EVERETT — Community Transit is in the process of getting its budget settled for next year, and with it, potentially big increases in transit service in Snohomish County.
Its proposed 2025 budget is $254 million for operating costs. Separately, the agency has a $206 million capital budget for large, long-term projects.
Community Transit has reorganized itself around light rail, which finally opened in Snohomish County at the end of August. It took away many of its Snohomish County to Seattle bus routes, replacing them with more ways to access light rail in Lynnwood and Shoreline.
The agency also launched its new bus rapid transit line — Swift Orange — earlier this year. The route cuts through the middle of Lynnwood.
Now, Community Transit continues to eye expansion.
“In 2024, Snohomish County residents saw the biggest transit changes in decades. The opening of the Swift Orange Line and Lynnwood light rail extension gave residents access to more frequent transit service throughout the county and region,” Community Transit CEO Ric Ilgenfritz said in a press release. “In 2025, we will continue growing and innovating as well listening to customers and adapt our service offerings to better meet their needs.”
For example, the agency wants to expand the vanpool program, which currently has a waiting list. Vanpools, allowing daily commuters to rent a van from the agency, represent about 17% of all fares.
Community Transit is connecting deeper into Bothell with the Swift Green line, and now runs its buses to the north Shoreline light rail station, as well.
Other upcoming costs for the agency will include a switch to zero-emission vehicles and the creation of the Swift Gold Line, providing rapid transit service from Smokey Point to Everett Station by 2029.
By 2050, Community Transit expects to spend about $1.4 billion to fully transition to zero-emission service. The agency hopes to purchase 19 hydrogen and 40 electric buses by 2027. The proposed budget includes money to begin designing how to incorporate zero-emission technology at its Hardeson Road and Kasch Park bases.
Community Transit plans to deliver more hours of service across all modes than in the current 2024 forecast. The agency provided 559,658 service hours in 2023, and projects to have over 663,000 for 2024. And for 2025, it is budgeting for more than 800,000 service hours.
The agency provided 7.1 million passenger trips in 2023, up from 5.8 million in 2022, but still down from 11.1 million in 2019.
Community Transit is projecting 8.6 million passenger trips in 2024 and 10 million in 2025. The agency also saw over 20% gains in weekend ridership between 2022 and 2023.
In the proposed budget, three-quarters of the agency’s general fund is funded through a 1.2% sales tax within its transportation benefit area. Essentially, if there’s a Community Transit route nearby, the area is paying that tax.
Following several strong economic years, however, the agency is expecting the local economy to cool.
“Community Transit has experienced flat sales tax collections in 2024; the expectation is that this revenue source will decline by nearly 1% from 2023 actual collections,” the budget states. “After several years of unexpectedly strong consumer and business spending in Snohomish County, we have seen a slowdown in collections of sales tax during the current year. The 2025 budget predicts a return to modest growth in sales tax collections.”
About 4% of the agency’s operating revenue comes from fares, with 5% coming from grants and 8% from Sound Transit. It expects $11 million in fares in 2025, up from a projected $10 million this year. About 2.5% of the agency’s operating revenue comes from the state.
The agency is expecting decreased state and federal grant funding. Costs, including fuel, insurance and parts, are increasing, as well. Over half the transit agency’s operating revenue — about $140 million in the proposed budget — goes toward personnel.
The number of full-time equivalent positions has jumped in recent years, from 906.5 in 2023 to a projected 1,093.5 in the proposed 2025 budget. The agency plans to hire 12 new security officers and upgrade cameras at stations.
The board of directors will vote on the budget at its December meeting.
Jordan Hansen: 425-339-3046; jordan.hansen@heraldnet.com; X: @jordyhansen.
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