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AN ORDINANCE approving public transportation service changes for March 2016 that include countywide service changes and the extension of RapidRide C and D Lines funded by the city of Seattle through the transit service funding agreement with King County.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

1.  The proposed changes are consistent with the policy direction and priorities adopted on August 30, 2013, in the 2013 update to King County Metro's Strategic Plan for Public Transportation 2011-2021 and associated Service Guidelines, adopted in Ordinance 17641.

2.  In accordance with the strategic plan's direction to secure sustainable funding for short-term transportation needs and identify partnerships with local jurisdictions and businesses as a potential revenue source to support transit service, Metro and the city of Seattle have entered into a fully revenue-backed transit service funding agreement to provide city financial support for transit service in the city of Seattle, approved in Ordinance 17978.

3.  The proposed change to extend the RapidRide C and D Lines is being requested by the city in accordance with the transit service funding agreement.

4.  In accordance with Metro’s Five Year Alternative Services Plan adopted by Motion 13736 and Ordinance 17941 which established a budget for Alternative Services, Metro conducted appropriate planning and outreach with community stakeholders and local jurisdictions to develop an alternative service proposal that restructures southeast King County routes, including routes 915 and 907, to improve efficiency and provide right-size services in that market.

5.  Utilizing funding made available through a Washington State Regional Mobility Grant will give Metro and Sound Transit the opportunity to alleviate overcrowding in the Interstate 5 corridor by adding service on routes 179 and 190.

                     BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:

                     SECTION 1.  The March 2016 public transportation service changes for King County, substantially as described in Attachment A to this ordinance, are hereby approved and shall be implemented effective March 12, 2016.

                     SECTION 2.  The March 2016 extension of RapidRide C and D Lines, substantially as described in Attachment B to this ordinance, is hereby approved and shall be implemented

effective March 26, 2016, in accordance with the transit service funding agreement approved on February 17, 2015, in Ordinance 17978.