King County

Regional Transit Committee

King County

Meeting Agenda

1200 King County Courthouse

516 Third Avenue Seattle, WA 98104

Councilmembers: Dave Upthegrove, Chair

Joe McDermott, Girmay Zahilay Alternate: Claudia Balducci

Sound Cities Association: Jennifer Robertson, Bellevue, Vice Chair, Bellevue; Bob Baggett, Auburn; Susan Chang, Shoreline; Leanne

Guier, Pacific; Kim Lisk, Carnation; Ryan McIrvin, Renton; Jon Pascal, Kirkland; Toni Troutner, Kent Alternates: Jeralee Anderson, Redmond; Joseph Cimaomo Jr., Covington; Dave Hill, Algona; Mary Lou Pauly,

Issaquah

City of Seattle: Debora Juarez, Dan Strauss

Alternate: Andrew Lewis

Lead Staff: Mary Bourguignon (206-263-3296) Committee Clerk: Angelica Calderon (206-477-0874)

Virtual Meeting 3:00 PM Wednesday, February 17, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE: The Regional Transit Committee meetings will be held virtually until further notice. To help prevent the spread of the COVID 19 virus, the chambers will be closed and all committee members and staff will be participating in the meeting remotely.

Pursuant to K.C.C. 1.24.035 A. and F., this meeting is also noticed as a meeting of the Metropolitan King County Council, whose agenda is limited to the committee business. In this meeting only the rules and procedures applicable to committees apply and not those applicable to full council meetings.

HOW TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT: The Regional Transit Committee values community input and look forward to hearing from you on agenda items.

The Committee will accept public comment on items on today’s agenda in writing. You may do so by submitting your written comments to [email protected]. If your comments are submitted before 1:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting, your comments will be distributed to the committee members and appropriate staff prior to the meeting.

Printed on 2/5/2021 Page 1 King County

RTC Meeting Packet Page 1 February 17, 2021

mailto:[email protected]

February 17, 2021 Regional Transit Committee Meeting Agenda

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN TO THE MEETING: There are several ways to watch or listen in to the meeting:

1) Stream online via this link: https://livestream.com/accounts/15175343/events/4485487 or inputthe link web address into your web browser.

2) Watch King County TV Channel 22 (Comcast Channel 22 and 322(HD), Wave BroadbandChannel 22)

3) Listen to the meeting by telephone.

Dial: 1 253 215 8782 Meeting ID: 922 6944 4186 Password: 498642

To help us manage the meeting, please use the Livestream or King County TV options, if possible, to watch or listen to the meeting.

1. Call to Order

2. Roll Call

3. Approval of Minutes pp. 5-6

Minutes of January 20, 2021 meeting.

Chair's Report4.

General Manager's Report5.

Announcements6.

Discussion/Possible Action

7. RTC Resolution No. RTC2021-01 pp. 9-16

A RESOLUTION adopting the 2021 work plan for the King County regional transit committee.

Mary Bourguignon, Council Staff


To show a PDF of the written materials for an agenda item, click on the agenda item below.


https://livestream.com/accounts/15175343/events/4485487

February 17, 2021 Regional Transit Committee Meeting Agenda

Briefing

8. Briefing No. 2021-B0028 pp. 17-50

Service Guidelines Update

Katie Chalmers, Service Planning Supervisor, Metro Transit Department.

Other Business

Adjournment




1200 King County Courthouse

516 Third Avenue Seattle, WA 98104

King County

Meeting Minutes Regional Transit Committee

Councilmembers: Dave Upthegrove, Chair

Joe McDermott, Girmay Zahilay Alternate: Claudia Balducci

Sound Cities Association: Jennifer Robertson, Bellevue, Vice Chair, Bellevue; Bob Baggett,

Auburn; Susan Chang, Shoreline; Leanne Guier, Pacific; Kim Lisk, Carnation; Ryan McIrvin, Renton; Jon Pascal, Kirkland;

Toni Troutner, Kent Alternates: Jeralee Anderson, Redmond; Joseph Cimaomo Jr.,

Covington; Dave Hill, Algona; Mary Lou Pauly, Issaquah

City of Seattle: Debora Juarez, Dan Strauss

Alternate: Andrew Lewis

Lead Staff: Mary Bourguignon (206-263-3296) Committee Clerk: Angelica Calderon (206-477-0874)

3:00 PM Virtual Meeting Wednesday, January 20, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE: The meeting of the Regional Transit Committee for January 20, 2021, will be held virtually. To help prevent the spread of the COVID 19 virus, the chambers will be closed and all committee members and staff will be participating in the meeting remotely. Pursuant to K.C.C. 1.24.035 A. and F., this meeting is also noticed as a meeting of the Metropolitan King County Council, whose agenda is limited to the committee business. In this meeting only the rules and procedures applicable to committees apply and not those applicable to full council meetings.

HOW TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT: The Regional Transit Committee values community input and look forward to hearing from you on agenda items.

The Committee will only accept public comment on items on the current agenda that have been emailed to [email protected]. If your comments are submitted before 1:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting, they will be distributed to the Committee members and appropriate staff prior to the meeting.

