Seattle Transit Measure Renewal 2026

Route 60's weekend frequency is 15 minutes, instead of 30 minutes, due to funding from the current STM. (Ken Robinette)

Last week, Mayor Wilson has unveiled her proposal for the next Seattle Transit Measure (STM) that will replace the current measure when it expires in 2027. The STM is an additional tax in Seattle that is used to fund more bus service and various transit programs. Wilson is proposing a 0.3% sales tax for the next 10 years that is expected to generate $138M every year.

What Does the STM Fund?

The vast majority of this funding, $96.1 million each year, will be used to support better bus service in Seattle. The current STM funds 5% of all bus trips in Seattle. This includes extra trips and improved frequencies on Metro routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 21, 24, 33, 28, 36, 40, 44, 48, 50, 60, 70, 106, 107, 124, 125, C Line, D Line, E Line, G Line, and H Line. Wilson's proposal increases funding for addition bus service by nearly 60%, so more routes will be supported to help Seattle meet its Frequent Transit Measure goal.

Another $23.4M will cover the operational costs of Seattle's two streetcar lines. These two lines are operated by King County Metro, but are funded by Seattle via the STM. Ridership on both the South Lake Union Line and the First Hill Line has increased over the past few years.

About $9M per year will be allocated for Transit Access Programs. These programs include subsidized ORCA cards for 22,000 people, transit education programs, and the Easy Loop shuttle.

Funding allocation for the proposed STM. (SDOT)

The STM proposal will also provide about $6.1M per year for supporting Seattle's projects in Sound Transit 3. This including paying additional staff for project management, planning, engineering, permitting, and environmental review. The City will also use these funds to plan and design projects adjacent to the Link extensions, including sidewalks, crosswalks, lighting, bus stops, and bike lanes.

The final bucket of STM funded projects is transit infrastructure ($3.5M each year). This funding, along with the funds from the Seattle Transportation Levy, will help support spot projects to improve bus reliability, access, equity, and safety. Examples of these projects include bus lanes, signal changes, and bus stop shelters and lighting.

How is the STM Funded?

Cities in Washington have limited options for how to fund additional transit service. The primary methods are sales taxes and car tab fees. While more regressive, Wilson's choice to use a 0.3% sales tax avoids the political push back from raising car tabs. The increased sales tax will fund more transit service that will allow more people in Seattle drive less or live car-free. As the cost of car maintenance, insurance, and gas continues to rise, required" car ownership is extremely regressive. A higher sales tax to reduce car ownership in Seattle is better than the alternative.

What's Next?

Wilson's proposal was shared with the Seattle City Council on June 4, 2026. Over the next six weeks, the City Council will discuss, amend, and finalize the legislation. Seattle residents will vote on the revised STM in November. The public is encouraged to provide feedback to the City Council at the following meetings.

• June 18, 2026 at 9:30 AM, select committee hearing
• July 6, 2026 at 2:00 PM, select committee hearing
• July 13, 2026 at 9:30 AM, public hearing (remote only)
• July 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM, public hearing
• July 16, 2026 at 9:30 AM, select committee hearing