What’s Left if Sound Transit Terminated?

The previous post concluded the state’s legislators should either fund a light rail train vs bus transit system comparison or require Sound Transit to fund the comparison.  The “likely” result raises questions like the May 4^th Seattle Times front page article “What’s next if homelessness agency is wound down?”.  What would terminating Sound Transit do to the area’s transportation system?   

Sound Transit’s 2026 Adopted Budget & Financial Plan details both the operating and project budgets. The operating budget provides $912.8 million to fund contracts with King County Metro getting 61% of budget to operate the Link Light Rail, King County Metro, Community Transit, and Pierce transit share 22% of the budget for ST Express Bus, and BNSF Railway 14% for Sounder Community Rail.  The T Line link between the Tacoma Dome through the city to Tacoma Community College, the only light rail system operated directly by Sound Transit was 3% of its 2026 budget.

It's not clear how many commuters would be affected if Sound Transit was terminated as they have still failed to provide any boarding data in 2026 despite having the ability to monitor boarders on all the transit modes.  King County Metro could continue operating the existing 1 Line and 2 Line routes. The three county transit systems could continue their current ST Express bus routes as needed to meet demand. It’s “unlikely” the BNSF Railway will continue to provide transit for the ~2000 annual Sounder riders whose fares for 2025 totaled $7000. The city of Tacoma could fund the T Line if deemed worthy of costs. 

What would end if Sound Transit were terminated was the need for a $2.1 billion Projects Budget with $1,855 million on System expansion and $205 million on Service Delivery.  There would be no Sound Transit staff with 1914 positions, a budget of $1,138.9 million, and an 18-member board, each compensated more than $200,000 annually to service as directors.

Light rail extensions beyond Lynnwood and Federal Way would be terminated as well as planned maintenance facilities.  There would be no second tunnel, light rail to Bothell, or second bridge across Duwamish waterway to West Seattle.  King County Metro would likely terminate the 2 Line at existing CID station and use Eastside demand to schedule operation. Funds saved could be used to pay off existing debt and Sound Transit terminated.

The bottom line is what’s left if Sound Transit were terminated seems far better than what will be left if it’s not.