PSRC Funding Application

Competition Regional FTA Application Main Competition Status submitted Submitted: March 17th, 2017 11:48 AM Prepopulated with screening form? Yes

Project Information

1. Project Title Purchase 11 New High Capacity Transit Buses 2. Transportation 2040 ID Exempt 3. Sponsoring Agency Sound Transit 4. Cosponsors N/A 5. Does the sponsoring agency have "Certification Acceptance" status from WSDOT? N/A 6. If not, which agency will serve as your CA sponsor? N/A 7. Is your agency a designated recipient for FTA funds? Yes 8. Designated recipient concurrence N/A

Contact Information

1. Contact name Monica Overby 2. Contact phone 2066894979 3. Contact email [email protected]

Project Description

1. Project Scope This project will purchase eleven High Capacity Transit (HCT) buses needed to provide 15,000 additional ST Express bus hours. The new service is estimated to increase ridership by a range of 1,400 to 2,800 riders per weekday. Sound Transit's ST Express Bus service provides fast, frequent, reliable service connecting major population and employment centers in the Central Puget Sound region. ST Express provides limited stops and serves twenty-five transit centers and over thirty park & rides linking the three-county region.

The ST Express system is experiencing challenges meeting its service standards and performance due to buses being overcrowded, delaying schedule and service reliability. These buses will ultimately support the entire network of ST Express bus routes that serve 23 designated regional centers in Snohomish, Pierce and King Counties For this application, Sound Transit is focusing the eleven buses on routes experiencing the most severe overcrowding and schedule reliability issues. These routes include: 510/512 Everett-Seattle, 545 Seattle-Redmond, 550 Seattle-Bellevue, 577/578 Seattle-Federal Way-Auburn-Sumner- Puyallup, 590/594 Tacoma-Seattle. These routes directly serve a total of 13 centers along the I-5, SR-520, and I-90 corridors in Snohomish, Pierce and King Counties. • Regional Growth Centers: Everett, Lynnwood, Seattle Downtown, Seattle University Community, Redmond Downtown, Redmond Overlake, Bellevue Downtown, Federal Way, Puyallup Downtown, Auburn, Tacoma Downtown and Lakewood. • Manufacturing and Industrial Center: Sumner-Pacific These eleven HCT buses are needed to accommodate 15,000 additional annual platform hours for ST Express service to help address overcrowding on buses and improve schedule reliability and service quality. HCT buses have the ability to move larger volumes of people compared to single occupant vehicles (SOVs). Sound Transit estimates that approximately 357,000-714,000 vehicle trips and 6,602,960-13,205,920 vehicle miles traveled could be reduced annually as a result of this project. One HCT bus has seats for at least 56 passengers. Each new bus adds capacity to the regional transportation network without the addition of highway lanes or more SOV’s. The estimated number of passengers benefiting from the new buses and additional ST Express service hours is approximately 1,400-2,800 new riders per weekday.

Summary of Benefits and Outcomes of this Project include: • Increased schedule reliability and on-time performance for ST Express buses serving and connecting 13 designated centers. • An estimated 1,400-2,800 new transit riders per weekday • Reduces an estimated 357,000-714,000 vehicle trips and 6-13 million vehicle miles traveled annually in already congested urban corridors. • Connects commuters, students, transit dependent populations to jobs, school, medical and social services. ST Express serves regional transit centers and park and rides, population and employment centers, schools/universities and major medical facilities. • Support for housing and economic development goals and policies in growth centers throughout the region (more details provided below in “benefit to centers” sections). Housing and development goals of regional designated centers served by ST Express encourage and support high capacity transit within these centers. encourage and support high capacity transit within these centers. • The 11 new buses will all have bicycle racks that hold 3 bicycles per bus • ST Express routes offer frequent, all day service. For example, ST Express 550 provides service every 5-10 minutes in the peak period and the span of service is 4:52 a.m.-12:12 a.m. The 11 HCT buses will be procured in late 2017 with delivery expected in 2018. 2. Project Justification, Need, or Purpose The new ST Express buses will be deployed on the region’s most congested corridors, serving the region’s densest downtowns and urban centers, adding critical capacity and reliability where it is most needed to support the region’s economy and preserve its quality of life. The purpose of this project is to buy eleven new buses needed to accommodate 15,000 additional annual platform hours for ST Express Bus service to address overcrowding on buses and improve service reliability and efficiency. The buses will also support ST Express ridership growth including the estimated 1,400-2,800 new riders per weekday anticipated from the additional hours. ST Express ridership for 2016 was over 18 million boardings and is estimated to reach 20 million annual passengers and average weekday boardings of 70,000 by 2022. Improve Service Reliability and Efficiency on the Region’s Congested Corridors As the Puget Sound Region continues to grow, congestion on major highways and arterials in the region is increasing and will get even worse without additional transit. Studies show that transit service along these region’s congested corridors (e.g. I-5) is the equivalent of adding additional lanes of traffic during peak commute periods. Transit ridership means fewer cars on the road, which helps alleviate traffic congestion by making the most efficient use of available highway capacity. This project is estimated to reduce 6,602,960-13,205,920 vehicle miles traveled annually. These congested corridors are served by ST Express (e.g. I-5 from Everett to Tacoma, I-90 from Seattle to Bellevue) and since 2015, Sound Transit has locally funded over 32,000 annual service hours throughout the ST Express system, providing new connections, capacity, meeting growing demand, and mitigating congestion. In September 2015, approximately 4,000 service hours were invested in the I-5 North corridor to improve on-time performance and schedule reliability of Routes 510, 511, 512, and 513. In 2016, Sound Transit invested approximately 4,000 service hours in the I-405 North Corridor, Routes 532 and 535, to improve on-time performance and schedule reliability along the corridor. Even with these investments, schedule reliability on a number of routes continues to not meet service quality standards as congestion along major highway corridors and at-capacity buses reduce on-time performance and schedule reliability. The purchase of the eleven HCT buses to support another 15,000 additional bus service hours provides an important investment in regional ST Express efficiency and reliability and responds to negative impacts to service, schedule and performance.

These ST Express bus routes serve the I-5, I-90, and SR 520 corridors which experience congestion and capacity issues. This project directly supports routes (listed below) that are experiencing severe overcrowding and schedule reliability challenges. • Route 510-512 Everett - Seattle: a major regional route with bidirectional service that operates along the I-5 corridor and serves the Everett, Lynnwood, U-District and Seattle CBD centers. Combined, these two routes served over 2.6 million boardings in 2016 with 40-50 boardings per trip.

• Route 545: Redmond-Seattle: this route operates along the SR 520 corridor serving Seattle Downtown, Redmond Overlake and Redmond Downtown centers. In 2015 this route was modified to help connect Capitol Hill (the most densely populated neighborhood in Seattle) with thousands of jobs at Microsoft. Between 2013 and mid-2016, average weekday boardings on the SR-520 corridor increased by 18 percent. During peak travel times, buses remain crowded with the average bus carrying 50 passengers. In 2016, there were 2.6 million boardings. • Route 550: Bellevue- Seattle: a major regional route serving the I-90 corridor and Seattle and Bellevue CBD centers. In 2015, total boardings were up 11 percent over total boardings in 2013 (or 14?). Weekday ridership grew by 13 percent. Riders per trip are very high on this corridor, averaging 76 per trip in the westbound peak direction and up to 81 per trip in the eastbound peak direction. Ridership continues to climb in the corridor. Route 550 now regularly averages over 10,500 boardings per day.

• Route 577 | Federal Way – Seattle // Route 578 | Puyallup – Seattle: Puyallup > Sumner > Auburn > Federal Way > Seattle: These two routes are regional, serving the I-5 south corridor and designated centers of Federal Way, Puyallup Downtown, Sumner-Pacific and Seattle Downtown. In 2016, routes 577 and 578 had over one million boardings and experience consistent overcrowding.

