Sims commends key Councilmembers for giving voters a say on transit future

King County Executive Ron Sims hailed seven members of the King County Council for their vote today to give the public a chance to decide the future of Metro Transit services. The County Council placed a two-tenths of one-percent sales tax measure on the November ballot.

Sims said he was "very pleased that a majority of the County Council passed this proposal to save Metro Transit. Because of the foresight of seven councilmembers, we will be able to put before the voters in November the best possible package of proposals to restore bus service and make the capital improvements necessary to support a successful Metro system."

Following the passage of Initiative 695, Metro Transit lost millions of dollars in funding. The Legislature gave counties a sales tax option to fix transit funding on an ongoing basis. King County had made substantial transportation administration and overhead reductions, but, if no action had been taken today, major cuts in service would need to be made, stranding thousands of daily bus riders.

King County Executive Ron Sims today commended County Councilmembers Greg Nickels, Cynthia Sullivan, Dwight Pelz, Larry Phillips, Larry Gossett, Louise Miller and Maggi Fimia for placing the measure on the November ballot.

"Today we have kept faith with the voters who asked us for a choice and who need the chance to save Metro. It is unfortunate that we were unable to pass a more visionary package, but now the voters will at least have a chance to save the best bus system in the country," said Greg Nickels, Councilmember representing District 8.

"King County voters will have the opportunity to determine the future of their region and save their outstanding Metro bus system," said 4th District Councilmember Larry Phillips. "They have asked us to address regional traffic congestion and we have, at least, started by putting forward a package restoring potentially devastating transit cuts."

"While we all acknowledge there is a lot to fix in our transportation system, Metro Transit is the piece that works best. This November voters will have an opportunity to preserve this system for those who need it most, including the elderly and the disabled in our community," said Dwight Pelz, Councilmember representing District 5.