571 00:26:32,259 --> 00:26:35,130 expansion of that, not just in the dollars that 572 00:26:35,130 --> 00:26:38,298 we are putting into this, but we've also worked with Metro 573 00:26:38,298 --> 00:26:42,798 to basically agree to a different model 574 00:26:42,798 --> 00:26:45,739 where previously we were actually paying full fare 575 00:26:45,739 --> 00:26:48,565 for those rides, but now we're going to be paying 576 00:26:48,565 --> 00:26:51,180 at the ORCA Lift rate, which is a dollar ride. 577 00:26:51,180 --> 00:26:53,775 So the money that we are using on this program is actually 578 00:26:53,775 --> 00:26:56,201 going to go a lot further and be able to serve a lot more 579 00:26:56,201 --> 00:26:57,640 people than it was previously. 580 00:26:57,640 --> 00:26:59,924 So I don't know if I do have the numbers for how many 581 00:26:59,924 --> 00:27:02,660 people this is going to serve now versus when it did before. 582 00:27:02,660 --> 00:27:03,659 Up to 22,000. 583 00:27:03,659 --> 00:27:05,057 And before, how many were? 584 00:27:05,057 --> 00:27:08,347 So we're going from 10,000 to 22,000 without doubling 585 00:27:08,347 --> 00:27:09,739 the money, basically. 586 00:27:09,739 --> 00:27:10,336 So that's that. 587 00:27:10,336 --> 00:27:12,576 And I think this is just a really, really exciting thing. 588 00:27:12,576 --> 00:27:15,625 I'll just say, like, through my previous organizing with the 589 00:27:15,625 --> 00:27:18,565 Transit Riders Union, right, and also my personal 590 00:27:18,565 --> 00:27:22,053 experience, the difference between having that 591 00:27:22,053 --> 00:27:25,721 unlimited pass in your pocket versus having to think about 592 00:27:25,721 --> 00:27:28,611 where you're going to come up with the money every time 593 00:27:28,611 --> 00:27:31,026 you ride transit is just, it just represents 594 00:27:31,026 --> 00:27:32,557 freedom through mobility. 595 00:27:32,557 --> 00:27:35,634 And so to be able to offer that to 22,000 people in our 596 00:27:35,634 --> 00:27:37,636 community is really remarkable.