Past Issues
2016
Executive Constantine names new GM for Metro, the nation’s 10th largest transit service
October 25, 2016
King County Executive Dow Constantine named Rob Gannon as General Manager for Metro Transit. Gannon currently serves as interim General Manager. His position is subject to confirmation by the King County Council.…Read more
2015
Giving you the information you want, faster
December 18, 2015
This has been an extraordinary year for Metro. We were able to add about 230,000 hours of service, giving many of our customers more-frequent, more-reliable, and less-crowded bus rides…Read more
Teaming up to take on gridlock
November 16, 2015
A recent headline in the Seattle Times summed up what we’ve all been experiencing: “More drivers, more gridlock, more delays.”…Read more
More Metro service improvements start Saturday
September 24, 2015
Metro bus service will get better in Seattle and across King County starting Sept. 26—and there's more to come as we continue working with partner agencies to deliver more frequent, well-connected, easy to use public transportation…Read more
Metro's new trolleys are purple, green, and easy to ride
August 19, 2015
Five of Metro's brand new, state-of-the-art electric trolley buses start service today—the first of 110 40-foot trolleys we'll be rolling out this year. What a fitting way to mark the 75th anniversary of Seattle's trolley system!…Read more
How well is Metro performing? Read our version of "Consumer Reports"
July 28, 2015
Like Consumer Reports, it uses simple symbols to show you—and us—how well we're progressing toward our strategic plan goals…Read more
Service improvements support growing economy
June 8, 2015
I can look out the windows of Metro's Pioneer Square office building and count 10 construction cranes, and that tells me something. Our economy is surging, and Metro buses are more important than ever—to get people to work, keep congestion in check, and ease the impact of some of those big construction projects…Read more
Tailored to fit: Metro's alternative services
May 28, 2015
You're familiar with Metro buses, but do you know about our alternative services? Metro is working with communities where regular bus service isn't available or isn't the best fit, developing innovative, customized services to meet local transportation needs…Read more
Service increases will benefit bus riders countywide
May 5, 2015
I'm very pleased that Metro will be increasing service on 54 suburban bus routes across King County starting this fall, as announced last week by County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Ed Murray…Read more
It's your turn to help build a transit system for the future
March 18, 2015
In the 1960s, civic activists envisioned a better bus system for King County. They persisted through numerous unsuccessful attempts to get public approval, and finally, in 1972, voters authorized Metro to build a regional transit system…Read more
It's official: Seattle to get more bus service
February 23, 2015
On Feb. 17, both the King County Council and the Seattle City Council approved a contract for the city to purchase about 10 percent more Metro bus service in Seattle…Read more
My New Year's prediction: 2015 will be big for Metro
January 9, 2015
I'm excited about 2015 — it promises to be a watershed year for Metro. Our financial situation has improved thanks to our many efficiency gains, a stronger economy, lower fuel costs, and Seattle voters who approved funding for increased Metro service…Read more
2014
Moving toward service improvements on many fronts
November 7, 2014
Seattle voters' resounding approval of transit funding was the highlight of this week. We're looking forward to partnering with the city to substantially expand and improve Metro bus routes serving Seattle residents…Read more
Reducing service and making the most of every transit dollar
August 1, 2014
After action by the King County Council last week, Metro is moving forward with fall service reductions that are necessary to bring our service in line with available funding…Read more
It's in the numbers — just-released data show how Metro is doing
July 3, 2014
We just released a report full of data about how Metro measures up to the public’s expectations. Is our service reliable? Are customers satisfied? How do our costs compare with other agencies?…Read more
RapidRide delivered as promised, under budget — and just look at the results
June 27, 2014
Metro’s RapidRide program crossed the finish line a winner this month as we rolled out our sixth and final line. With the launch of the F Line, we completed this big new program under budget, largely on schedule, and with all the great service features we had promised…Read more
2013
Metro responded quickly to altercation between driver, passenger
December 13, 2013