Page 1 King County


January 20, 2021 Regional Transit Committee Meeting Minutes

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN TO THE MEETING: There are several ways to watch or listen in to the meeting:

1) Stream online via this link:https://livestream.com/accounts/15175343/events/4485487 or input the linkweb address into your web browser.

2) Watch King County TV Channel 22 (Comcast Channel 22 and 322(HD),Wave Broadband Channel 22)

3) Listen to the meeting by telephone.

Dial: 1 253 215 8782 Meeting ID: 960 2387 7008 Password: 053398 To help us manage the meeting, please use the Livestream or King County TV options, if possible, to watch or listen to the meeting.

Call to Order1.Chair Upthegrove called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.

Roll Call2.Mr. Baggett, Ms. Chang, Ms. Guier, Ms. Lisk, Mr. McDermott, Mr. McIrvin, Mr. Pascal, Mr. Upthegrove, Ms. Robertson, Mr. Strauss, Ms. Troutner, Mr. Zahilay, Ms. Anderson, Mr. Cimaomo Jr. and Ms. Pauly

Present: 15 -

Ms. Juarez Excused: 1 -

Approval of Minutes3.Mayor Guier moved approval of the minutes of the November 30, 2020 meeting. Seeing no objections, the minutes were approved.

Chair's Report4.Chair Upthegrove welcomed the members and introduced Councilmember Cimaomo, Jr. as the newest member to the committee. Councilmember Cimaomo, Jr. thanked the chair and provided remarks.

General Manager's Report5.Metro Transit General Manager Terry White shared the December debut of the Rider Dashboard. "The Dash" is an interactive tool that shares information on ridership impact, rider mask use, buses at capacity and missed stops. He also noted that Metro is seeking community input about updating Route 160 to the RapidRide I line connecting Renton to Kent to Auburn, which is scheduled to launch in 2023. And he reported that Crossroads Connect launched in October, and that the service hours and area have recently been expanded. Finally, he commented on a second round of federal transit funds which will be a one

Page 2 King County



time funding source to help Metro offset pandemic related losses.

Announcements6.There were no announcements.

Discussion/Possible Action

7. Briefing No. 2021-B0007

Selection of Vice Chair

Mayor Guier moved the nomination of Councilmember Robertson as the 2021 Vice Chair of the Regional Transit Committee. The motion passed unanimously.

This matter was Presented

8. Proposed Motion No. 2021-0004

A MOTION relating to the King County Metro Transit Strategic Plan for Public Transportation 2011-2021 and King County Metro Transit Service Guidelines and accepting the King County Metro Transit 2020 SystemEvaluation.

Sponsors: Mr. Dembowski and Mr. Upthegrove

Mary Bourguignon, Committee staff, briefed the committee and answered questions from the members.

Due to the design of the legislative tracking software used to produce the proceedings, the vote on this item is misreported. The correct vote is:

Votes: Yes: 9 Mr. Upthegrove, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Zahilay, Ms. Guier, Ms. Lisk, Mr. McIrvin, Mr. Pascal, Ms. Robertson, Ms. Troutner, Ms. Anderson (voting as an alternate for Mr. Baggett) and Mr. Cimaomo Jr. (voting as an alternate for Ms. Chang) No: 0 Excused: 3 – Mr. Baggett, Ms. Chang, Ms. Juarez and Mr. Strauss

A motion was made by Councilmember Robertson that this Motion be Recommended Do Pass. The motion carried by the following vote:

Yes: Ms. Guier, Ms. Lisk, Mr. McDermott, Mr. McIrvin, Mr. Pascal, Mr. Upthegrove, Ms. Robertson, Ms. Troutner, Mr. Zahilay, Ms. Anderson and Mr. Cimaomo Jr.

13.5 -

Excused: Mr. Baggett, Ms. Chang, Ms. Juarez, Mr. Strauss and Ms. Pauly 5 -

Briefing


2021 Regional Transit Committee Work Plan

Mary Bourguignon, Committee staff, briefed the committee and answered questions from the members. Tessa McClellan, Government Relations Administrator, Metro Transit Department, also answered questions from the members.

Page 3 King County





Strategic Plan Update

Tessa McClellan, Government Relations Administrator, and Sarah Hospador, Senior Business Analyst, Metro Transit Department, briefed the committee via a PowerPoint presentation and answered questions from the members.


Other Business There was no other business to come before the committee.

Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m.

Approved this _____________ day of _________________

Clerk's Signature

Page 4 King County


Metropolitan King County Council Regional Transit Committee

STAFF REPORT

Agenda Item: 7 Name: Mary Bourguignon Proposed No.: RTC2021-01 Date: February 17, 2021 SUBJECT Resolution RTC2021-01 would adopt the 2021 work plan for the Regional Transit Committee. SUMMARY The King County Charter directs that the Regional Transit Committee (RTC) be primarily responsible for developing, recommending, and reviewing regional transit policies and plans such as the long-range transit system plan and service allocation policies.1 The King County Council’s rule for regional committees2 calls for the Chair to consult with the Vice Chair “in developing a draft work program for consideration by the full committee.” Resolution RTC2021-01 would adopt a 2021 work plan for the RTC. The work plan is based on the committee’s discussion in January, as well as consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair. BACKGROUND The RTC is one of three committees formed in the 1990s when voters approved the merger of King County and the Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle, which at the time provided transit and wastewater services. King County's Charter3 directs that RTC be primarily responsible for developing, recommending, and reviewing regional transit policies and plans for consideration by the King County Council. The King County Council’s rules state that:

