Solving Metro Shortfall

 Recent articles in both the Seattle Times and the Bellevue Reporter have painted a dire picture for King County Metro finances.  Metro, with nearly 120 million riders annually, is apparently facing a $75 million shortfall that will force route changes losing up to 14 million riders annually.  County officials are considering offering a .1-.2% sales tax hike and a $60-80 car tab proposal to the public in early 2014 to cover the shortfall.

In the meantime Sound Transit, with 28.4 million riders, is spending money like the proverbial “drunken sailor”.  For example, in 2013, they budgeted spending $92.4 million expanding a Sounder Rail system that already costs nearly $40 million to operate, and has a projected annual ridership of only 2.8 million.  All to provide rides for those who “prefer” trains to buses.

Their 2013 budget of  $1.1 billion exceeds projected income by $264 million, at least the 3^rd year in a row with a similar deficit.   The shortfall will increase dramatically when the $500 million spent in 2013 on light rail extensions expands to the nearly $2 billion required to complete the nearly $20 billion Prop 1 package over the next ten years.  When completed the

huge construction debt and increased subsidies needed to operate over the longer routes will create a perpetual financial “black hole” and do absolutely nothing to alleviate congestion.  

What’s really absurd is they are currently seeking “public” input on
“long term” improvements beyond the Prop 1 extensions.  It reminds me of a Mad magazine “What me worry?” attitude. 

This area supposedly has the “4^th worst congestion in the country”.   Forcing Metro to endure their projected cuts will only add to the problem.  Forcing Sound Transit to redirect their projected spending on Prop 1 extensions to Metro is a far better way to reduce it than asking voters to approve another burdensome tax increase.