• Route 590 | Tacoma – Seattle: Downtown Tacoma > Tacoma Dome Station > Downtown Seattle // Route 594 | Lakewood – Seattle: Lakewood > Tacoma > Seattle These routes provide service on the I-5 corridor in the designated centers of Tacoma Downtown, Lakewood, and Seattle Downtown. They also serve the Tacoma Dome Station, a large multimodal transit center serving well over 3 million people a year with connections to regional and local bus, Sounder commuter rail, Link light rail and Amtrak passenger rail service. Combined, these two routes have over 5,000 average weekday boardings (2016).These are very popular routes offering fast, frequent service on I-5 between King and Pierce counties. The eleven HCT buses are needed to:

Need #1: Accommodate expected population growth in the region. Forecasts show that the Region will have 5 million people and 3 million jobs by 2040. • Between 2000 and 2040, the region is forecast to grow by an additional 1.7 million people, increasing 52 percent to reach a population of 5 million. Current forecasts of regional employment show the central Puget Sound region adding another 1.2 million jobs between 2000 and 2040, bringing the regional jobs base to more than 3.1 million, an increase of 64 percent during the period. • With increases in population and employment, an increase in transit demand is anticipated. Regional trends show transit ridership has grown twice as fast as population over the past five years (source PSRC data). ST Express provides fast service between major core cities and designated centers. ST Express had over 18 million boardings in 2016 and this number is estimated to be over 20 million by 2022. Many ST Express trips already operate over capacity. ST2 included projects to help address bus capacity issues and ST3 continues in this effort.

Need #2: Address Transit Demand and Schedule Reliability and Efficiency of Key Regional Express Bus Service Traveling to/from Designated Centers • Sound Transit’s Board of Directors approved adding 15,000 ST Express bus platform hours to address overcrowding on routes serving major congested corridors and designated centers. These routes directly serve a total of 13 centers along the I-5, SR-520, and I-90 corridors in Snohomish, Pierce and King Counties: • Regional Growth Centers: Everett, Lynnwood, Seattle Downtown, Seattle University Community, Redmond Downtown, Redmond Overlake, Bellevue Downtown, Federal Way, Puyallup Downtown, Auburn, Tacoma Downtown and Lakewood. • Manufacturing and Industrial Center: Sumner-Pacific • Manufacturing and Industrial Center: Sumner-Pacific It is estimated an additional 15,000 service hours will result in approximately 1,400-2,800 new riders. • The additional vehicles in this request will help mitigate risk of compromising service quality. The additional vehicles help with improving ST Express reliability. Need #3: Serve transit‐dependent populations who need efficient and reliable regional transit connectivity. Improved transit enhances access to expanding regional job markets by providing affordable and accessible commuting options for low‐income households, and improves access to schools, jobs, family, and health care for transit‐dependent youth and seniors. Many minority households are also low-income and lack access to an automobile and/or do not have convenient access to transit. Low-income families also face a higher burden when making transportation choices because they often pay a higher percentage of their monthly income on transportation costs. Additionally, Sound Transit provides a fare discount to all riders who pay with special low-income ORCA LIFT cards. Sound Transit’s Human Service Ticket Program (in partnership with King County Metro) provides subsidized transit tickets to eligible human services agencies. Agencies give tickets to persons who are homeless and/or have low-to-moderate incomes. Tickets are used to help this population access shelters, health care, employment, and related services critical to personal and residential stability. In 2015, Sound Transit provided over $19,000 worth of discounted or free ride tickets for Human Services agencies. Need #4: Support environmental and sustainability goals of the state and region include reducing vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions. Washington law sets goals to decrease annual per capita VMT by 30% in 2035 and 50% in 2050. Another state goal is to reduce overall emissions of greenhouse gases to 25% below 1990 levels in 2035 and to 50% below 1990 levels in 2050. • This project will result in the reduction of an estimated 6,602,960-13,205,920 VMT annually and 3,552-7,104 kg/day of CO2 (Source: PSRC’s Project Level Emissions Evaluation Tool). • Transit moved roughly 48,730 riders on the I-5 corridor during the peak periods on an average weekday in 2015, a 4% increase over 2013 (about 46,820 riders). This corresponds with an approximate 7% increase in transit passenger miles traveled. Transit ridership means fewer cars on the road, which helps alleviate traffic congestion by making the most efficient use of available highway capacity. For example, peak period transit ridership on the I-5 corridor in the central Puget Sound region was equal to more than four extra lanes of capacity in 2015 (when compared to the peak efficiency of the roadway, which is a conservative approach to this measurement). Transit on I-5 commutes during the morning and evening peak periods operated between 50% and 103% of total seating capacity in 2015. Of the 937 daily peak period transit trips, 195 were over 90% of seating capacity on a typical weekday. On the I-5 central Puget Sound corridor in 2015, transit use during peak periods prevented approximately 371,500 pounds of GHG emissions from being emitted per day, an 11% improvement over 2013 (334,900 pounds). (WSDOT Core Capacity Report, 2016)

Project Location

1. Project Location Central Puget Sound Region 2. Please identify the county(ies) in which the project is located. King, Pierce, Snohomish 3. Crossroad/landmark nearest the beginning of the project N/A 4. Crossroad/landmark nearest the end of the project N/A 5. Map and project graphics Appendix_Maps_Support_Doc_to_Bus_App.pdf

Plan Consistency

1. Is the project specifically identified in a local comprehensive plan? Yes 2. If yes, please indicate the (1) plan name, (2) relevant section(s), and (3) page number where it can be found. Yes, this project is identified in Sound Transit's ST2 Plan on page 9 of the Mass Transit Expansion proposal, http://www.soundtransit.org/About-Sound-Transit/News-and-events/Reports/ST2- projectdetails. It's also found under "Systemwide Projects" Project number: SYS-BUS, "provide additional bus fleet to support service expansion during ST2."

Since these buses will serve King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties and the major urban centers within, a sample list is provided detailing how this project is identified in and supportive of local comprehensive plans:

Everett Comprehensive Plan includes many policies that are transit supportive including HCT. https://everettwa.gov/1395/2035-Comprehensive-Plan *Policy 1.4: Participate in the development of the regional system of high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) improvements linking designated activity centers to the HOV system and providing time and ease of travel advantages for HOV users over single occupancy vehicle (SOV) users *Policy 1.9: Provide multi-modal connections between local and regional transportation services. *Policy 1.17: Prioritize funding for multi-modal infrastructure in centers and in areas that support access to centers. *Policy 4.1: Encourage the use of travel modes that minimize the impacts of transportation systems on the environment, neighborhoods and quality of life and that contribute to clean air and energy efficiency. *Policy 5.2: Integrate future high capacity transit systems with transportation modes serving the city, including inter-city rail and bus, feeder-bus and rideshare, as well as pedestrian and bicycle. *Policy 6.2: Maintain transit service as a preferred mode-of-travel for all trip purposes to and from downtown and other designated activity centers within the city and region. *Policy 6.3: Support commuting alternatives by bus, rail and new transit technologies.

Seattle: Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan includes many policies that promote HCT and reliable transit service. http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/cityplanning/completeprojectslist/comprehensiveplan/documents/default.htm *Policy E15.1 Build infrastructure and provide services for pedestrians, bicycles, electric vehicles and transit to facilitate movement around the city by means other than fossil-fueled automobiles. *Policy E15.3 Continue to recognize the value of planning for transportation facilities at the same time as for the location, type and density of future housing and jobs as a way to reduce the need for future residents *Policy T20 Work with transit providers to provide transit service that is fast, frequent, and reliable between urban centers and urban villages and that is accessible to most of the city’s residences and businesses. Pursue strategies that make transit safe, secure, comfortable, residences and businesses. Pursue strategies that make transit safe, secure, comfortable, and affordable. *Policy T21 Support development of an integrated, regional high capacity transit system that links urban centers within the city and the region City of Tacoma Comp Plan includes many policies that promote transit ridership and HCT. http://www.cityoftacoma.org/government/city_departments/planning_and_development_services/planning_services/one_tacoma__comprehensive_plan/ *Policy H–3.3 Promote transit supportive densities along designated corridors that connect centers, including duplex, triplex, cottage housing, and townhouses. *Policy 3.13 Encourage Transit Ridership Encourage transit ridership by implementing pedestrian improvements near transit stops, conducting outreach to employers, and working with public transit agencies to identify strategies to improve the frequency and ridership of transit service, including bus, streetcar, and light rail, between high density residential areas and employment centers. These strategies would include locating transit stops / stations to maximize convenience of transfers between modes and / or connecting to other routes. 3. If no, please describe how the project is consistent with the applicable local comprehensive plan, including specific local policies and provisions the project supports. N/A

Federal Functional Classification

1. Functional class name 00 Not applicable (transit, enhancements, Etc.)

Support for Centers

1. Designated center(s) supported ST Express bus routes serve 23 designated regional centers in Snohomish, Pierce and King Counties providing 15,000 additional service hours, convenient and efficient express bus service with limited stops at various transit centers and park & rides linking the three-county region.