The regional transit committee shall develop, review and recommend countywide policies and plans related to the transportation services formerly provided by the municipality of metropolitan Seattle. Plans and policies that must be assigned to the committee include, but are not

1 King County Charter Section 270.30 2 Rule 7 (K.C.C. 1.24.065) 3 King County Charter Section 270.30


limited to, the long-range transit system and capital improvement plans, service design, development and allocation policies, financial policies, fare policies, facility siting policy and major facilities siting process, and review and comment upon Regional Transit Authority plans.4

The Council’s rules also require the RTC Chair to consult with the Vice Chair in “developing a draft work program for consideration by the full committee.”5 Resolution RTC2021-01: RTC Work Plan for 2021 Resolution RTC2021-01 describes the RTC’s responsibilities and includes, as Attachment A, a 2021 work plan for the committee. The work plan is based on the committee’s discussion at its January meeting, as well as consultation between the Chair and Vice Chair. The work plan is primarily focused around Metro’s efforts to update its three policy documents during 2021 using a process outlined by motion:6

• The Strategic Plan for Public Transportation,7 which outlines Metro’s goals, strategies, and performance measures;

• The Service Guidelines,8 which guide day-to-day delivery of transit service by helping Metro set targets for the level of transit service to be provided, evaluate performance, and add, reduce, or change service; and

• Metro Connects,9 which is the adopted long-range plan, with a goal of increasing bus service hours by 70 percent between 2015 and 2040.

The RTC devoted most of its time during 2020 to briefings and discussions on these three policy documents, focusing on areas proposed by Metro staff for potential changes or updates. The 2021 work plan outlines a process for this review to continue and then for the committee to begin deliberations on the transmitted updates to the policy documents. Phase 1: January – May | Preparation for Policy Updates. The first phase outlined in the work plan would continue the RTC’s 2020 progress in reviewing and discussing potential changes and updates to Metro’s policy documents, with briefings on proposed updates to the Strategic Plan, Service Guidelines, and Metro Connects. As part of the policy update preparation, Metro has been required by budget proviso to provide a letter and briefing to the RTC and Council on its approach to post-pandemic

4 Rule 7 (KCC 1.24.065.K.2) 5 Rule 7 (KCC 1.24.065.B.5.a(1)) 6 Motion 15618 7 Ordinance 18301 Attachment A 8 Ordinance 18301 Attachment B 9 Ordinance 18449 Attachment A


service restoration and major service restructures.10 This briefing is noted on the work plan for March. During this first portion of the year, the RTC also reviewed and accepted Metro’s 2020 System Evaluation report,11 which is an annual evaluation of transit service performance and investment needs based on the criteria set forth in the Service Guidelines.12 Phase 2: June – July | Post-pandemic Service Restoration. During June and July, while Metro is finalizing work on the policy updates, the work plan notes that the RTC will discuss Metro’s ongoing planning efforts around post-pandemic recovery and service restoration. Phase 3: August – December | Review of Transmitted Policy Documents. With a planned transmittal of the updated policy documents in late July, the RTC could begin deliberations as early as its August meeting.13 The work plan notes that the committee will spend the final part of the year engaged in discussion and possible action around the policy documents. Once the policy documents and their accompanying legislation are transmitted, the Chair and Vice Chair will propose a more detailed review schedule, in consultation with committee members and the Council’s Mobility and Environment Committee,14 as well as in deference to the Public Health guidance in effect in late 2021, which will determine whether the committee will be able to resume meeting in person. The RTC will also review the 2021 System Evaluation report. The work plan also notes that each RTC meeting will include a report from the Metro General Manager, which will include timely updates as well as topics suggested by RTC members. Next Steps Although the RTC is not required to take formal action to adopt an annual work plan, approval of Resolution RTC2021-01 will adopt the work plan to provide a clear legislative record of the committee’s work for the year. ATTACHMENTS

1. Resolution RTC2021-01 and its attachment

10 Ordinance 19210, Section 113, Proviso P7 11 Ordinance 17143, as amended by Ordinance 17597 12 Ordinance 18301 13 Please note that the RTC often cancels its August and December meetings in deference to legislative recess schedules. 14 The policy updates will be referred to both committees as a mandatory dual referral.


