Thirty years ago, the countywide bus system known as Metro Transit was toddling along with an assortment of buses operated by employees blended from two agencies. But those employees had some big dreams, and today the award-winning agency is poised to celebrate three decades of growing success as it kicks off its 30^th Anniversary year.

"It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come in 30 years," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "Bus ridership has tripled in that time, as Metro has expanded service to more communities and individuals. Today, with nearly 100 million trips a year; Metro provides 60 percent of all public transit service in the state of Washington.

"And best of all, the growth was handled in ways that promote accessibility for all passengers, responsible use of tax dollars, and a continued commitment to the environment."

Metro Transit is inviting the public to a special event to kick off its anniversary, and explore more than145 years of public transportation history in King County, on Saturday, Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI), 2700 24th Ave. East, Seattle.

Activities and displays will include:

• Eight buses ranging from a 1959 suburban coach to Metro's newest Hybrid diesel/electric bus;
• Metro memorabilia;
• Displays featuring the past, present and future of public transportation in King County;
• Hands-on children’s activities;
• Entertainment provided by The Spirit Of The Band, a group of musical transit employees;
• A Q&A session with Metro General Manager Rick Walsh; and
• A short program hosted by Sims.

Metro has a rich history that links back to the earliest horse-drawn streetcars in Seattle, but the most recent history is just as interesting.

In September 1972, King County voters approved the formation of a regional bus system and agreed to raise the local sales tax by 0.3 percent to fund operations. Staff for the new agency were given just 100 days to merge the city’s Seattle Transit System with the privately owned suburban Metropolitan Transportation Corporation into King County’s first truly regional public transportation network.

"That was an exciting and scary time," said Metro General Manager Rick Walsh, who was a young Seattle Transit driver in 1972, "and it also set the tone for our agency. Metro inherited a tradition of service and commitment from its ‘parent’ agencies. But, that wild 100-day push to get Metro buses on the road by January 1973 also encouraged the creative problem-solving still guiding our organization today."

During Saturday’s program, Sims will outline 10 areas where Metro has pioneered or refined ideas that have since been adopted by transit agencies nationwide. This includes:

• Developing wheelchair lifts and bike racks that have become standard for all buses;
• Building a one-of-a-kind bus tunnel that ties together separate activity centers in Seattle;
• Using the latest in hybrid bus technology as part of a clean-air strategy;
• Maximizing options for commuters to ride the bus, carpool, or use car-sharing programs;
• Instituting safety programs that have reduced accidents and collisions on an annual basis;
• Providing better customer service through online information, including a computerized trip planner that has just been expanded to include information from three counties;

"I am proud of our employees who provide high-quality transit services based on excellence and innovation," said Walsh. "In return, all Metro employees thank the community for 30 years of support, and for continually challenging us to make our services even better."