Criteria: Benefit to Center

1. Describe how the project will benefit or support the existing and planned housing and employment development of a center or centers. Does it support multiple centers? This project benefits existing and planned development of centers by improving high capacity transit service linking major urban centers in the three-county region: Snohomish, King and Pierce Counties. This project benefits centers by directly serving 107,459 residents, 370,657 jobs and 45,200 households in the 12 designated centers and one Manufacturing/Industrial Center – Sumner-Pacific.

See appendices for Table 1 that includes a list of center data.

ST Express buses provide efficient and reliable transit service with connections to these centers that have dense mixed use development and employment opportunities. The project supports regional, countywide and local development goals by connecting residents with jobs, housing and activities via high capacity transit. Housing and development goals in regionally designated centers encourage and support high capacity transit to, from and within these centers:

REGIONAL GOALS: By supporting more compact development in designated centers and around transit stations, this project is consistent with VISION 2040. Examples of regional development goals supported by the project include:

VISION 2040 Housing Policies Supported include: “MPP-H-6: Recognize and give regional funding priority to transportation facilities, infrastructure, and services that explicitly advance the development of housing in designated regional growth centers. Give additional priority to projects and services that advance affordable housing.” Source: PSRC, VISION 2040 Housing (pages 68 and 69) http://www.psrc.org/assets/1743/Housing.pdf

MPP-Ec-6: Ensure the efficient flow of people, goods, services, and information in and through the region with infrastructure investments, particularly in and connecting designated centers, to meet the distinctive needs of the regional economy. LOCAL GOALS: The project supports housing and employment of local jurisdictions that ST Express serves by focusing investments in public transportation infrastructure and services that help ensure fast, reliable connections to larger job markets and activity centers. A sampling of supportive city policies are shown below.

City of Seattle – The city of Seattle's Comprehensive Plan "Toward a Sustainable Seattle” uses an “Urban Village” strategy to preserve the qualities of the city’s distinct neighborhoods. Seattle’s “Center City Strategy” proposes zoning changes aimed at increasing the rate and density of housing development, increasing the commercial floor area, and requiring contributions to affordable housing development in downtown Seattle. Seattle’s comprehensive plan includes goals and priorities that support development of centers and “clean” transportation options connecting to its center including some of the following examples: • UV2 Promote conditions that support healthy neighborhoods throughout the city, includ-ing those conducive to helping mixed-use urban village communities thrive, such as focused transportation demand management strategies, vital business districts, a range of housing choices, a range of park and open space facilities, and investment and reinvest¬ment in neighborhoods. • UV2.5 In areas surrounding major transit hubs, except in industrial zones, allow densities sufficient to take advantage of significant in¬vestment in public transportation infrastruc- ture. Use incentive zoning programs and other strategies to help ensure the provision of affordable housing.

City Bellevue – To meet planned growth the City of Bellevue has made land use and planning decisions for increased employment and residential density based in part on supporting high capacity transit. The Bellevue Comprehensive Plan includes city codes and standards, policies and procedures and capital investments incorporating high capacity transit in downtown Bellevue. Additionally the Bellevue City Council approved (2014) a 20-year vision for the city, including strategic target areas and two-year priorities for Economic Development and Transportation and Mobility including: continue to execute transportation capital plans for future growth and mobility of the city, including projects in downtown, BelRed, Wilburton and other growth areas; advocate for improved transit service in Bellevue and Eastside. *HO-7. Encourage the development of affordable housing through incentives and other tools consistent with state enabling legislation. *HO-12. Provide incentives to encourage residential development for a range of household types and income levels in multifamily and mixed use commercial zones. *HO-32. Evaluate surplus city land for use for affordable housing. *ED-16. Encourage development of a range of housing opportunities to accommodate Bellevue’s growing workforce. *ED-41. Actively coordinate with local and regional government and economic agencies to *ED-41. Actively coordinate with local and regional government and economic agencies to develop and implement countywide and shared economic development policies. *TR-65. Support a frequent transit network in Bellevue that serves transit hubs and population and employment centers with reliable commuter and all-day service and seamless interface between transit routes, East Link, and other modes. City of Tacoma’s Comprehensive Plan: (http://cms.cityoftacoma.org/sustainability/Transportation%20Element%206-15-10.pdf) includes goals that “achieve a multimodal transportation system that efficiently moves people and goods with optimum safety and appropriate speed, maximizes the conservation of energy, and minimally disrupts the desirable features of the environment. The plan also states coordination with Sound Transit. The plan’s Growth Strategy and Development Concept states “the use of public transportation will occur for daily travel between home and work as well as for travel between centers within the city and other communities in Pierce County and the region.” Support for a high-capacity transit system is a top priority. Tacoma’s comprehensive plan includes goals and priorities that support development of centers and “clean” transportation options connecting to these centers including: *T-LUT-3 Centers and Corridors - Give high priority to improvement of transportation facilities and services within designated centers and along identified corridors connecting the centers. *T-LUT-4 Support Economic Bases - Give high priority to those transportation facilities that provide the greatest opportunity to serve and support the existing economic bases and will aid the City in attracting new investments. Supporting Multiple Centers Sound Transit's entire ST Express Bus network serves 23 designated regional centers - that’s more centers in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties than any other transit service provider in the region. The new buses needed to support additional 15,000 hours will ultimately be allocated to the 28 Express Bus routes directly serving these centers. More importantly, the new buses will operate on those routes (e.g. 510-512 Everett-Seattle, 545 Redmond- Seattle,550 Seattle-Bellevue, 577/578 Federal Way-Seattle, 590-594 Seattle-Tacoma) that are currently experiencing extreme overcrowding that directly serve 13 designated centers. ST Express provides direct connections to 13 designated centers through comfortable, frequent, efficient and reliable high capacity transit with stops at numerous transit centers and park & rides throughout the region. ST Express connects to other transit service in the region’s network including local and express bus service (including BRT) provided King County Metro, Community Transit, Pierce Transit, and Everett Transit. It also connects with commuter rail, light rail, passenger rail, streetcar and ferry service located in these centers. These services and connections are critical in providing access to and between the designated centers in the region.

The purchase of these eleven buses improves express bus service traveling primarily on the heavily congested I-5, I-90, and 520 corridors during the peak periods. These routes also include expanded off-peak and weekend trips to serve students, tourists, transit-dependent populations and other non-commuter groups accessing centers. The buses will help address on-time performance, schedule reliability and meet future demand on ST Express. 2. Describe how the project will support the development or redevelopment plans and activities (objectives and aims) of a center or centers. This project supports development plans and activities of centers by providing efficient and reliable high capacity transit service to areas of dense mixed-use development and employment. Regional high capacity transit has been incorporated into the region’s development goals and planning policies of these designated centers including:

Sound Transit Plans • ST2 the 15-year regional mass transit plan approved by voters on November 4, 2008. • This project is also included in ST’s 2017 Service Implementation Plan. • The Regional Transit Long-Range Vision (RTA, adopted May 31, 1996). • Sound Transit's Six-Year Transit Development Plan and 2017 Transit Improvement Program.

PSRC Regional Plans Sound Transit has a project in the current Regional & State Transportation Improvement Program for its bus program, RTA-5 Regional Express Program.

