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Access Paratransit Advisory Committee
Enhances Metro’s Access paratransit program by advising the agency on priorities and areas of mutual concern while developing a vision for ongoing improvements.
The Access Paratransit Advisory Committee (APAC) will advise Metro, the King County Executive and King County Council on transit issues and policy related to matters of equal access to public transportation for persons with disabilities. Metro’s Access Paratransit program serves people with disabilities who are unable to use fixed-route buses, helping them lead more independent lives.
This committee was established by King County Ordinance #18838 in November of 2018.
Role of APAC
The purpose of Metro’s advisory committee is to create a medium through which the public can advise Metro, the King County Executive, the King County Council, local jurisdictions and subarea transportation forums on transit issues and policy related to ADA civil rights law and equal access to public transportation for persons with disabilities.
APAC responsibilities
- Providing advice and counsel on Access paratransit service and identifying opportunities for continued improvement
- Aiding in the development of long-range planning efforts
- Serving as a resource for transit promotion
- Providing advice and counsel on Access paratransit service and identifying opportunities for continued improvement
- Developing and delivering an annual report beginning in August 2020 on Access, to include:
- A review of and comment on the Metro's annual performance metrics and trends relevant to Access
- Assessment and feedback on information from customer surveys distributed by the Metro relevant to Access
Meetings
APAC meetings are open to the public and has a dedicated public comment period at the end of each meeting, but please note that the committee is not a decision-making body.
If you wish to express your views on transit, including Access, to decision makers, the King County Council's Regional Transit Committee and the Mobility Committee meet regularly and offer time on their agendas for public comment.
Upcoming Agendas
Meeting accommodations
- Wheelchair and mobility aide accessible meeting rooms and restrooms
- Use of amplified sound/microphone and projection screen visible from all seating
- Service animals are allowed
- Electrical outlets are available
- CART/Captioning
- On-street handicap paid parking
Request additional accommodations
Additional reasonable accommodations and/or written material available in alternate formats are available upon request at least 10 days before the meeting, if less than 10 days we may not be able to fulfill your request.
To request an accommodation, you can either:
- Fill out an online form
- Call 206-263-5853 (TTY 711).
Meeting archives
Download agendas, meeting minutes and supporting documents
- May 13, 2024
- April 8, 2024
- March 11, 2024
- February 12, 2024
- January 8, 2024
- December 11, 2023
- November 11, 2023
- October 2, 2023
- September 11, 2023
- August 14, 2023
- July 10, 2023
- June 12, 2023
- May 8, 2023
- April 24, 2023
- March 13, 2023
- February 13, 2023
- January 9, 2023
- December 12, 2022
- November 14, 2022
- August 8, 2022
- July 11, 2022
- June 13, 2022
- April 11, 2022
- March 14, 2022
- February 14, 2022
- January 10, 2022
- December 13, 2021
- November 8, 2021
- October 11, 2021
- September 13, 2021
- August 9, 2021
- July 12, 2021
- June 14, 2021
- May 10, 2021
- April 12, 2021
- March 8, 2021
- February 8, 2021
- January 11, 2021
- December 14, 2020
APAC Members
The committee is appointed by the King County Executive and approved by the King County Council for 2 year appointments.
Membership is comprised of Access riders, family members of Access riders, representatives of organizations that provide services to Access riders and representatives of organizations that support Access riders who have limited English proficiency.
| District | Member(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Kristina Sawyckyj |
| 2 | VACANT |
| 3 | VACANT |
| 4 | Deborah Artis |
| 5 | Prem Subedi |
| 6 | VACANT |
| 7 | Steven Field |
| 8 | Lisa Espinosa |
| 9 | Christiana Williams |
Access Task Force (2018–2019)
Prior to APAC, King County Metro convened the Access Task Force in April 2018 to support Access riders, their caregivers, and other community stakeholders with an opportunity to advise Metro on its paratransit program.
The Access Task Force members provided guidance and advised Metro on responding to the 2017 King County Auditors’ report, advised on a new proposal for a provider, and the implementation of the new provider contract in 2019.
The Access Task Force (2018–2019) was also built upon the important community work from the past several years. In 2016, Metro secured a grant to support inclusive planning. A Community Advisory Group was formed in 2016-2017 to represent the interests of Metro Access riders as County staff prepared a request for proposals from paratransit service providers.
After the County released this request for proposal, Metro then put the procurement process on hold to ensure that the future contract would reflect community recommendations. In the Fall of 2017, Metro convened an RFP workgroup that was specifically tasked with advising Metro on how to improve its request for proposal for a new contract.
Following the discerning input provided by the Access Task Force during the procurement process, King County Council commissioned Metro to form APAC to continue to promote responsiveness and accountability to the community as its new contractor began operations.
Access Task Force Meetings Archive
About Metro's Access Paratransit Service
King County Metro's Access Paratransit Service provided 9,876,720 miles of rides for over 14,000 registered riders in 2018. Access is Metro’s American Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit program for persons whose disabilities prevent them from using Metro’s traditional bus service.
The Access program provides next-day shared rides and is intended to offer a comparable level of service to that provided by regular bus service. Metro is committed to providing equal access in all its services.
Learn more about Metro's accessible services