Drafter
Clerk 04/18/2017
Title
A MOTION relating to public transportation; requesting a briefing on extra late-night public transportation service on the Fourth of July 2017; and similar extra late-night public transportation service on New Year's Eve 2017 and New Year's Day 2018, including evaluation of free fares and potential partnerships.
Body
WHEREAS, the Fourth of July, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are holidays featuring fireworks displays and midnight celebrations which, by their very nature, result in large public gatherings in the late evening and early morning, and
WHEREAS, law enforcement agencies encourage celebrants to behave responsibly and provide increased enforcement of impaired driving statutes in support of the state's Target Zero initiative to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries, including those caused by impaired driving, and
WHEREAS, despite these efforts, the Washington State Patrol reports twenty-four driving under the influence ("DUI") arrests in King County during the period December 31, 2016, through January 3, 2017, and thirty-two arrests for DUI December 31, 2015, through January 3, 2016; with two hundred fifteen arrests for DUI in a five-day period for the Fourth of July in 2015 and two hundred twenty-three arrests for DUI in a five-day period for the Fourth of July in 2016, and
WHEREAS, bus service to and from these gatherings is a means of assuring safe transportation for more attendees, and
WHEREAS, transit agencies in Chicago, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Orange County (California), Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, San Jose and Vancouver (British Columbia) are among those providing free transit service on New Year's Eve and early morning of New Year's Day;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. Because of the benefits to public safety and personal mobility, King County Metro should explore options for providing significantly increased late-night servi...

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