ATTACHMENT 1

KING COUNTY

Signature Report

1200 King County Courthouse 516 Third Avenue Seattle, WA 98104

RTC Resolution

Proposed No. RTC2021-01.1 Sponsors

1

A RESOLUTION adopting the 2021 work plan for the 1

King County regional transit committee. 2

WHEREAS, the King County regional transit committee is charged with 3

developing, proposing, reviewing and recommending action on ordinances and motions 4

adopting, repealing or amending transit-related countywide policies and plans, as 5

determined by the committee's annual work program, and 6

WHEREAS, King County regional transit committee has developed and 7

implemented annual work programs each year to carry out its responsibilities, and 8

WHEREAS, the priorities for the King County regional transit committee in 2021 9

include reviewing proposed updates to the King County Strategic Plan for Public 10

Transportation, the King County Metro Service Guidelines and the Metro Connects long-11

range transit plan in a manner that centers equity and sustainability and incorporates the 12

recommendations of the King County Mobility Framework; 13

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the King County regional transit 14

committee:15


RTC Resolution

2

The King County regional transit committee 2021 work plan, Attachment A to 16

this resolution, is hereby adopted. 17

18

Attachments: A. King County Regional Transit Committee 2021 Work Plan


1

Attachment A King County Regional Transit Committee 2021 Work Plan

JANUARY 20, 2021

� Vice Chair selection � 2021 Work Plan (discussion only) � 2020 System Evaluation Report (discussion/action) � Policy Update Preparation: Strategic Plan proposed changes

FEBRUARY 17, 2021

� 2021 Work Plan (discussion/action) � Policy Update Preparation: Service Guidelines update

MARCH 17, 2021

� Policy Update Preparation: Metro Connects proposed changes � Policy Update Preparation: Response to budget proviso on service restoration and restructures

(Ordinance 19210, Section 113, Proviso P7, letter due to RTC & ME March 1, 2021) APRIL 21, 2021

� Policy Update Preparation: Service Guidelines proposed changes MAY 19, 2021

� Policy Update Preparation: Recap of proposed changes to Strategic Plan, Service Guidelines, and Metro Connects

JUNE 16, 2021

� Service Restoration: Discussion #1 on pandemic recovery, Metro financial outlook, and service restoration plans

JULY 21, 2021

� Service Restoration: Discussion #2 on pandemic recovery, Metro financial outlook, and service restoration plans

AUGUST 18, 2021 <<MEETING MAY BE CANCELLED DUE TO AUGUST RECESS>>

� POLICY UPDATES: Proposed updates to Strategic Plan, Service Guidelines, Metro Connects (discussion/possible action)


2

King County Regional Transit Committee 2021 Work Plan (Continued) Attachment A SEPTEMBER 15, 2021


OCTOBER 20, 2021


NOVEMBER 17, 2021


� 2021 System Evaluation Report (discussion/possible action) DECEMBER 15, 2021 <<MEETING MAY BE CANCELLED DUE TO DECEMBER RECESS>>


� 2021 System Evaluation Report (discussion/possible action) Each RTC meeting will include a report from the Metro General Manager, which will include timely updates, as well as topics suggested by RTC members, such as pandemic response and recovery, I Line planning and community engagement, and other topics of interest.



Metropolitan King County Council Regional Transit Committee

STAFF REPORT

Agenda Item: 8 Name: Mary Bourguignon Proposed No.: 2021-B0028 Date: February 17, 2021

SUBJECT Today’s briefing will review potential updates to the Service Guidelines, including review and input on Priority 3 (service growth) scenarios, potential changes and updates to language and procedures related to reducing service, and potential language on flexible services. SUMMARY Metro uses three adopted policy documents to guide its actions:

• The Strategic Plan for Public Transportation1 outlines Metro’s goals, strategies, and performance measures.

• The Service Guidelines2 guide day-to-day delivery of transit service by helping Metro set targets for the level of transit service to be provided, evaluate performance, and add, reduce, or change service.

• Metro Connects3 is the adopted long-range plan, which outlines a goal of increasing bus service hours by 70 percent between 2015 and 2040.

Metro is working to update these policy documents, using a process outlined in the legislation that adopted the Metro Mobility Framework Recommendations Summary.4 Today’s briefing will continue the committee’s discussions about Metro’s approach to the policy updates, focusing on a review of proposed changes and updates to the Service Guidelines focused on potential scenarios for Priority 3 (service growth) for setting target service levels, the language around service reductions, and the language on flexible services.

1 Ordinance 18301 Attachment A 2 Ordinance 18301 Attachment B 3 Ordinance 18449 Attachment A 4 The Mobility Framework was requested by Motion 15253. The Mobility Framework Recommendations Summary and policy update process were adopted by Motion 15618.


BACKGROUND The Service Guidelines, as currently adopted,5 summarize the criteria Metro uses to set target service levels along corridors to develop an all-day and peak-only network. They summarize how Metro evaluates and manages system performance using four priorities:6

• Priority 1: Reduce Crowding • Priority 2: Improve Reliability • Priority 3: Service Growth • Priority 4: Route Productivity

They also identify the criteria and processes Metro uses to plan for additions or reductions to transit service, acknowledge Metro’s partnerships with other jurisdictions and organizations, and include guidance on community engagement and outreach. During previous RTC briefings over the past year, Metro staff have shared their approach to Service Guidelines updates, focusing on:

• Working with Partners. Metro staff have outlined potential changes to clarify Metro’s relationships with partners, including differentiating between partnerships related to flexible service, fixed service, and infrastructure; and

• Planning and Community Engagement. Metro staff have discussed updating the Service Guidelines to require more rigorous, transparent, and inclusive forms of community engagement prior to service changes or restructures.