PSRC’s “Vision 2040” policies that support high capacity transit include the following: MPP- Ec-6: Ensure the efficient flow of people, goods, services, and information in and through the region with infrastructure investments, particularly in and connecting designated centers, to meet the distinctive needs of the regional economy., MPP-T-9: Coordinate state, regional, and local planning efforts for transportation through the Puget Sound Regional Council to develop and operate a highly efficient, multimodal system that supports the regional growth strategy., MPP-T-23: Emphasize transportation investments that provide and encourage alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle travel and increase travel options, especially to and within centers and along corridors connecting centers., MPP-T-24: Increase the proportion of trips made by transportation modes that are alternatives to driving alone., MPP-T-26: Strategically expand capacity and increase efficiency of the transportation system to move goods, services, and people to and within the urban growth area. Focus on investments that produce the greatest net benefits to people and minimize the environmental impacts of transportation. •The project is identified in the Regional Transit Component of the Metropolitan Transportation System

City of Seattle The city of Seattle's Comprehensive Plan "Toward a Sustainable Seattle", uses an “Urban Village” strategy to preserve the quality of the city’s distinct neighborhoods. The strategy outlines the city’s character of development achieved through directing growth to Urban Villages, where conditions and infrastructure can best support increased densities and transit. Seattle’s “Center City Strategy” proposes zoning changes aimed at increasing the rate and density of housing development, increasing the commercial floor area, and requiring contributions to affordable housing development in downtown Seattle.

Seattle’s comprehensive plan includes goals and priorities that support development of centers and transportation options connecting to its center including some of the following examples: • UVG3 Promote densities, mixes of uses, and transportation improvements that support walking, use of public transportation, and other transportation demand management (TDM) strategies, especially within urban centers and urban villages. • UVG9 Maximize the benefit of public investment in infrastructure and services, and deliver those services more equitably by focusing new infrastructure and services, as well as maintenance and improvements to existing infrastructure and services, in areas expect¬ing to see additional growth, and by focus¬ing growth in areas with sufficient infrastruc¬ture and services to support that growth. • UV2 Promote conditions that support healthy neighborhoods throughout the city, includ¬ing those conducive to helping mixed-use urban village communities thrive, such as focused transportation demand management strategies, vital business districts, a range of housing choices, a range of park and open space facilities, and investment and reinvest¬ment in neighborhoods. • UV2.5 In areas surrounding major transit hubs, except in industrial zones, allow densities sufficient to take advantage of significant in¬vestment in public transportation infrastruc¬ture. Use incentive zoning programs and other strategies to help ensure the provision of affordable housing. City Bellevue To meet planned growth the City of Bellevue has made land use and planning decisions for increased employment and residential density based in part on supporting high capacity transit. The Bellevue Comprehensive Plan includes city codes and standards, policies and procedures and capital investments incorporating high capacity transit in downtown Bellevue. Additionally the Bellevue City Council approved (2014) a 20-year vision for the city, including strategic target areas and two-year priorities for Economic Development and Transportation and Mobility including: continue to execute transportation capital plans for future growth and mobility of the city, including projects in downtown, BelRed, Wilburton and other growth areas; advocate for improved transit service in Bellevue and Eastside. The City of Bellevue is also providing station area planning and TOD incentives for development around the transit stations, including Bellevue Transit Center. ST Express 550 serves Bellevue Transit Center. City of Tacoma (http://cms.cityoftacoma.org/sustainability/Transportation%20Element%206- 15-10.pdf) includes goals that “achieve a multimodal transportation system that efficiently moves people and goods with optimum safety and appropriate speed, maximizes the conservation of energy, and minimally disrupts the desirable features of the environment. The plan also states coordination with Sound Transit. The plan’s Growth Strategy and Development Concept states “the use of public transportation will occur for daily travel between home and work as well as for travel between centers within the city and other communities in Pierce County and the region.” Support for a high-capacity transit system is a top priority. Tacoma’s comprehensive plan includes goals and priorities that support development of centers and “clean” transportation options connecting to these centers including: • T-LUT-3 Centers and Corridors - Give high priority to improvement of transportation facilities and services within designated centers and along identified corridors connecting the centers. • T-LUT-4 Support Economic Bases - Give high priority to those transportation facilities that provide the greatest opportunity to serve and support the existing economic bases and will aid the City in attracting new investments. Regional Development Plans and Goals This project is further supports VISION 2040’s multicounty planning policies. The multicounty planning policies included in VISION 2040 articulate a regional vision for through six policy sections - environment, development patterns, housing, economy, transportation, and public services. This project specifically supports the following policies related to development patterns, economy, and transportation including: • MPP-T-3: Reduce the need for new capital improvements through investments in operations, pricing programs, demand management strategies, and system management activities that improve the efficiency of the current system. • MPP-T-6: Seek the development and implementation of transportation modes and technologies that are energy-efficient and improve system performance. • MPP-T-7: Develop a transportation system that minimizes negative impacts to human health. • MPP-T-23: Emphasize transportation investments that provide and encourage alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle travel and increase travel options, especially to and within centers and along corridors connecting centers.

This project also supports Transit Oriented Development (TOD) because the buses will serve transit facilities that already include or will include TOD. Some examples of TOD at transit facilities served by these buses include: Federal Way Transit Center Sound Transit’s first public-private TOD partnership with the Korean Women's Association's Senior City housing facility. The mixed-use facility, located at 31621 23rd Ave S., provides rental housing for 61 low-income residents, a residential unit for an onsite manager, and 3,125 square feet of office space for the organization. In 2007 Sound Transit sold a portion of the land it acquired for construction of its Federal Way Transit Center to KWA through a competitive application process. It also granted KWA $25,000 in pre-development monies to assist in securing funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the King County Housing Program, the City of Federal Way Community Development Block Grant Program, and other agencies to design and construct the $18 million facility.

TOD around Lynnwood Transit Center - In 2013, the Lynnwood Transit Center was analyzed for TOD potential, including transit and nonmotorized access, market assessments and potential development opportunities, housing and retail, etc. Urban Land Institute (ULI) Northwest has been active in station area planning and redevelopment projects throughout the region. The ULI Northwest Technical Assistance Panel provided recommendations for how cities could best leverage transit investments and engage partners and the public in a station area planning process. ST Express 510 and 511 serve Lynnwood Transit Center.

TOD in Redmond /Overlake - The City of Redmond is providing station area planning and TOD incentives for its major transit stations. In December 2011, the Redmond City Council approved a development agreement that allows a hotel and conference center, 1,400 apartments or condos and 1.2 million square feet of offices and stores on the site of Group Health’s former Eastside hospital. The 28-acre mixed-use development in the Overlake Village area is located adjacent to Microsoft’s main campus. The City of Redmond has up-zoned the Overlake Village Station area height limits and incentivized, sustainable, higher density, TOD development. Zoning regulations for Overlake Village reward urban density, innovation, and sustainability. ST Express route 545 serves Redmond Overlake and Downtown Redmond. Partnership with Microsoft Corporation – Sound Transit and Microsoft have existing partnerships in the Overlake Transit Center area. In 2001, Microsoft conveyed ownership of the property for the Overlake Transit Center to Sound Transit. Sound Transit built the Overlake Transit Center bus transit center in 2002, in partnership with King County Metro, the City of Redmond, Microsoft, and WSDOT. Microsoft will fund covered, pedestrian/bicycle bridges over the SR 520 freeway, connecting Microsoft’s two main campuses to the future light rail station at Overlake Village. In addition, Microsoft is funding other station improvements that would enhance rider experience in and around the station, including a retail component and additional weather protection.

Seattle King St Station - “Stadium Place” is a mixed use, diversified income project next to King St Station. The development will provide a mixture of rental housing for all levels of income. An up-zone of the property was approved by the City of Seattle that raises maximum height limits from the former limits of 85’ for commercial and 120’ for residential to 240’ for both uses. The development includes: three residential towers with 740 units, plus 180,000 SF of office, a 300 room hotel and conference center, retail and parking components. It includes 30 units of affordable housing located on-site. An additional 85 units of affordable housing connected with the project will be located at the Hirabayashi Place at Fourth and Main.

