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1980
- Gerald Haugh named new transit director.
- C. Carey Donworth retires as Metro Council's first chair and is succeeded by Dr. Gary Zimmerman.
- King County voters reject additional percent transit sales tax on September 16, but narrowly approve second request on November 4 increasing transit's share from 0.3 percent to 0.6 percent.
- Two-zone fare system raised to 50 cents and 75 cents.
- Metro Central Base expansion completed.
- Annual ridership at 66.1 million, more than twice the annual ridership Metro had inherited in 1973.
Central Base, 2002.
1981
- Metro establishes Downtown Seattle Transit Project and signs agreement with Bellevue to build transit center and expand services.
- Metro Employees Historic Vehicle Association (MEHVA) is founded to preserve the rolling stock from Seattle and King County's transit heritage.
- Puget Sound Council of Governments launches new light-rail transit study.
- Annual ridership at 66 million.
1982
1983
- Metro Council approves downtown Seattle transit tunnel and use of dual-propulsion buses.
- Metro takes over Seattle-King County Commuter Pool.
- American Public Transit Association (APTA) names Metro Transit best major system in the nation.
- 85 percent of the population in King County lives within five blocks of a Metro route.
1984
- Alan Gibbs becomes Metro executive director.
- Metro Council establishes a historic bus fleet and appoints MEHVA as the curator.
- Annual ridership at 65.7 million.
1985
- Peak fares increase to 65 cents and $1.
- Bellevue and Aurora Village Transit Centers open.
- Metro establishes an arts program to incorporate public art into its construction projects, particularly in the downtown tunnel.
- First "Driver Appreciation Day" is held.
- Annual ridership at 64.8 million.
1986
- Metro signs "Eastside Action Plan" to expand suburban services and agrees to share downtown Seattle bus stops with Snohomish County's Community Transit.
- Annual ridership at 63 million.
1987
- Boring of downtown transit tunnel begins on March 6.
- MAN articulated trolley buses enter service (but must be recalled for one year to repair braking problems).
- Discovery of contractor's use of South African steel prompts Metro Council to adopt formal anti-aparheid policy.
- New park-and-ride lots open in South Federal Way and the Renton Highlands.
- The Mercer Bus Base (originally North Seattle Base) near the Seattle Center closes as the expanded Metro Ryerson Base opens as an operating and maintenance base.
- Metro negotiates Vanpool agreement with Boeing to provide ridesharing options for Boeing. It adds 750 daily riders and 98 vans to Metro's Vanpool fleet.
- Annual ridership declines to 61.4 million passengers.
1988
- Main downtown transit tunnel excavation finished on April 8.
- Houghton Park-and-Ride in Kirkland opens in April.
- Seattle City Councilmember George Benson assumes chair of Transit Committee.
- U.S. Department of Transportation cites Metro's maintenance program as the best among public transit agencies.
- Paul Toliver named transit director in October.
- King County voters approve advisory proposition to accelerate rail transit planning on November 8.
- Revelation of purchase of South African granite for transit tunnel prompts investigation.
- Peak fares increase to 75 cents and $1.25.
- Metro employees team up in the "Drive for Excellence" campaign to implement their own ideas to increase ridership. Results exceed the goal.
- 3,000 people respond to a 9-week marketing campaign offering free "test-ride" kits.
- Annual ridership rebounds to 67.6 million.
Paul Toliver, 1987.
1989
- "Granite-gate" scandal leads Alan Gibbs to tender resignation in February, although Metro Council exonerates him of any violation of anti-apartheid policy.
- Dick Sandaas named new executive director in September.
- ACLU and four citizens file suit on October 29 challenging constitutionality of Metro Council representation.
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