Chris Eggen nominated to serve on regional transit task force

February 22, 2010

Summary

County Council Chair Bob Ferguson endorses appointment of Shoreline Councilmember Chris Eggen

Story

Today, Metropolitan King County Council Chair Bob Ferguson sponsored legislation to appoint Shoreline City Councilmember Chris Eggen to a transit task force that will address critical transit issues facing King County.

“As a daily bus commuter, I know how important transit is for King County residents,” said Ferguson. “Councilmember Eggen is a leader in transportation issues and will effectively represent Shoreline and neighboring jurisdictions as we evaluate our transit system and its budget challenges.”

“My participation on other regional committees has provided me with an understanding of the significant transit issues to be addressed,” said Councilmember Eggen. “I appreciate the opportunity to represent Shoreline and Lake Forest Park on the task force and to help craft a sustainable vision for King County Metro Transit.”

If approved by the Council, Eggen will be one of 27 members on the task force, which will include a mix of elected officials, riders, labor representatives, and business and other regional interests. The task force will also be geographically balanced, with equal representation from each of King County’s three transportation subareas. Shoreline and Lake Forest Park are part of the West King County transportation subarea, which also includes Seattle.

“People tend to forget that Seattle shares the west subarea with Shoreline and Lake Forest Park,” said Ferguson. “I requested that Executive Constantine include Councilmember Eggen on the task force to make sure Shoreline and Lake Forest Park have a voice in this regional discussion.”

The task force will discuss the future of Metro Transit, including developing a comprehensive vision for the future of the regional transit system. Also to be discussed are criteria for systemically expanding or reducing the transit system, depending on revenues available. The task force will make its recommendations by September.

The County Council directed the County Executive to convene the task force in response to ongoing projected Metro Transit budget shortfalls. A sharp drop in the sales tax revenues that support bus service led to a projected $213 million revenue shortfall for Metro Transit over 2010 and 2011. In the adopted 2010 King County Budget, the Council reprioritized property tax revenues and adopted a fare increase for 2011 to preserve existing levels of bus service through 2011. However, a projected shortfall remains in 2012 through 2014, which could require cutting approximately 500,000 annual service hours.