MASS Coalition’s priorities for the 2026 STM

On June 3, 2026, the Move All Seattle Sustainably (MASS) Coalition delivered a letter to the Seattle City Council supporting Mayor Wilson's proposal for the 2026 Seattle Transit Measure. Seattle Transit Blog, a proud member of the MASS Coalition, is reprinting the letter to broaden the Coalition's message for better transit service. The original letter is available here.

To the Seattle City Council,

The Move All Seattle Sustainably (MASS) Coalition is an alliance of 14 organizations working toward a safer, more accessible, and climate-aligned transportation system in Seattle. We support Mayor Wilson's proposed Seattle Transit Measure (STM) and want to share what we believe must be at the heart of it. This measure represents a unique collaboration between the City of Seattle and King County Metro, with a continued commitment to funding additional service for Seattleites beyond what the county can provide on its own. That partnership is worth investing in, and we want to see it done right.

The track record of the current Seattle Transit Measure, passed by voters in 2020 with 80% approval, gives us confidence that this increased measure works for Seattle's transit riders. Since 2020, the STM has funded over 141,000 annual service hours, completed more than 30 capital projects to improve travel times and rider safety, and delivered meaningful fare relief through the Transportation Access Program (TAP). In 2024 alone, TAP generated 1.7 million rides and saved participants over $4 million in fares. The new measure is an opportunity to build on that foundation and go further.

Focus on boosting bus service

The most important thing this measure can do is put more buses on the road. The proposed measure would add 100,000 annual service hours to a system that currently funds over 141,000, bringing Seattle to 89% completion of the Frequent Transit Network, with every funded route connecting to at least one light rail stop. That is a meaningful expansion from the 2020 measure.

Increase frequencies on evenings and weekends

A significant share of those hours are targeted at evenings and weekends, which matters enormously to hourly workers, service industry employees, caregivers, and anyone who tries to navigate our city after 5pm. Reliable off-peak service makes transit useful for how Seattleites live and work. We also believe that maintaining current service levels must be a guaranteed floor, not something subject to erosion as operator and maintenance costs rise. With Light Rail expansions still missing key parts of our city, this is an opportunity to restore connectivity and service that was lost immediately after the pandemic.

Savings and fare relief through the Transportation Access Program

Expanding access to transit through fare subsidies is just as important as expanding service. The most regressive thing we can do is force Seattleites to own a car. At an average cost of nearly $12,000 per year in Washington, car ownership is a financial burden that falls hardest on the people who can least afford it. An efficient transit system enables residents to save money by not needing to own a car, or not needing to use one as often. The proposed measure would extend the Transit Access Pass to 22,000 people, including 12,000 beyond currently funded levels, making all Seattle Housing Authority housing choice voucher holders eligible. A subsidized ORCA card saves roughly $1,200 per year. That kind of direct relief matters.

Speed up buses with signal priority and bus lanes

On the capital side, we believe funding should go toward targeted spot improvements that make bus service faster, more reliable, and more frequent. This includes signal priority, bus lanes, and stop upgrades that add up to meaningful time savings for riders trying to get somewhere on time. The 2024 Seattle Transportation Levy, approved by voters last November, already dedicates $189 million over eight years to pedestrian safety, including sidewalk construction and repair. STM capital funds should stay focused on what moves riders faster and gets them to their stop safely.

Articulate a long-term plan for the streetcar

Finally, the $25 million per year proposed for Seattle Streetcar operations and maintenance represents more than a quarter of the STM's transit service budget. We believe the City needs to present a concrete plan for how that investment will make the Streetcar a more useful part of the network. That level of funding requires a clear strategy.

We recognize that a sales tax is a regressive funding mechanism, and we do not take that lightly. We support the Mayor's proposed measure because the alternative, a city where more people are forced into car ownership, is even more regressive. We see this measure as a foundation to build from. We are committed to future work for additional and more equitable revenue tools that keep people moving outside of cars.

Seattle deserves a transit measure that moves people where they need to go, conveniently, safely, affordably, and sustainably.

Sincerely,

Transit Riders Union, Build Ballard Light Rail, Fix the L8, The Urbanist, Sierra Club Washington, Seattle Subway, Cascade Bicycle Club, Nondrivers Alliance, Transportation Choices, Seattle Transit Blog, and 350 Seattle.