Setting Target Service Levels. In addition to these topics, Metro has organized several briefings around the issue of setting target transit service levels. The currently adopted Service Guidelines use three factors (productivity, social equity, and geographic value) to measure the gap between currently offered service and the service that is needed. The Service Guidelines both weights and prioritizes these factors, with the three factors weighted as productivity (50 percent), social equity (25 percent), and geographic value (25 percent); and with investment order prioritized based on the scores for geographic value, productivity, and equity in that order.

In past briefings, Metro staff have proposed to update this process of setting target service levels by:

• Broadening the definition of equity from race and income to include race, income,

disability, foreign-born, and limited English speaker;

5 Ordinance 18301, Attachment B 6 These measures are incorporated into an annual System Evaluation Report. Ordinance 17597 requires Metro to transmit a System Evaluation Report by October 31 of each year (this year, because of the pandemic, the report will not be transmitted until December). The System Evaluation Report must be reviewed by the RTC and Council and accepted by motion. The 2019 System Evaluation Report was accepted through Motion 15602.


• Adding consideration of low- and medium-income job locations to the productivity score;

• Adding target service levels for weekend service to cost estimates;

• Using population data (how many people live in an area) rather than boarding

data (how many people ride a route);

• Adding Metro Connects corridors, using Metro Connects proposed service levels as a service minimum, and using the Service Guidelines to establish service levels appropriate above and beyond Metro Connects; and

• Changing the prioritization of the three factors, noting that:

o Prioritizing geographic value would result in investment targets similar to the

existing Service Guidelines; o Prioritizing equity would result in service investments for populations without

existing transit access and would reflect pandemic ridership patterns; and o Prioritizing productivity would follow existing service and land use and would

have the greatest impact on climate change measures. Today’s briefing will continue the discussion of potential changes to setting target service levels. Service Reductions. Today’s briefing will also focus on language in the Service Guidelines around service reductions. The Service Guidelines, as currently adopted,7 summarize the criteria Metro uses to set target service levels along corridors to develop an all-day and peak-only network, as well as how Metro evaluates, adds, and reduces service. Adding service is determined by using four guidelines:

1. Passenger loads 2. Schedule reliability 3. All-day and peak-only network (service growth) 4. Route productivity

In addition, when prioritizing investments in the transit network, Metro considers local and regional planning efforts, including Metro Connects; changes to the transportation network; operational considerations; productivity, geographic value, and social equity impacts; service quality needs; and corridor scores (from the Priority 3 service growth analysis).

7 Ordinance 18301, Attachment B


When Metro must reduce service, the same general guidelines are used in the following order. Within the guidelines, Metro ensures that social equity is a primary consideration in any reduction proposal and complies with all state and federal regulations.

• Category 1: Low-productivity routes. Reduce service on routes that are below the 25 percent productivity threshold for a given time period. Metro considers these types of reductions in a way that prioritizes maintaining the overall network and the operation of individual corridors. Specifically: o Low productivity routes that duplicate or overlap with other routes on corridors

on the all-day and peak-only network would be higher priorities for reduction, followed by

o Peak-only routes that do not have a travel time or ridership advantage, and then

o All-day routes that operate on corridors that are above their target service levels, with the final category for reductions in this area being

o All-day routes that operate on corridors that are at their target service levels.

• Category 2: Restructure. Reductions can occur through restructures that improve the efficiency of service.

• Category 3: Moderate-productivity routes. Next, service would be reduced on routes that are above the 25 percent productivity threshold for a given time period. Routes that are between the 25 and 50 percent threshold are considered before routes that are above the 50 percent productivity threshold in a way that prioritizes maintaining the overall network and the operation of individual corridors. Specifically: o Moderate-productivity routes that duplicate or overlap with other routes on

corridors on the all-day and peak-only network would be higher priorities for reduction, followed by

o Any other peak-only route that was not considered as part of the first category for reductions, and then

o All-day routes that operate on corridors that are above their target service levels, with the final category for reductions in this area being

o All-day routes that operate on corridors that are at their target service levels.

• Category 4: Below-target corridors. The final category to consider is to reduce service on routes that are below the 25 percent productivity threshold for a given time period on corridors that have been identified as being below their target service levels. In this case, lowest productivity routes would be considered first.

In addition to these guidelines, the Service Guidelines identify a number of other factors to be considered when Metro must reduce service, including:

• The relative impacts to all areas of the county, to minimize or mitigate significant impacts in any one area.


• Ways to minimize impacts through the type of reduction, particularly through restructuring service.

• Attempting to maintain the target level of service on corridors in the All-Day and Peak-Only Network and avoiding reducing service on corridors that are already below their target service levels.

• Preserving last connections to avoid leaving areas of the county, particularly unincorporated rural areas, without any connection to frequent transit service.

• Providing alternative or flexible service as a potentially cost-effective way to reduce or replace fixed route service.

During today’s briefing, Metro staff will discuss potential language changes related to service reductions to center Mobility Framework guidance around equity and sustainability. Specifically, Metro proposes to focus reduction priorities to:

• Base prioritization for all-day routes on productivity; • Within each prioritization, identify candidate routes as high- or low-equity,8 with

low-equity routes receiving first consideration of reduction within each priority; and

• Add a sustainability threshold to consider as highest priority any reductions where service is emitting more greenhouse gas than single occupancy vehicles.

