King County Metro Mobility Framework Recommendations
King County Metro Mobility Framework Recommendations
King County Metro Mobility Framework Recommendations
Recommendations Summary
October 2019
October 2019
Introduction
King County Metro’s Mobility Framework envisions a
regional network of traditional and new transportation
services that gets people where they want to go, when
they want to get there, while contributing to healthy
communities, a thriving economy, and a sustainable
environment.
The Mobility Framework responds to Motion 15253, which asked Metro to develop a regional
mobility framework to ensure that innovations in mobility put people first, use public space
equitably and efficiently, and are coordinated with transit policies and regional funding
strategies. It also responds to Motion 15252, which asked Metro to provide updated
information to supplement METRO CONNECTS, Metro’s adopted long-range plan, and to
work with regional leaders and community members to develop a plan to implement METRO
CONNECTS.
The Framework also responds to several other significant changes in our region that have
implications for Metro’s service to the people of King County:
• The county’s growing and diversifying population, and the persistent inequities
that exist despite our region’s economic success, which requires a renewed focus on
the unmet mobility needs of black, indigenous, and people of color, low-income
people, immigrants and refugees, limited-English speaking communities, and people
with disabilities;
• The worsening climate crisis and the need to significantly reduce greenhouse gas
emissions from car travel, promote climate resiliency, and improve health outcomes;
and
In responding to these challenges, the Mobility Framework articulates a vision for a regional
mobility system that builds on Metro’s existing network of transit services to become more
innovative, integrated, equitable, and sustainable. The Mobility Framework includes 10
Guiding Principles and Recommendations in five thematic areas.
The Equity Cabinet spent much of 2019 working with Metro staff to review adopted policies,
and to study King County’s changing demographics, travel trends and needs, best practices,
and emerging mobility technologies. The Framework was also informed by extensive
outreach and engagement with local elected officials, stakeholder organizations, and
community members.
Guiding Principles
The Guiding Principles offer overarching guidance for how Metro and partners can work
together to achieve a regional mobility system that is innovative, integrated, equitable, and
sustainable. They were developed in partnership with the Equity Cabinet and with input
from elected officials, regional partners, and community stakeholders. These Guiding
Principles will guide updates to Metro’s Strategic Plan for Public Transportation, which will be
updated during 2020.
• Ensure safety
Recommendations
The Recommendations below are meant to build on and strengthen Metro’s existing
network of transit services.
They address Metro’s role as a provider of fixed-route public transit and community-based
mobility services; as an employer and contractor; as a partner to jurisdictions around the
region; as a co-provider of services with private mobility companies; and as part of a local
government that prioritizes equity and sustainability. They provide guidance for ways Metro
can add to and to build on its existing, regional network of mobility services with the goal
of achieving a mobility network that is innovative, integrated, equitable, and sustainable.
The recommendations span from visionary to long overdue and are essential to the future of
the regional mobility system. Metro looks forward to working with local municipalities,
organized labor, partner transit agencies, community-based organizations, and/or private
mobility providers to fund and implement these recommendations.
Key
Investments
Indicates that Metro
must partner to
Provide additional transit service in areas with implement this
unmet need, defined as areas with high density; a recommendation.
high proportion of low-income people, people of color,
people with disabilities, and members of limited-
English speaking communities; and limited mid-day $ Indicates need for
and evening service. Adapt Metro’s adopted policies additional funding.
to meet this need and to ensure regular and ongoing
evaluation of the needs of these areas. $
Support investments to increase safety, including bus safety features, a safety
app or other technology, and amenities such as lighting, real-time arrival signs, and
informational campaigns. $
Support improvements to increase speed and reliability to make transit
investments most successful and to provide incentives for local jurisdictions to
prioritize use of the right-of-way for transit and access to transit. $
Increase dense, mixed use zoning and affordable housing in urban areas
near transit, while working to minimize displacement of priority populations
through the Growth Management Planning Council, by developing a King County
Transit-oriented Development policy, and by updating Metro’s adopted policies to
provide incentives for jurisdictions that provide increased density and/or affordable
housing. $
Develop station area and right-of-way guidelines that prioritize transit use and
access for people who walk, bike, or roll to the station. $
Develop people-friendly street design near transit, including traffic-calming
measures and ways to make bus stops safe for all ages, genders, and abilities. $
Meet King County’s climate goals by reducing car use, developing green
infrastructure, promoting climate justice and prioritizing ways to make transit
convenient and accessible. $
Innovation
Workforce
Engagement
Next Steps
The Mobility Framework, designed by an Equity Cabinet of community leaders, will guide
updates to Metro’s adopted policies, including Metro’s Strategic Plan, long-range plan
(METRO CONNECTS), and Service Guidelines, as well as the Transportation Goal Area of the
Strategic Climate Action Plan. The Mobility Framework’s recommendations will also guide
the development of Metro’s 2021-2022 biennial budget proposal and ongoing regional
planning efforts to fund and implement METRO CONNECTS.
As required by Motion 15252, the update to METRO CONNECTS will include updated
information to adjust for population and employment growth, increasing regional
congestion, inflation and construction costs, regional mobility needs and innovations in
transportation.
Work to update Metro’s policy documents (specifically, the Strategic Plan for Public
Transportation, Service Guidelines, and METRO CONNECTS) will begin during the first half of
2020 to align with the recommendations of the Mobility Framework and to provide detailed
implementation guidance for how the Mobility Framework’s recommendations can be
realized. Updates to these policy documents will benefit from input from Equity Cabinet
members, elected leaders, stakeholder organizations, and communities.
Metro looks forward to working closely with elected leaders, stakeholder groups, and
community members to fund and implement these recommendations and move forward
together toward a regional mobility system that is innovative, integrated, equitable, and
sustainable.