Today the news media are reporting on a serious altercation between a Metro bus driver and a passenger that occurred in November. I want to assure you that Metro responded quickly to this incident, placing the driver on leave, investigating thoroughly, and then terminating the driver's employment based on what we found…Read more
Get on board to fight climate change
April 22, 2013
Looking for a meaningful way to observe Earth Day? Ride Metro! You won't find a more effective way to help reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions in our community…Read more
2012
Landmark changes will lead to better service for more riders
September 7, 2012
Later this month, Metro will be making one of our biggest-ever revisions to bus service. Read more
Just in time: System improvements will help Metro meet rising demand
April 12, 2012
If you've filled your gas tank lately, you probably won't be surprised to hear that Metro's ridership is growing. Read more
We're transforming our system - and facing a new threat
February 13, 2012
People throughout King County came together last year around a new approach to making Metro a sustainable transit system… Read more
2011
New budget will provide two years of stability, improvements
November 18, 2011
The King County Council last week adopted a new, two-year budget for Metro that preserves our current level of transit service in 2012 and 2013…Read more
We're taking steps to make the bus system more productive, effective
November 3, 2011
Metro is beginning to advance plans to change our transit system in 2012. Our goals are to improve service quality and to make transit networks more productive and effective…Read more
Service changes starting Saturday will keep people moving
September 29, 2011
We just learned that the Puget Sound area ranks 10th in the nation for percentage of workers who commute by transit…Read more
Council action will bring stability, new efficiencies
August 19, 2011
Over the past three years, as a drop in sales tax revenue opened a yawning gap in Metro Transit's budget, we have worked hard to maintain bus service by cutting costs…Open PDF
Debunking myths about Metro's efficiency
July 25, 2011
As the showdown nears today over King County Council enactment of the $20 car tab fee to save Metro bus service, I have a responsibility to debunk the myths being advanced at the last minute by the Washington Policy Center…Open PDF
Executive requests Council action to move Metro toward financial sustainability
June 20, 2011
King County Executive Dow Constantine this morning asked the King County Council to make important decisions about the future of Metro Transit…Open PDF
Cutting costs by acting on audit recommendations
May 23, 2011
The King County Auditor’s Office conducted a performance audit of Metro in 2009, and gave us a number of recommendations for managing costs. Open PDF
Metro offers many ways to go green
April 22, 2011
Today, as many as a quarter-million people might use Metro services—an excellent way to observe Earth Day. Open PDF
Click and learn about Metro's budget
March 31, 2011
If you've ever had questions about where Metro's funding comes from or how the funds are used, we have a new tool to help you get answers. Open PDF
New 10-year plan will lead to a stronger public transportation system
March 1, 2011
We are changing here at Metro. Over the past two years, we have become leaner and more efficient to preserve as much bus service as possible…Open PDF
What's ahead for Metro in 2011
Jan. 10, 2011
A new year is a time to start fresh and do some things differently-and that's certainly true for Metro Transit in 2011. Here's a glimpse of what's ahead for us. Open PDF
2010
Join us in preparing for travel when it snows
November 22, 2010
Snow has been falling around King County today—and forecasters agree that this winter will be colder and wetter than normal, thanks to La Niña. Here at Metro, we’ve spent many months preparing to operate as safely and reliably as possible when roads are snowy or icy, and to keep our riders informed about changes in service…Open PDF
Regional Transit Task Force sets new course for Metro
November 8, 2010
King County’s Regional Transit Task Force submitted its final report today, making recommendations that, if adopted, will guide Metro's future strategic direction, service allocation decisions and continued improvement in productivity…Open PDF
What our recent budget review found
October 20, 2010
The recession has battered the budgets of transit agencies across the nation. How is Metro's holding up? We just completed a mid-point review of our two-year (2010-2011) budget to answer that question…Open PDF
Launch of the RapidRide A Line
October 1, 2010
I am pleased to announce that Metro is about to launch an exciting new generation of bus service—RapidRide…Open PDF
Rob Gannon
General Manager, King County Metro Transit
If you live in King county, Metro is your public transportation system. I want you to know about our performance and the innovative service improvements we’re bringing your way.
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