Metro staff will also discuss additional reductions factors including ways to ensure that no one area experiences significant negative impacts beyond what other areas experience; ways to minimize impacts through the type of reduction, particularly through restructuring; preservation of last connections, including in east and south King County adjacent to or surrounded by rural land; and applicability of flexible services in minimizing impacts to communities. Metro staff note that route performance (productivity) would remain the primary quantitative input to reductions planning, and that consideration of additional factors – including balancing reductions across the county, minimizing impacts through restructuring, and preserving last connections – would remain critical. Flexible Services. The Service Guidelines currently contain information on planning alternative (now called flexible) services.9 This section in the current Service Guidelines includes information about services including VanShare, Vanpool, Rideshare Matching, Dial-A-Ride Transit (DART), Community Access Transit (CAT), Community Shuttle, Community Van, Real-Time Rideshare, and Trip Pool. Potential updates to this section would reflect the evolution of flexible and alternative services, provide transparent priorities for future investment, ensure flexible services’

8 Metro notes that equity would be measured using the five-point Opportunity Index Score. 9 Ordinance 18301, Attachment B, p. 23.


performance is measured consistently across projects, and provide clear guidance on pilots and pilot projects. Specifically, Metro staff will discuss plans to:

• Create prioritization methodology for investment areas for future flexible services; • Add metrics for existing flexible services on productivity, efficiency, and equity; • Outline types of measures for future flexible services on productivity, efficiency,

and equity; and • Provide a framework for evaluating flexible services during pilot periods and

whether a service should be continued, discontinued, or transitioned to permanent service.

Metro staff will discuss proposed evaluation metrics to measure both permanent and pilot services on:

• Productivity, to ensure that service utilization is measured in a way to allows for total service usage and growth in service usage to be compared to similar Metro services;

• Efficiency, to measure service cost in a manner consistent with similar existing services to allow for cross-service comparison; and

• Equity, so that locational choices prioritize service for priority populations. Metro staff propose to add flexible services as pilot programs to allow Metro to learn more about how the service operates, how a community uses the service, provides for continuous improvement, and allows for evaluation before a pilot program is either made permanent or discontinued. Next Steps. Metro will continue to share potential changes and updates to its adopted policy documents through the first five months of the year. Metro anticipates that proposed updates to the policy documents will be transmitted for review by the RTC and County Council in late July. INVITED

• Katie Chalmers, Supervisor, Transit Planning, Metro Transit Department ATTACHMENTS

1. Metro presentation: Service Guidelines Update, February 17, 2021 2. Combined Scenario Maps, February 17, 2021


Service Guidelines

Regional Transit Committee

February 17th, 2021


2

• Revisit service growth

scenarios and get final

input on Metro’s recommendation)

• Begin discussions of

Reductions’ guidelines

• Maps and further analysis will be available for April RTC meeting

• Flexible services guidelines

Today’s FocusMetro Mobility

ServicesIncluded in Service

Guidelines*

Fixed Route

Bus

DART

Water Taxi

Flexible Service

Flexible On-Demand (Via)

Other Innovative Service

*Not all Metro services (ex: Access) are covered in the Service Guidelines


3

Metro Connects Means

Countywide Need Grows

• Metro Connects network and service levels vastly increases the service need throughout the county

• Metro Connects includes a minimum service level of 60-minute service, so by orienting the guidelines to Metro Connects, that will be the new target

• The more funding Metro has, the further we can invest down the priority list.• There are many implementation options if

new resources and funding are available

• These options are aiming for long-term growth, so they build on our existing network

• COVID-19 has resulted in near-term emergency changes that were driven by factors other than the guidelines (e.g. collapse of peak commute) but in the long-term these policies will describe how our system grows


4

All Scenarios Top 50 Routes (Top 25 Routes Identified in Gold)

Priority order:Productivity, Equity,

Geographic Value

Priority order:

Equity, Productivity,Geographic Value

Priority order:

Geographic Value,Productivity, Equity

Priority order:

Equity, Geographic Value, Productivity


5

Equity First ScenariosTop 50 Routes (Top 25 Routes Identified in Gold)

Priority

order:Equity,

Productivity,

Geographic Value

(Preferred Alternative)

Priority order:

Equity, Geographic

Value,

Productivity


6

Equity First ScenariosTop 50 Routes (Top 10 Routes Identified in Gold)

Priority

order:Equity,

Productivity,

Geographic Value

(Preferred Alternative)

Priority order:

Equity, Geographic

Value,

Productivity


Discussion: Service Growth

7RTC Meeting Packet Page 29 February 17, 2021

8

Service Guidelines – Reductions Update Goals

• Simplify reductions guidelines

• Provide transparency and clarity for future reductions scenarios

• Center Mobility Framework guidance around equity and sustainability


9

Changes to Reduction Priorities

• New Reductions Priorities• Prioritization: Base prioritization for all-

day routes on productivity

• Centering equity: Within each prioritization, candidate routes will be identified as high equity and low equity. Low equity routes will receive first consideration of reduction within each priority.

o Equity will be measured using the 5-point Opportunity Index Score

• Centering sustainability: Add a sustainability threshold to consider as highest priority any reductions where service is emitting more GHG than Single Occupancy Vehicles.

