Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Metro is planning a phased approach to returning to fare inspection. In the coming weeks, the agency is launching a multilingual communications and outreach campaign to raise awareness of this change and to let riders know they may be eligible for a reduced fare. Starting March 31, 2025, Metro’s Fare Resource Advocates will ask riders for proof of fare payment. The officers will offer friendly, verbal reminders to riders who did not pay. The Fare Resource Advocates also will provide information on the return to fare… Read More

Crossposted from Cultivating Connections As the year comes to a close, the Department of Community and Human Services is taking stock in progress we’ve made throughout a year filled with both challenges and opportunities. This year was full of milestones and celebrations, and we look forward to building on these accomplishments for the people of King County in 2025. Read more.

Crossposted from Cultivating Connections Last month, the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of Beacon Pacific Village, a new affordable housing community offering a blend of residential, mixed-use, and critical on-site services. Between 2016 to 2020, King County’s Housing Finance Program (HFP) awarded nearly five million dollars to SCIDpda, the owner and developer of Beacon Pacific Village, through Transit Oriented Development funding and other awards. Recognized by developers for its innovative design and sustainable architecture, Beacon Pacific Village provides connection to wellness, community, and healing for communities fragmented… Read More

Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Metro has contracted with European bus builder Solaris to buy up to 16 zero-emission buses. This marks Solaris’ first contract with a U.S.-based transit agency and represents the company’s effort to expand its presence in the North American market. The partnership also reflects a broader push to diversify the number of transit suppliers in the region. Metro’s procurement will help increase the bus manufacturing competition in the U.S. market, where bus manufacturing shortages have created supply chain challenges for all transit agencies. Read more.

Happy Holidays to all our employees and their loved ones. May you enjoy time together with joy and laughter. A special thank you to our employees who are working over the holiday. King County is grateful for your service.