Title
A MOTION outlining a process to develop a regional mobility framework that will ensure that innovations in mobility put people first, use public space equitably and efficiently and are coordinated with transit policies and regional funding strategies.
Body
WHEREAS, in addition to an increasing reliance on public transit, the region's residents are turning to mobility and technology options as an alternative to single occupancy vehicles, including: walking; bicycling; telecommuting; ordering online; using taxis, transportation network companies, carpools, vanpools and ride share options; and experimenting with new technologies and opportunities, including bike-share companies and passenger information applications, and
WHEREAS, in response to the growth in new mobility options, in September 2014 the King County council adopted Ordinance 17892, which set new regulations for for-hire transportation, including taxicabs, for-hire vehicles, for-hire drivers and transportation network companies, and
WHEREAS, to outline a shared vision in which all people have equitable opportunities to thrive, in 2016, King County developed an equity and social justice strategic plan, 2016-2022, and
WHEREAS, in June 2016, the King County council adopted Ordinance 18301, which adopted updates to the Strategic Plan for Public Transportation 2011-2021 and the King County Metro Service Guidelines, which identify the criteria of corridor productivity, social equity and geographic value in setting transit service levels, and
WHEREAS, in January 2017, the King County council adopted Ordinance 18449, which adopted METRO CONNECTS, a long-range transit service and capital plan that outlines a vision for a seventy percent increase in bus service hours by 2040, accompanied by significant capital investments in fleet, operating base capacity, passenger access and facilities, transit pathways and other needs, and
WHEREAS, in August 2018, the King County council adopted Ordinance 18777, which established the King County Metro transit department, and
WHEREAS, King County Metro has expressed the goal of delivering more and better mobility solutions by making transit easy to use and available to all, building necessary transit infrastructure, partnering with cities and other stakeholders, and enabling Metro employees to do top quality work, and
WHEREAS, King County Metro has expressed the goal of embracing and leading on innovations in the transportation market by facilitating new mobility partnerships, and
WHEREAS, King County has stated its commitment to increasing equity in mobility by planning, developing and delivering mobility solutions that provide access to opportunities for people with low or no incomes, people of color, seniors, people with limited English proficiency, people with disabilities and those who commute during non-peak travel periods or live or work in rural areas, and
WHEREAS, jurisdictions and transit agencies must develop policies around mobility innovations in the context of quickly emerging technologies, and
WHEREAS, as these mobility policies are developed, it is essential that jurisdictions and transit agencies learn from the lessons of the past, so that innovations in mobility are implemented with intention, in ways that put people first and use public space efficiently and equitably;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. The Metro transit department, under the leadership of the executive and working in coordination with the council, should begin a planning effort during 2019 to develop a framework for the equitable implementation of innovations in transit service and mobility.
B. The framework should include, but is not limited to:
1. A review of emerging technologies and local and national best practices;
2. Analysis of potential implications for the Metro transit department and opportunities to coordinate mobility innovations with fixed-route and other services;
3. Coordination with the regional planning, coordination and funding efforts to address the implementation of METRO CONNECTS, consistent with the strategy identified in Motion XXXX (Proposed Motion 2018-0542);
4. Outreach and engagement with regional partners, transit riders and local communities, including but not limited to low-income populations, communities of color, immigrants and refugees, and limited English speaking populations;
5. A review of potential policies for the allocation of public space, including streets, sidewalks, transit stops and station areas, focused on efficiency and equity of use;
6. A review of industry-wide workforce trends, including the potential implications of new mobility options on labor needs, career opportunities, recruitment, training and economic prospects of transportation workers;
7. Guiding principles that will inform the framework development work, including putting people first; and
8. Potential revisions and updates to countywide public transit documents including but not limited to the Strategic Plan for Public Transportation, the King County Metro service guidelines and the METRO CONNECTS long-range plan.
C. Metro Transit should develop a scoping document outlining the proposed coordination with the regional planning effort outlined in Motion XXXX (Proposed Motion 2018-0542), as well as the timeline, expected work tasks and budget to develop the mobility framework, and should file this scoping document by April 18, 2019, in the form of a paper original and an electronic copy with the clerk of the council, who shall retain the original and provide an electronic copy to all councilmembers, the council chief
of staff and the lead staff for the regional transit committee and the lead staff of the mobility committee, or its successor.