• Existing Reductions Priorities• Based on route

performance (productivity)

• Consider all-day routes relative to targets from Priority 3

• Consider peak routes relative to peak criteria


10

Additional Reductions Factors Remaining

• The relative impacts to all areas of the county in order to minimize or mitigate significant impacts in any one area.

o "so that no one area experiences significant negative impacts beyond what other areas experience"

• Ways to minimize impacts through the type of reduction, particularly through restructuring.

• Preservation of last connections.

o Including in "east and south King County adjacent to or surrounded by rural land"

• Applicability of flexible services in minimizing impacts to communities.


11

Reductions Guidelines – Proposed Priorities

Proposed Priorities

1a Routes below 25% on both productivity measures and with Opportunity Scores of 3 or less

1b Routes below 25% on both productivity measures and with Opportunity Scores of 4 or 5

2a Routes below 25% on one productivity measure and with Opportunity Scores of 3 or less

2b Routes below 25% on one productivity measure and with Opportunity Scores of 4 or 5

3a Routes below 50% on one or both productivity measures and with Opportunity Scores of 3 or less

3b Routes below 50% on one or both productivity measures and with Opportunity Scores of 4 or 5


12

Reductions Guidelines - What Will Not Change

• Route performance (productivity) will remain the primary quantitative input to reductions planning.

• Consideration of additional factors will continue to be critical when making reductions

• Balancing reductions across the county

• Minimizing impacts through restructuring

• Preservation of last connections


Discussion: Reductions Guidelines


14

Flexible Service Guidelines - Update Goals

• Update Guidelines to reflect evolution of flexible and alternative services

• Provide transparent priorities for future investment

• Ensure flexible services performance is measured consistently across many projects

• Provide clear guidance on pilots and pilot periods


15

Flexible Service Guidelines - Proposed Update

• Create prioritization methodology for investment areas for future flexible services.

• Add metrics for existing flexible services on productivity, efficiency, and equity.

• Outline types of measures for future flexible services on productivity, efficiency, and equity.

• Provide a framework for evaluating flexible services during pilot periods and whether a service should be continued, discontinued, or transitioned to a permanent service.


16

Flexible Service – Proposed Evaluation Metrics

Permanent and Pilot Service

• Productivity

• Service utilization should be measured in a way that allows for total service usage and growth in service usage to be compared to similar Metro Transit services.

• Efficiency

• Service cost should be measured in a manner consistent with similar existing services and should allow for cross-service comparison.

• Equity

• Locational choices should prioritize service for priority populations.


17

Flexible Services - Pilot Evaluation

• Flexible services will first be implemented through a pilot that allows Metro to learn more about how the service operates, how a community uses the service, and provides opportunity for continuous service improvement for these new, innovative services.

• Metro will establish a predetermined period of time for pilots, with a formal evaluation conducted annually.

• Pilot periods allow for adjustment of the service within the time period before being discontinued or transitioned to a permanent service.


Discussion: Flexible Services Guidelines


19

2021 Schedule

JulyTransmit

policy updates

JanuaryStrategic Plan

and performance

measures

FebruaryService

Guidelines

MarchMetro

Connects

AprilService

Guidelines

MayTBD (policy updates if needed)

JuneNon-policy

update topics

AugustRTC, KCC

begin review


Closing and Questions


VashonIsland

Seattle

Kent

Bellevue

Auburn

Kirkland

Sammamish

Federal Way

Redmond

BurienSeaTac

Issaquah

Tukwila

Shoreline

Kenmore

Snoqualmie

Covington

Enumclaw

MapleValley

Woodinville

BlackDiamond

Newcastle

Duvall

North Bend

Pacific

DesMoines

MercerIsland

Medina

LakeForest

Park

Algona

NormandyPark

Clyde Hill

Carnation

Milton

Hunts PointYarrow Point

BeauxArts

Bothell

Renton

Top 50 Service Gap Routes: Leading with Equity

Metro Connects Route 3061


MetroConnectsRoute1061

(Equity, Geographic Value, Productivity)

Routes with Service GapsTop 2526 - 50

The use of the information in this map is subject to the termsand conditionsfound at: www.kingcounty.gov/services/gis/Maps/terms-of-use.aspx. Your access and use is conditionedon your acceptance of these terms and conditions.

0 1 2 3 4

Miles

Census block groupswith the highest equitypriority area score

CF: C:\TEMPFILES\GuidelinesUpdate\Top50_10_frequency\Top50_Equit_egp_freqJanuary 11, 2020

Frequent Routes


VashonIsland

Seattle

Kent

Bellevue

Auburn

Kirkland

Sammamish

Federal Way

Redmond

BurienSeaTac

Issaquah

Tukwila

Shoreline

Kenmore

Snoqualmie

Covington

Enumclaw

MapleValley

Woodinville

BlackDiamond

Newcastle

Duvall

North Bend

Pacific

DesMoines

MercerIsland

Medina

LakeForest

Park

Algona

NormandyPark

Clyde Hill

Carnation

Milton


BeauxArts

Bothell

Renton




MetroConnectsRoute1061

(Equity, Geographic Value, Productivity)



