File #: 2023-0035    Version:
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 1/24/2023 In control: Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee
On agenda: Final action: 3/7/2023
Enactment date: 3/16/2023 Enactment #: 19581
Title: AN ORDINANCE approving the King County Metro Service Recovery Plan.
Sponsors: Rod Dembowski
Indexes: Metro
Attachments: 1. Ordinance 19581, 2. A. King County Metro Service Recovery Plan, dated February 21, 2023, 3. A. King County Metro Service Recovery Plan, 4. 2023-0035 Transmittal Letter, 5. 2023-0035 Fiscal Note, 6. 2023-0035 Legislative Review Form, 7. 2023-0035_Amdt1_Technical-01-31-23, 8. 2023-0035_Exec-ACO-8-23-8-EO, 9. 2023-0035_SR_Svc-Recovery-Plan, 10. 2023-0035_Revised_SR_Svc-Recovery-Plan
Staff: Bourguignon, Mary

Title

AN ORDINANCE approving the King County Metro Service Recovery Plan.

Body

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

1.  On February 29, 2020, the Governor of Washington issued a Proclamation of Emergency regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

2.  On March 1, 2020, the executive issued a proclamation of emergency in King County regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

3.  The executive determined based on the Metro transit department general manager's recommendation that an emergency existed that required a change to established Metro transit department routes, schedules and classes of service in accordance with K.C.C. 28.94.020.B.2.a. and directed the Metro transit department to make service changes until the beginning of the Spring 2023 Metro service change.

4.  These service changes and the Metro transit department's incremental return of service are providing an appropriate level of Metro transit department service consistent with demand, customer needs and public health guidance.

5.  On December 7, 2021, the King County council adopted updates to the King County Metro Strategic Plan for Public Transportation, the King County Metro Service Guidelines and METRO CONNECTS - King County Metro's Long-Range Plan.

6.  The Metro transit department general manager has developed the plan contained in Attachment A to this ordinance to redesign and grow Metro transit department transit services over the next several years, consistent with the updated plans adopted by the council in 2021.

7.  The Metro transit department has the opportunity to leverage major regional transit system expansion to rethink and redesign transit services to better meet community needs throughout King County.

8.  The Metro transit department is working to recruit, train and retain the workforce required to implement the plan contained in Attachment A to this ordinance.

9.  The plan proposes continuing the suspension of Metro transit department service identified in Attachment A to this ordinance.

                     BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:

                     SECTION 1.  Findings:  The King County council finds that it is essential that the Metro transit department develop achievable and dependable service levels and schedules as it works to rebuild ridership and restore rider confidence in the transit system.  Although the Metro transit department is working to recruit, train and retain the workforce required to implement the plan in Attachment A to this ordinance, the council encourages the Metro transit department to take all steps necessary to match service plans to achievable operational capacity, including, if needed, by making additional emergency service reductions, in accordance with K.C.C. 28.94.020.B.2.a, so that transit riders are able to depend on the Metro transit department to provide scheduled service on a daily basis without last-minute cancellations.

                     SECTION 2.  The King County Metro Service Recovery Plan, substantially as

described in Attachment A to this ordinance, is hereby approved and shall be implemented at the commencement of the spring 2023 service change.