Keep Everett Transit
Main Points
The City of Everett and Community Transit are currently conducting a study and gathering data to determine the future of Everett Transit, and one of the options being explored is to merge Everett Transit with Community Transit. This site's purpose is to inform you in a truthful and accurate manner on why keeping Everett Transit is the best course of action for both riders and non-riding citizens.
In order for a merger to happen, the citizens of Everett would be required to vote to raise the transit portion of their sales tax from 0.6% to 1.2%.
To put it shortly, a merger would cost you more money. The city has expressed interest in getting rid of several of its city services, including Everett Fire and Everett Public Library. Getting rid of these vital services is not the answer to Everett's budget deficit.
There is one reason and one reason only that Community Transit wants to absorb Everett Transit. Community Transit wants to collect sales taxes generated by nearly 110,000 Everett residents. Any other reason given for decommissioning Everett Transit is just marketing to gain your vote.
Updates
- November 28, 2023 - Everett Transit is doing well without a 100% increase in the transit portion of your sales tax; this past year there are more routes, more buses per hour, many seats to choose from, and $20 million in savings with plenty of room for growth for many years to come.
- June 10, 2023 - You may have received a postcard in the mail asking you to take a survey about changes to public services. It is, in fact, a survey about the merger. We encourage you to take the survey and give your thoughts. Here is the link: http://bit.ly/3BiGMxM
- May 21, 2023 - ATU 0883 has endorsed Judy Tuohy in her re-election for Everett City Council Position 7.
- June 13, 2022 - The Free Youth Transit Pass program will begin July 1, 2022; 18 and under will ride fare free. ORCA Lift cost will be reduced from $1.50 to $1, and a zero-fare ORCA card will be introduced in the near future.
- June 9, 2022 - Everett Herald: Community Transit sticks with vaccine policy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the merger and will it affect me?
The City of Everett and Community Transit are currently conducting a study and gathering data to determine the future of Everett Transit, and one of the options being explored is to merge Everett Transit with Community Transit. Click here for detailed information about the agreement recently reached between the City of Everett and Community Transit regarding the consideration of consolidated transit services.
If you use Everett Transit and a merger were to go through you would expect your fare to increase from $2.00 to $2.50.
Everett Para Transit riders would become DART riders and have their fare increase from $2.00 to $2.50.
For citizens of Everett, the transit tax portion of your sales tax, currently 0.6%, would double to 1.2%.
It is currently not known exactly how a merger would impacts routes, but citizens of Everett would likely have very little say as they'll have given up their unique transit system.
How much will a merger cost me?
If you ride the bus, your fares will go up.
For senior and disabled people, your fare would increase from $0.50 to $1.50 for fixed route buses.
For adults, your fare would increase from $2.00 to $2.50.
For para transit riders, your fare would increase from $2.00 to $2.50.
As of July 1, 2022, persons 18 and under will ride fare free with Everett Transit.
For tax payers living in Everett, the transit tax portion of your sales tax would double from 0.6% to 1.2%. Based on these figures, the average family of four could expect their monthly transit tax to increase from about $94 to $188.
What would routes look like?
We don't know. There are no concrete or guaranteed routes if a merger happened. One thing we do know is that Community Transit gave an example of an improved route in one of the proposals, but this improvement was misleading.
It is expected that they will portray a merger as benefiting you, and they will be very aggressive with their information campaign, so we must be aware that they would love to have your money and, as shown above, are happy to fluff their ideas.
How will a merger affect Para Transit?
Everett Para Transit riders would have to ride Dial-a-Ride Transportation (DART). Their fares would increase from $2.00 to $2.50.
Practically speaking, this means longer rides and poorer customer service.
Everett Para Transit drivers are unionized civil servants who go through extensive training and are held to a high standard while being compensated fairly, resulting in exceptional service for our senior and disabled neighbors.
Community Transit contracts their para transit service out in order to save money. They have had three different contractors in the past seven years, with TransDev being the current contractor. The service has deteriorated and despite the drivers putting in their best efforts the service is simply not up to par with where it should be.
Our senior and disabled riders deserve the best, and they currently have that with Everett Transit.
This site is not affiliated with the City of Everett or Everett Transit.
Contact us at: admin@keepet.org