0 1 2 3 4

Miles


CF: C:\TEMPFILES\GuidelinesUpdate\Top50_10_frequency\Top50_Equit_egp_freqTop10January 11, 2020

Frequent Routes


VashonIsland

Seattle

Kent

Bellevue

Auburn

Kirkland

Sammamish

Federal Way

Redmond

BurienSeaTac

Issaquah

Tukwila

Shoreline

Kenmore

Snoqualmie

Covington

Enumclaw

MapleValley

Woodinville

BlackDiamond

Newcastle

Duvall

North Bend

Pacific

DesMoines

MercerIsland

Medina

LakeForest

Park

Algona

NormandyPark

Clyde Hill

Carnation

Milton


BeauxArts

Bothell

Renton




(Equity, Productivity, Geographic Value)



0 1 2 3 4

Miles


CF: C:\TEMPFILES\GuidelinesUpdate\Top50_10_frequency\Top50_Equit_epg_freqJanuary 11, 2020

Frequent Routes


VashonIsland

Seattle

Kent

Bellevue

Auburn

Kirkland

Sammamish

Federal Way

Redmond

BurienSeaTac

Issaquah

Tukwila

Shoreline

Kenmore

Snoqualmie

Covington

Enumclaw

MapleValley

Woodinville

BlackDiamond

Newcastle

Duvall

North Bend

Pacific

DesMoines

MercerIsland

Medina

LakeForest

Park

Algona

NormandyPark

Clyde Hill

Carnation

Milton


BeauxArts

Bothell

Renton




(Equity, Productivity, Geographic Value)



0 1 2 3 4

Miles


CF: C:\TEMPFILES\GuidelinesUpdate\Top50_10_frequency\Top50_Equit_epg_freqtop10January 11, 2020

Frequent Routes


VashonIsland

Seattle

Kent

Bellevue

Auburn

Kirkland

Sammamish

Federal Way

Redmond

BurienSeaTac

Issaquah

Tukwila

Shoreline

Kenmore

Snoqualmie

Covington

Enumclaw

MapleValley

Woodinville

BlackDiamond

Newcastle

Duvall

North Bend

Pacific

DesMoines

MercerIsland

Medina

LakeForest

Park

Algona

NormandyPark

Clyde Hill

Carnation

Milton


BeauxArts

Bothell

Renton

Top 50 Service Gap Routes: Leading with Geographic Value



0 1 2 3 4

Miles


CF: C:\TEMPFILES\GuidelinesUpdat\Top50_10frequency\Top50_GeoV_freqJanuary 11, 2021

MetroConnectsRoute 1061

Metro ConnectsRoute 3114

Frequent Routes


VashonIsland

Seattle

Kent

Bellevue

Auburn

Kirkland

Sammamish

Federal Way

Redmond

BurienSeaTac

Issaquah

Tukwila

Shoreline

Kenmore

Snoqualmie

Covington

Enumclaw

MapleValley

Woodinville

BlackDiamond

Newcastle

Duvall

North Bend

Pacific

DesMoines

MercerIsland

Medina

LakeForest

Park

Algona

NormandyPark

Clyde Hill

Carnation

Milton


BeauxArts

Bothell

Renton

Top 50 Service Gap Routes: Leading with Geographic Value



0 1 2 3 4

Miles


CF: C:\TEMPFILES\GuidelinesUpdat\Top50_10frequency\Top50_GeoV_freqTop10January 11, 2021

MetroConnectsRoute 1061

Metro ConnectsRoute 3114

Frequent Routes


VashonIsland

Seattle

Kent

Bellevue

Auburn

Kirkland

Sammamish

Federal Way

Redmond

BurienSeaTac

Issaquah

Tukwila

Shoreline

Kenmore

Snoqualmie

Covington

Enumclaw

MapleValley

Woodinville

BlackDiamond

Newcastle

Duvall

North Bend

Pacific

DesMoines

MercerIsland

Medina

LakeForest

Park

Algona

NormandyPark

ClydeHill

Carnation

Milton


BeauxArts

Bothell

Renton

Top 50 Service Gap Routes: Leading with Productivity



0 1 2 3 4

Miles


CF: C:\TEMPFILES\GuidelinesUpdate\Top50_10_frequency\Top50_Prod_freqJanuary 11, 2021

MetroConnectsRoute3028 Metro

ConnectsRoute1061

Frequent Routes


VashonIsland

Seattle

Kent

Bellevue

Auburn

Kirkland

Sammamish

Federal Way

Redmond

BurienSeaTac

Issaquah

Tukwila

Shoreline

Kenmore

Snoqualmie

Covington

Enumclaw

MapleValley

Woodinville

BlackDiamond

Newcastle

Duvall

North Bend

Pacific

DesMoines

MercerIsland

Medina

LakeForest

Park

Algona

NormandyPark

ClydeHill

Carnation

Milton


BeauxArts

Bothell

Renton

Top 50 Service Gap Routes: Leading with Productivity



0 1 2 3 4

Miles


CF: C:\TEMPFILES\GuidelinesUpdate\Top50_10_frequency\Top50_Prod_freqTop10January 11, 2021

MetroConnectsRoute3028 Metro

ConnectsRoute1061

Frequent Routes