Tacoma Dome Station – In February 2017, the City of Tacoma issued a Request for Interest seeking a developer for a high-density housing and commercial project at 415 E. 25th St. The city and Pierce Transit envision 100-unit apartment building with commercial uses on the ground floor. The property — where a maintenance shed now stands — is adjacent to the Tacoma Dome Station and across the street from Freighthouse Square. The housing could be market rate or “mixed-income not to exceed 20 percent affordable units.” Source: Tacoma News Tribune “New effort underway to build ‘transit-oriented development’ in Tacoma’s Dome District”). 3. Describe how the project improves safe and convenient access to major destinations within the center, including enhanced opportunities for active destinations within the center, including enhanced opportunities for active transportation that can provide public health benefits through the following relevant areas: walkability, public transit access, public transit speed and reliability, safety & security, bicycle mobility and facilities, streetscape improvements, etc. By providing safe, reliable and efficient high capacity transit connecting centers, this project improves safe and convenient access to/within centers by enhancing the region’s transportation network. Unlike fixed guideway systems, bus routes are flexible and can go almost everywhere there is asphalt, linking a variety of destinations and centers including major employer sites, retail centers, sporting venues and other points of interest thoughout the county and region - in a convenient manner. These buses will serve centers that have 370,657 jobs. Commuters get the ultimate travel choice with the ability to link multiple origins/destinations that are not and will not be served by fixed guideway systems. This project will significantly improve access to centers by providing the buses needed for 15,000 additional service hours of ST Express bus. Access to Transit and Opportunities ST Express connects to major population and employment centers including Everett, Seattle Downtown Seattle, Bellevue Downtown, Seattle University Community, Redmond Downtown, Redmond Overlake, and Tacoma Downtown. Routes the new HCT buses will operate on also connect to major park and rides and transit centers including: • Everett Station - serves as a transportation hub as well as a career development center that houses social service programs and is the center of a 10-acre complex that includes parking lots and a large bus station used primarily by Community Transit, Everett Transit, and Sound Transit Express. The station has served as the northern terminus of the Sounder North Line since 2003 and Swift Bus Rapid Transit since 2009. It consists of two side platforms, one serving Amtrak and the other serving Sounder commuter trains. Everett Station also functions as a park and ride, with 1,067 short-term parking spaces located in lots around the station. • Seattle University Community – provides transit access to a densely populated and heavy retail area adjacent to UW campus, UW Medical Center; connections to new ST Light rail extension • Redmond Downtown/Redmond Town Center - nearly 400 parking spaces located in a densely populated area with retail, multifamily housing, a pedestrian-friendly environment. • Redmond Overlake - adjacent to Microsoft Campus and supporting businesses; 170 parking spaces, bike lockers, and customer service office. • Bellevue Transit Center – centrally located downtown, the Bellevue Transit Center is served by King County Metro routes, including Rapid Ride, and Sound Transit routes, with local and county-wide connections across the Puget Sound area. Additionally, the facility offers bicycle racks, rider services, ORCA Card vending machines, and a kiss-and-ride passenger drop-off area.

• Federal Way Transit Center - a large transit facility with 1,190 parking spaces, bicycle lockers and racks, customer information and security office, and restrooms. This is a well used transit center supporting south King County residents.

• Tacoma Dome Station - a large multimodal station with light rail, local and express bus service, Sounder commuter rail and Amtrak Cascades high speed rail (Portland-Seattle- Vancouver BC) and over 2,200 parking spaces. It is estimated that well over 3 million people use the facility each year.

ST Express also connects with other transit services in the region through timed transfers with a vast network of local feeder bus service provided by King County Metro, Community Transit and Pierce Transit. ST Express bus service is also integrated with Sound Transit commuter rail and Link light rail, BRT and Amtrak passenger rail (Seattle-Portland-Vancouver high speed rail corridor) and the Washington State Ferries.

By providing safe, reliable express service, these buses will support commuters traveling to employment centers; students traveling to education opportunities; and the transit dependent traveling to healthcare/social services. The project supports access to businesses and residences within transit station areas and helps minimize additional congestion and impacts to centers and neighborhood traffic by more efficiently moving people through the area with less environmental impacts as compared to SOV travel. This project is estimated to annually reduce approximately 357,000-714,000 vehicle trips and 6,602,960-13,205,920 vehicle miles traveled. During an average weekday, ST Express has 64,000 boardings (2016) and continues to add riders to an already productive network. An estimated 1,400-2,800 new riders are expected per weekday as a result of the additional service hours associated with these buses. Since 2015, the average weekday ST Express trip served 40 riders, with peak trips serving over an average of 50 passengers per trip.

Transit Speed and Reliability This project contributes to the region’s economic health by helping to reduce congestion on key corridors that serve employment and population centers such as I-5, I-90 and SR-520. In 2015, the I-5 corridor in the central Puget Sound region between Federal Way and Everett experienced vehicle delay northbound around the I-90 interchange and between Northgate and downtown Seattle, as well as southbound at SeaTac and the SR 520 interchange. Vehicle delay along the I-5 corridor was consistently equal to or higher in 2015 than in 2013. The amount of delay significantly increased between 2013 and 2015 at specific locations on the I- 5 corridor including: southbound at SeaTac (up 105%), northbound at the I-90 interchange (up 33%), and in both directions near Northgate up 25%). Delay would have been worse without transit.

Data shows that even with conservative assumptions, transit ridership along the I-5 corridor translates to a capacity savings equivalent to more than four additional lanes of traffic during peak commute periods. Improvements in transit can provide significant benefits in capacity and reducing travel delay on these corridors. This project provides significant transit benefits to the I-5 corridor as well as other highways and arterials in the region because it provides eleven new buses need to implement 15,000 additional annual platform hours for ST Express service for the purposes of improving schedule reliability and service efficiency on ST Express routes that serve designated centers. Additionally, data shows that the average transit travel time in the I-5 corridor from Everett to Seattle and Seattle to Federal Way is thirteen minutes faster than SOV. (WSDOT 2016 Core Capacity Report – morning commute – 2015) This project will move 1,400-2,800 new riders through these corridors without adding any lanes or more SOVs.

Safety and Security Providing a safe and secure environment for our riding public is a top priority for Sound Transit. Sound Transit has its own police contracted through the King County Sheriff's Office. Officers routinely patrol transit stations and facilities and monitor car, bicycle and pedestrian traffic.

Sound Transit also has its own safety education outreach program and staffing. This program is very proactive and provides several key resources for staying safe around Sound Transit service. Sound Transit safety staff do regular safety education presentations for schools, community centers and youth programs. After the safety education, complimentary and discounted tickets/passes are provided. In 2016, Sound Transit provided 4,035 complimentary tickets/passes, worth $68,150 after providing Educational Outreach and complimentary tickets/passes, worth $68,150 after providing Educational Outreach and Transit Training for students and youth. Sound Transit stations and assets have numerous safety features including lighting, a Closed Circuit Television system for monitoring commuter rail platforms, assets and facilities, passenger assistance intercoms for emergency situations, illuminated variable message signage, tactile warning at platform edge, fire/emergency management console, and a public address system. Stations are patrolled by Sound Transit security and transit police. Bicycle Mobility and Facilities Sound Transit encourages bringing your bicycle to and from our facilities and service, including on our buses. Bicycles are allowed on all Sound Transit vehicles at no extra cost. All ST Express buses include bicycle storage for up to three bikes. Racks on buses, lockers and/or cages are also available at all Sound Transit facilities. All of the 11 new buses will include bicycle racks that hold 3 bicycles. Transit provides Public Health Benefits Transit investments can create indirect health benefits associated with increased physical activity for new transit. Based on a review of various studies that were recently conducted in the US, the health care cost savings to those who regularly get more exercise (such as walking 30 minutes per day to/from transit) have been consolidated in a report published by the Transportation Research Board. The TRB report stated that a median value of $128 per year was a reasonable assumption for monetizing the health benefits. 4. Describe how the project provides a range of travel modes to users traveling to centers, or if it provides a missing mode. This project will improve transit service by providing 11 new buses that connect to centers and other travel modes. The buses provide service to 107,459 residents, 370,657 jobs and 45,200 households in the 13 designated centers and one Manufacturing/Industrial Center – Sumner-Pacific. On most routes, ST Express serves 25 transit centers and over 30 park-and- rides, seven days a week. Buses make limited stops to efficiently get users to and from work; centers and activity areas; and school. All of the buses include bike racks, which enables people to be able to ride the “first and last” mile to and from transit centers. Providing Intermodal Connections ST Express buses provide connections to a range of travel modes including Amtrak passenger rail service; Sound Transit’s Sounder commuter rail and Link light rail; and other local and BRT service provided by Everett Transit, Community Transit, King County Metro, and Pierce Transit with additional connections to Island Transit and Skagit Transit. These buses will provide access to express commuter service to/from Snohomish, Pierce and King Counties from more rural counties/areas of the region. ST Express bus is coordinated with other transit service through integrated service planning and timed transfers with Pierce Transit, Community Transit, and King County Metro. There’s been a long history of transit agency coordination in this region, and ongoing collaboration and integration remains a top priority. The following are some examples of forums that support ongoing transit agency collaboration in the region:

