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Metro's Long Game
Metro’s ability to provide movement through the transit system can be life-changing.
As a mobility agency, we move hundreds of thousands of people in our region every day, helping them get to their destination. We know that mobility connects people to opportunity—and that destination is sometimes more than an actual place. It may be a new job, a better education, a critical medical appointment, or a chance to start over.
Metro’s Long Game is the blueprint to how we leverage the power of public transit to create a mobility system that advances equity by serving underserved communities, providing new economic opportunities in those neighborhoods, and combating climate change.
In order for Metro to reach our Long Game, we will:
- Build fast, frequent, reliable all-day services that are both prioritized and co-created for those with the greatest need of public transit
- Transition to a 100% zero-emissions fleet powered by renewable energy no later than 2035
- Modernize our system
- Continue to demonstrate the value of public transit to grow capacity and resources, which will result in more service and measurable outcomes
By providing safe, reliable, and equitable public transportation services, we can—and will—improve regional mobility and quality of life in King County.
Metro's enterprise initiatives
Metro's initiatives and partnerships make progress on long-term goals to center equity, modernize the system, and build back stronger.
Where needs are greatest
Build tools to support the cultural change needed to deliver on the commitments in Metro’s updated policies, leading with investing where needs are greatest. This framework will help hold ourselves accountable to building a regional transit system outlined in Metro Connects and delivering the outcomes articulated in Metro’s Long Game. This initiative will ensure our commitment by delivering, measuring and communicating progress to the public.
Organizational health
Create a culture of belonging and prioritize well-being. Develop a focus on culture and an approach to leadership that fosters respect, safety and accountability. Embracing anti-racist principles will support retention, leadership development, and make Metro a place where people want to work and thrive.
Safety, Security, and Fare Enforcement Reform
Continue to co-create, pilot, and implement recommendations that center the needs of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) community members and employees who are most impacted by safety and security functions. Continued engagement with communities will ensure strategies are implemented in a way that supports the vision of safety and eliminates disproportionately negative outcomes of safety and security policies and practices on BIPOC communities.
Advanced Service Management
Improve and modernize how we deliver service. Through service modernization, we will be able to better meet the evolving needs of our customers, employees, and the region—and be a model for transit agencies nationwide. Advanced Service Management aims to test delivering high frequency bus service using headway management (buses arrive at a set frequency rather than a schedule) and fall back operations (buses continually in service while operators take breaks) to increase the reliability of public transportation and reduce bus “bunching” (two buses arriving at a stop at close to the same time or simultaneously). Goals are to improve customer and operator experience by changing operational processes, testing headway management technology, and investing in route break spaces and comfort stations to better manage headway.
Milestones
Here are just a few recent highlights as we expand and improve your regional transit network.
Service and Innovation
- “King County Metro back to 90% of pre-pandemic service levels; Delivers connections to 3 new light rail stations“
- “Executive Constantine and Mayor Durkan announce Seattle voter-funded transit service contract”
Safety and Security
- “King County works with community to reimagine safety and security on transit”
- “Newly upgraded air filters and more fresh air on all Metro buses”
Equity
- “Working upstream: King County Metro vision, policy updates focus on equity and sustainability”
- “Metro launches online customer support and enrollment for ORCA LIFT, ORCA Youth, and Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) cards”
Sustainability
- “King County Metro to acquire new fleet of zero-emission, battery-electric buses”
- “Trailhead Direct reconnects riders with the great outdoors”