Heraldnet.com
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009 6:11 am
LocalNorthwestNation & WorldPoliticsSpecial ReportsPhotosColumnistsMultimedia 
Herald Editorial Board

Bob Bolerjack,
Opinion Editor
bolerjack@heraldnet.com

Carol MacPherson,
Editorial Writer
cmacpherson@
heraldnet.com


Allen Funk,
Herald Publisher
funk@heraldnet.com

Kim Heltne,
Assistant to the Publisher
heltne@heraldnet.com

Send letters to the editor by e-mail to letters@heraldnet.com, by fax to 425-339-3458 or mail to The Herald - Letters, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.

 
WEEK IN REVIEW
Wednesday
Student hit in crosswalk to return
81 veterans' names, 81 meaningful lives honored...
USO singer's voice still charms them in Edmonds
Tuesday


Fire destroys Emory's restaurant
Peggy Pritchard Olson always put Edmonds first
Camano Island burglaries spike: Is Colton back?
Monday


Tree clearing, mud slide angers Everett neighbor
Later start for school day unlikely in Marysville
Hopes for Snohomish excursion train may hinge o...
Sunday


Glacier Peak freshman overcomes jitters to win ...
Gay marriage issue can wait, say Referendum 71 ...
Cities across south Snohomish County see tax re...
Saturday


Thousands honor slain Seattle police officer Ti...
Suspect identified in Seattle police killing
Mountlake Terrace thrilled by high school's fir...
Friday


Officer Timothy Brenton. Gone, but not forgotten
Person sought in officer's killing is shot in head
Thousands to pay respects to slain Seattle poli...
Thursday


Tale of 1916 Everett Massacre retold in style o...
Reservist survived Iraq but not his return to c...
Swine flu suspected in infant’s death
 

ADVERTISEMENT

Editorials   Print This Article  Email This Page  Subscribe Now! facebook digg reddit del.icio.us fark stumble

 
ADVERTISEMENT

 
HAVE YOUR SAY
Feel strongly about something? Share it with the community by writing a letter to the editor.
You’ll need to include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) We reserve the right to edit letters, but if you keep yours to 250 words or less, we won’t ask you to shorten it. If your letter is published, please wait 30 days before submitting another.
Send it to:
E-mail: letters@heraldnet.com
Mail: Letters section
The Herald
P.O. Box 930
Everett, WA 98206
Fax: 425-339-3458
Have a question about letters? Contact Carol MacPherson (cmacpherson@heraldnet.com or 425-339-3472).
 
Published: Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Commuters are voting with their bus fares

Whether it's rising gas prices, worsening traffic or a growing green ethic -- or perhaps all three -- more and more commuters are getting on the bus.

Community Transit reports that its annual ridership grew by 10 percent last year, to a record 10.9 million riders. Similar increases are being seen this year, too. Ridership between Snohomish County and Seattle was up 7.6 percent last year over 2006, but the biggest gains were on routes within Snohomish County -- 11.4 percent. And given that local service accounts for about 70 percent of CT's total ridership, that's some significant congestion relief on local roads.

It's also a nice return on the investment we all make in CT. The 0.9 percent sales tax in CT's service area -- essentially all of Snohomish County except Everett, where a 0.6 percent sales tax supports Everett Transit -- is yielding benefits for all commuters, even those who never take a bus.

While market forces are surely boosting ridership, CT has done its part to make transit a more attractive option and to keep up with increased demand.

Monday's announcement that CT will order 23 new double-decker buses for its commuter routes to King County is the latest example. Besides the obvious cool factor, the "Double Tall" coaches will seat more riders than the 60-foot articulated buses they'll replace, while using less freeway and parking space. And because of their superior stability and handling, they'll keep running on snow days, unlike the 60-footers.

Meanwhile, work continues toward a 2009 launch of CT's Bus Rapid Transit service along Highway 99 between Everett and Aurora Village. Comfortable new diesel/electric hybrid buses will stop every few minutes along the corridor, just as light rail would -- at a fraction of the cost.

CT spokesman Martin Munguia reports that the new Mountlake Terrace Park & Ride garage is scheduled to open in February 2009, tripling the number of parking spaces there, and that a new Marysville Park & Ride with 200 spaces should open by summer 2009. Since those facilities are expensive to build, CT is also looking to expand its Park & Pool program, Munguia said, where the agency leases parking spaces that go unused during the week -- like at churches -- for vanpool riders.

If light rail ever connects Snohomish County and Seattle, it's likely decades away. Sound Transit commuter rail is a good option for some, but won't run more than four round trips per day during peak commutes.

For the foreseeable future, bus service will be the county's primary form of transit. For a growing number of Snohomish County commuters, that seems quite agreeable.

1. Emory’s owner fears fire was arson
2. Monroe honking case makes it to state Supreme Court
3. Vatican ponders the souls in space
4. 81 veterans' names, 81 meaningful lives honored in Snohomish
5. Hope dims that Olympics will boost region
6. Student hit in crosswalk to return
7. Smokey Point to celebrate end of roadwork
8. Death on Edmonds waterfront ruled a suicide
9. Help for young moms may continue
10. Semifinal slate sealed on ‘Dancing With Stars’
Enterprise Newspaper Snohomish County Business Journal
Bazaar Fever
Hawks proud of historic season
Olson always put Edmonds first
Honoring student veterans
‘Wheedle' author comes to Lynnwood bookshop
Mavs build early lead en route to easy win
Prep football games of the week (state playoffs)
Tears of laughter, tears of grief
Death on Edmonds beach likely a suicide
The Enterprise Online Newspaper


15% Off Your
First Time Purchase

Family Night Free Sundae
$9.99 Prime Rib

All you can Eat Buffets
Angel of the Winds

Free Dessert!
Click here!

Free Garlic Bread/Free Soda
Click here for details!

$2 OFF
at Box Office

$1 off French Dip
$4.99 Burger Basket

$5 Off
Stylecut

Pacific Northwest
Fresh Cuisine

Lube, Oil & Filter
Buy 1 - Get 1 FREE

FREE Appetizer w/
purchase of 2 entrees

$5 OFF
Lunch or Dinner

QuadraFire Save $250
Free Smart-Stat

FREE 6 lb. Pad w/
30yd Carpet Purchase

25% off Bath & Groom
New Customers

50% off 2nd Pizza
Special Click Here!

Great Food
24 Hours a Day

20% off Click Here*
Buy 1 Offer Click Here*

20% Off Dinner
Up to $75 Value!

Buffet Dining
Tulalip Resort

Island Flavors with
Finest NW Ingredients

FREE Appetizer with any
purchase daily 2-6pm

Come and Relax
Monthly Specials

$1 off French Dip
$4.99 Burger Basket
50th Street Burger
TODAY'S TOP JOBS
 View All Top Jobs 
Top Cars
Top Homes

ADVERTISEMENT