Interagency Coordination Transit executives regularly meet to discuss and coordinate on policy and funding issues, project and service delivery, and short-term and long-term transit planning.

The Transit Integration Group (TIG) was formed in 1998 to move toward integration of the regional transit system by focusing on priority issues and guiding principles that include ease of use for customers, policy coordination and cooperation, and smooth and coordinated system performance among others.

PSRC has several committees dedicated to coordinating on issues of common concern to transit agencies. The Transportation Operators Committee (TOC) is a standing committee of the PSRC Transportation Policy Board, and represented on the policy board by a nonvoting member. The TOC is PSRC’s primary forum for addressing transit-related long-range and short-range transportation planning topics in the region.

The HCT buses will be operated and maintained through existing service agreements with Community Transit, King County Metro and Pierce Transit. 5. Describe the user groups that will benefit from the project, including commuters, residents, commercial users, those groups identified in the President’s Order for Environmental Justice, seniors, people with disabilities, those located in highly impacted communities, and/or areas experiencing high levels of unemployment or chronic underemployment. The buses will support riders traveling to and from centers through the provision of additional service hours. This project will also benefit shoppers, tourists, sports fans as well as the elderly/transit-dependent users relying on transit to access health care, childcare and other social service amenities. This project would serve several user groups including low-income and minority populations:

• Commuters/Residents -- commuters and residents will benefit from the additional hours of service and schedule reliability during peak and non-peak commute times. Commuters also benefit from ST Express connecting to other commute options such as the Sounder commuter rail and Link light rail. ST Express provides frequent, all day service on many routes. In peak periods, service can be every 10 minutes. • Local and express bus riders -- bus riders will benefit from the connections ST Express provides to other local and express bus service and access to regional transit facilities. • Pedestrians/Bicyclists will benefit from the walkways and connections and bike lockers provided at the stations; the new 11 buses will include bike racks that hold 3 bicycles. • Minority/low-income populations: Percent minority population for census tracts in the ST Express service area served by these buses range from 23% in downtown Everett to 50-85% in Seattle Downtown to 50% in Tacoma Downtown (PSRC Interactive Resource Map). Many minority households are also low-income and lack access to an automobile and/or do not have convenient access to transit. Low-income families also face a higher burden when making transportation choices because they often pay a higher percentage of their monthly income on transportation costs. Households in poverty for census tracts in the ST Express service area served by these buses range from 21% in downtown Everett to 12--37% in Seattle CBD to 11-17% in downtown Tacoma. Region-wide, the poverty rate is approximately 11%. These census tracts also show low access to opportunities (PSRC Interactive Resource Map).

This project will connect minority and low-income residents to jobs and other services and can reduce the burden of vehicle ownership. In the Puget Sound region, public transit riders save approximately $11,661 annually or $972 per month, 5th highest savings in the U.S. (APTA). In addition to the access benefits of this project, Sound Transit provides a fare discount to all riders who pay with special low-income ORCA LIFT cards.

• Elderly populations: Elderly populations in census tracts in the ST Express service area served by these buses range from 12% in Everett; 13-20% in Seattle Downtown; and 8-18% in Tacoma Downtown (PSRC Interactive Resource Map). Elderly people largely “age in place,” in neighborhoods where daily activities require frequent car trips. Many of these older adults need affordable and accessible alternatives to driving. Without access to travel options, seniors face isolation, a reduced quality of life, and possible economic hardship.

• Disabled populations: Disabled populations in census tracts in ST Express service area served by these buses range from 32% in Everett; 14-28% in Seattle Downtown; and 10-15% served by these buses range from 32% in Everett; 14-28% in Seattle Downtown; and 10-15% in Tacoma Downtown (PSRC Interactive Resource Map). Public transportation provides a vital link to more than 51 million Americans with disabilities (US Census Bureau). ST Express buses are wheelchair accessible and designated seating is also available. If other passengers are using these seats, the operator will politely ask them to move and assist with helping the rider. The Title VI population averages for the Sound Transit service area are: • Minority - 36.9% • Low Income - 10.4% • LEP - 12.6% Access to Higher Employment The HCT buses will help provide additional capacity to areas of higher unemployment. Service is provided from Pierce and Snohomish Counties to/from King County. Unemployment in Pierce County is 6.2%, Snohomish is 4.2% - both are higher than Seattle (3.7%) and Pierce County is higher than the state (5.1%) levels. ST Express buses provide access to living-wage jobs, which can help families living in poverty improve their circumstances. Transit availability provides people living in Snohomish, Pierce County and South King County access to jobs in Seattle. Environmental Justice: Sound Transit is committed to environmental justice and analyzes service changes to ensure that affected residents, including environmental justice populations, benefit or aren’t negatively impacted. This project will benefit minority, low- income, seniors and persons with disabilities by improving high capacity transit for these populations. Additionally, Sound Transit conducts a service equity analysis, also known as a Title VI evaluation analysis, to ensure that changes in transit service are consistent with Title VI policies defined by the Federal Transit Administration and policies defined by the Sound Transit Board of Directors. The service change supported by these buses was analyzed for whether it met the major service change threshold and it was determined that this did not exceed the threshold of a major service change and a full service equity analysis is not required. 6. Describe how the project will support the establishment of new jobs/businesses or the retention of exisitng jobs/businesses including those in the industry clusters identified in the adopted Regional Economic Strategy. This project includes the purchase of eleven new HCT buses, supporting jobs related to manufacturing and mechanical work associated with transit rolling stock. The new buses would also provide direct service to at least 13 designated centers which includes access to over 370,000 jobs. (Source: PSRC Centers pop and employment data - 2015).

HCT Bus Service Connects Population and Job Centers Comprehensive plans continue to support the development of Sound Transit HCT bus service as an important means of expanding the cities and the region’s economic base. In 2016, the central Puget Sound region gained 59,400 jobs, marking the 7th consecutive year of job growth. PSRC identified items that support the implementation of the Regional Economic Strategy. “Build-out of Sound Transit’s regional high-capacity transit system” was identified as an economic development priority.

Transit access fosters longer-term economic growth, supporting the establishment of new jobs and the retention of existing jobs at major employers. A sampling of some major employers serving the centers benefiting from this project include: Providence Regional Medical Center, Naval Station Everett, Microsoft Company, Aerotek Inc, Boeing, Expedia Inc., Microsoft, Nordstrom Inc, Puget Sound Energy, T-Mobile USA, Amazon, Starbucks, Emeritus Corp, City of Seattle, Auburn Regional Medical Center, Good Samaritan Hospital, Franciscan Health System, UW Tacoma Campus. For a list of major employers in centers served by this project, see Table 1 in Appendix.

Residents of these centers traveling to jobs in other parts of the region benefit from improved access to reliable, fast transportation.

This project also supports the region’s economic health and Regional Economic Strategy by: • Supporting access to employment opportunities through additional hours of regional express bus service • Reducing congestion on key corridors by providing reductions in vehicle trips of up to 714,000 and up to 13,205,920 vehicle miles traveled • Promoting economic growth by supporting new jobs related to manufacturing and mechanical work. • Supporting travel options for commuters, reducing national dependence on oil, and fostering livable urban and rural communities.

This project further supports the Regional Economic Strategy because it strengthens the “Transportation Initiative” by building an effective and efficient transportation system. ST Express connects with the regional multimodal transportation system, provides an investment in transit to support the region’s growth strategy, and provides infrastructure that supports and enhances travel to and from centers. This project ensures that Puget Sound residents have access to family wage jobs, and employers have access to world class talent by providing convenient transit service to these jobs and employment areas. This project directly benefits the Logistics and International Trade Cluster because it supports mobility for employees commuting to and from work via the ST Express bus service.

This project also supports one of PSRC’s Economic Development priorities for 2016 because it “builds-out Sound Transit’s regional high-capacity transit system.” 7. Does the project promote Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) opportunities? This project promotes Commute Trip Reduction opportunities for the region by supporting reductions in drive-alone trips, an estimated 357,000-714,000, and 6,602,960-13,205,920 vehicle miles traveled annually, by providing eleven new high capacity transit buses needed to operate additional bus service in key regional corridors such as I-5 and I-90. The additional service hours will reach into the urbanized areas of Pierce, King and Snohomish counties and provide support for easing congestion and operating the region’s transportation system more efficiently. The improved schedule and reliability as a result of this project will help people get to their jobs faster.

Additionally, many transit riders use an ORCA card provided by their employer. The ORCA regional business account program allows Sound Transit and regional partners to offer local employers a program that includes a range of transit benefits. These transit benefits may be completely subsidized or discounted for companies with as few as 5 employees (depending on location). ORCA Business Accounts fall under one of two programs: Business Passport and Business Choice. Business Passport products are priced based on actual transit usage for an individual large company (custom account) or an aggregate of smaller employers in a geographical area (area account), while Business Choice accounts offer businesses the ability to purchase bulk retail products and manage them online.

In 2016, 41% of ST Express riders paid for their ride using an ORCA Business Account Passport provided by their employer.

Criteria: System Continuity/Long Term Benefit-Sustainability 1. Describe how this project provides a "logical segment" that serves a center, or allows users to access the system. Purchase of the eleven HCT buses supports a “logical segment” in the region’s transportation system by providing new buses needed to improve ST Express service reliability, efficiency and schedule. The purpose of ST Express service is to connect regional centers. This project provides additional bus service on routes experiencing on-time performance and capacity issues that travel to/from major urban centers. Additional buses to relieve overcrowding and add seating capacity provides users improved access to the system. An estimated 25 to 50 new weekday trips are expected with these buses. More buses will eliminate riders having to stand or wait for the next scheduled bus to arrive when others are full. Access to the System This project also supports ST Express service reliability and efficiency along the congested I- 5, I-90 and SR 520 corridors, connecting major population and employment centers from Everett to Lakewood to Seattle, Bellevue and Redmond. These buses will serve several multi- modal stations that are adjacent to dense mixed used areas with access to other transportation options and services including: Everett Station Everett Station serves as a transportation hub as well as a higher education and career development center. Everett Station is home to the Everett Transit Customer Service Center as well as WorkSource, WorkForce and Espresso Americano. Amtrak, Greyhound, Northwest Trailways, Skagit Transit, Island Transit, Sound Transit and Community Transit also provide service from Everett Station. Bellevue Transit Center The Bellevue Transit Center is a bus station and future light rail station in downtown Bellevue. As the main transit hub for the eastside of King County, 20 King County Metro and Sound Transit Express routes operate via the center. The transit center is the western terminus of the Rapid Ride B Line, which runs east to Redmond. Seattle/King Street Station The station is served by Amtrak Cascades, Coast Starlight and Empire Builder long distance rail lines and Amtrak intercity buses. It includes convenient connections to Sound Transit commuter rail, light rail and Express bus, it also provides access to other local bus service and the Seattle Streetcar, which provides service to major medical services on First Hill. Tacoma Dome Station A multi-modal transit facility serving Amtrak long-distance and Amtrak Cascades passenger rail, Sounder commuter rail, Tacoma Link light rail, Greyhound, and local and express bus services. Tacoma Dome Station is located in the downtown/CBD area and supports well over three million users per year. 2. Describe how the project fills in a missing link or removes barriers to a center (e.g. congestion, inadequate transit service/facilities.). This project removes a barrier to centers by providing additional reliable and efficient transit service directly serving 13 designated centers. The new 11 buses will be used on routes that are overcrowded – providing much needed capacity and reliability to the corridor. ST Express is a network of regional express buses that serve major regional transit hubs and centers throughout 53 cities in three counties (King, Pierce, and Snohomish) in the Puget Sound region. Sound Transit Express bus ranks first in the nation in the number of commuter bus passengers carried and in vehicle miles driven. These buses are needed to support additional ST Express service hours needed to meet rider demand; alleviate overcrowding; and improve schedule reliability and efficiency. This project will also fill a “missing link” by adding new buses that would support approximately 25 to 50 new additional trips in the ST Express system. These new trips allows more users to access the system and centers.

Sound Transit currently operates 28 ST Express Bus routes which provide direct travel connections to the region’s designated centers between Snohomish, Pierce and King Counties through the provision of comfortable, fast, and efficient express bus service with stops at numerous transit centers and park & rides lots in the three-county region.

ST Express routes travel primarily on the heavily congested I-5, I-90, and 520, corridors during the am/pm peak commutes. These corridors have major choke points and bottlenecks that continue to require significant traffic mitigation measures to maintain even current levels of traffic flow during rush hour through 2040. In order to relieve overcrowding, help mitigate congestion, address demand and maintain ST’s service standards, this project will provide the buses needed to support service reliability imrovements on all routes and particularly those routes 510, 512, 545, 550, 577, 578, 590 and 594, that directly serve 13 centers: Everett, Lynnwood, Seattle CBD, University Community, Redmond, Overlake, Bellevue CBD, Federal Way, Puyalup, Auburn, Dowtown Tacoma, Lakewood and Sumner MIC.

ST Express service continues to exhibit sustained ridership growth and significant capacity utilization, particularly during peak periods. Over the past five years, average trip-level ridership increased by over 40 percent. Across several corridors, during peak periods, average trip loads consistently exceed seated capacity. ST Express routes have experienced ridership growth of 22% in average weekday boardings between 2015-2016. ST Express ridership is projected to grow to 20 million annual passengers by 2022. Current annual ridership on these routes is now over 18 million boardings (2016).

Continued high demand for service on these routes has resulted in some passengers forced to wait approximately 15 minutes for the next bus to arrive. The additional seating capacity and new trips (approx 25-50 weekday trips) provided with these new buses are estimated to reduce vehicle trips by 357,000-714,000 trips/year and vehicle miles traveled by 6,602,960- 13,205,920 vehicle miles/year, relieving congestion during the peak commute hours on critical travel corridors serving centers. 3. Describe how this project will relieve pressure or remove a bottleneck on the Metropolitan Transportation System and how this will positively impact overall system performance. Sound Transit provides affordable, environmentally friendly travel options that connect people to where they live, work and play. Moving people on transit is an important action our region can take to improve the local environment, connect communities, reduce sprawl and help relieve pressure on the region’s transportation system. Congestion along major highway corridors in Puget Sound continues to increase, leading to reduced travel time reliability on transit. This increased congestion negatively impacts ST Express on-time performance.

The project will have a positive impact to the ST Express bus network and system performance because the additional buses allow Sound Transit to operate 15,000 additional annual service hours needed to improve on-time performance, schedule reliability and efficiency for a popular and growing regional transportation service.

System Performance Improvements and Reduced Travel Times The project positively impacts overall system performance by offering a fast, reliable travel alternative in regularly congested corridors. High capacity transit buses have the ability to move larger volumes of people compared to an SOV. One of these HCT buses has seats for at least 56 passengers. Each new additional bus adds more capacity to the system without adding a bunch more cars or highway lanes.

• This project helps reduce travel time and delay on the overall transportation system by reducing an estimated 357,000-714,000 vehicle trips and 6,602,960-13,205,920 vehicle reducing an estimated 357,000-714,000 vehicle trips and 6,602,960-13,205,920 vehicle miles traveled on our congested roadways, annually. • Also WSDOT reports (2016 Core Capacity Report) that average morning transit travel time for the I-5 corridor between Everett-Seattle and Federal Way-Seattle is thirteen minutes faster than SOV commute. • Taking ST Express instead of driving from Everett to Seattle during the peak commute time can save approximately 20 minutes of travel time per trip. Taking ST Express from Tacoma to Seattle can save approximately 26 minutes of travel time per trip. (Source: google maps) • The additional capacity and reliability that comes from the 11 additional vehicles helps to strengthen the High Capacity Transit system. • ST Express ridership for 2016 was over 18 million boardings and is estimated to reach 20 million annual passengers and average weekday boardings of 70,000 by 2022. • As a result ST Express bus hours will added serving an anticipated 1,400-2,800 new riders. • The eleven buses provide 4,000+ additional seating capacity to the transportation network. (11 buses x 56 seats x 6.68 weekday trips). • This project is also estimated to provide up to 50 new weekday trips. 4. Describe how the project improves intermodal connections (e.g. between autos, ferries, commuter rail, high capacity transit, bus, carpool, bicycle, etc.), or facilities connections between separate operators of a single mode (e.g., two transit operators). This project will improve transit service and internmodal connections by providing additional ST Express service hours with buses that connect to centers and other modes of travel . The additional service will occur on major regional routes that make intermediate stops at park and rides and transit centers in a three-county region, These park and rides and transit centers also provide amenities and services for commuters, bicylists, pedestrians, cars and vanpools. These new buses improve intermodal connections and benefit users traveling to/from regional transit facilities and designated centers by providing reliable and efficient service and access to a range of travel modes throughout the region including: • Commuter rail: Currently, 22 commuter rail trains are in service each weekday. Sounder trains operate every 20 minutes during the peak period. In September 2017, Sound Transit will be expanding its south line Sounder commuter rail service to 26 weekday train trips. • Light rail and passenger rail: ST Express serves Link and passenger rail stations such as Everett Station, King Street, and Tacoma Dome Station, where riders can also connect to light rail (e.g. Tacoma Link, Central Link) and passenger rail (e.g. Amtrak). Link operates 20 hours per day, with trains arriving as often as every 6 minutes in the peak period, with train speeds of up to 55 mph and service expected to operate 95% or more on time. Currently eight Amtrak Cascades trains serve these stations each weekday, increasing to ten trains by 2017. • Other bus service: ST Express also connects to other express and local bus service, including BRT, coordinated through integrated service planning and timed transfers with Pierce Transit, Community Transit, King County Metro, and Everett Transit. Fleet procurement is also coordinated with those service providers to maintain consistency of bus fleet design and ease of maintenance.

• Park and Rides/Transit Centers: the ST Express bus system serves over 30 park and ride facilities in the region. Per Sound Transit’s System Access Policy (ST Board Resolution No. R2013-03), when designing transit facilities and services, Sound Transit will maximize pedestrian, bicycle and transit access.

• Carpool/Vanpool: Many regional transit centers and stations served by ST Express have passenger drop-off and pick-up areas and designated parking for carpools and vanpools.

• Bicycle/pedestrian: Riders have the option of taking their bicycle onto ST Express buses. Bicycles are allowed on all Sound Transit vehicles at no extra cost and racks, lockers and/or cages are available at all Sound Transit facilities. Each of the 11 new buses requested will include a bike rack that holds 3 bicycles.

Sound Transit also coordinates and integrates its fare structure and transit data with the region’s transit agencies through:

• ORCA and Next Generation ORCA: The ORCA system has become the primary way most transit customers pay their fare. In 2016, there were 480,000 active ORCA cards in use. ORCA processes more than 11 million transactions in a typical month. The ORCA Agency partners include: Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit and Washington State Ferries. ORCA Data Analysis partners include: WSDOT, PSRC and University of Washington. • Open Transit Data: Sound Transit, in partnership with the other transit agencies in the region, also created the Open Transit Data (OTD) initiative, to create a platform of publicly accessible transit data for the Puget Sound region. Members of the initiative include Sound Transit, King County Metro, Community Transit, Pierce Transit, Everett Transit, Seattle Streetcar, Washington State Ferries, Intercity Transit, and the shuttle services operated at Seattle Children’s Hospital and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Sound Transit and its partners launched the OTD initiative to provide a central location for application developers and agencies to access transit data. Application developers behind such products as OneBusAway, the Transit app, and the Moovit app are using this data to create tools for transit riders. 5. If applicable, describe how the project provides an improvement in travel time and/or reliability for transit users traveling to and/or within centers. The project will improve travel time and reliability for regional high capacity transit service that is experiencing overcrowding and schedule challenges traveling to and within centers. It will help alleviate congestion on the region’s urban highways and corridors by providing additional bus service hours and seating capacity to the ST Express network that serve designated centers.

In 2015, the I-5 corridor in the central Puget Sound region between Federal Way and Everett experienced vehicle delay northbound around the I-90 interchange and between Northgate and downtown Seattle, as well as southbound at SeaTac and the SR 520 interchange. Vehicle delay along the I-5 corridor was consistently equal to or higher in 2015 than in 2013. The amount of delay significantly increased between 2013 and 2015 at specific locations on the I- 5 corridor including: southbound at SeaTac (up 105%), northbound at the I-90 interchange (up 33%), and in both directions near Northgate up 25%). I-5 would need five extra lanes to carry more than 56,000 commuters who ride buses between Everett, Seattle and Federal Way, if all those people drove alone.

Improvements in transit can provide significant benefits in capacity and reducing travel delay on these corridors.

This project provides benefits to the I-5 corridor as well as other corridors, highways and arterials in the region because it provides eleven new buses needed to implement 15,000 additional annual platform hours for ST Express service. This will improve schedule reliability and service efficiency on ST Express routes that serve designated centers. The eleven buses will provide additional new transit seating capacity for service in an already constrained network of travel corridors (e.g. I-5). With these new buses, an estimated 357,000-714,000 vehicle trips and 6,602,960-13,205,920 vehicle miles traveled will be reduced annually.

The routes served by this project include a variety of different corridors, the 2016 WSDOT Core Capacity Report https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Accountability/Congestion/ provides Core Capacity Report https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Accountability/Congestion/ provides generalized benefits of commute travel times using transit versus SOV trips during the morning and evening peak periods. The commute between Everett and Seattle and Federal Way and Seattle show, on average, a trip using transit versus SOV results in a savings of 13 minutes per trip. 6. If applicable, describe how the project increases transit use to or within centers. This project increases transit use to/from centers by purchasing new buses that will allow ST to operate 15,000 additional service hours and an estimated 25-50 new weekday transit trips to improve service quality and reliability and increase transit use within these centers. ST Express bus provides direct high capacity transit service to 23 designated centers. This project will increase schedule efficiency and reduce travel times on various commuter routes, improve access to destinations (e.g. centers, jobs, activities) by increasing trip frequencies, and adding new trips through optimizing route efficiencies. The new buses will provide additional transit capacity offering fast, efficient and reliable service along major urban corridors. 7. Describe how this project supports a long-term strategy to maximize the efficiency of the corridor? Describe the problem and how this project will remedy it. The Puget Sound region is one of the fastest growing in the United States. By the year 2040, the Puget Sound region is expected to grow by roughly 1.5 million people and support more than 1.2 million new jobs. All of these new people and new jobs are expected to boost demand for travel within and through the region by about 40%. That’s like adding the entire populations of another Seattle, Bellevue and Tacoma to the already congested region. Preparing for growth will be vital to maintaining the quality of life in the region. Building a world- class transportation system that moves people and goods efficiently will allow us to travel faster and with less stress while keeping the air cleaner. This project supports a long-term strategy to maximizing the efficiency of the region’s transportation system by improving ST Express bus service. Improving bus service can increase the number of riders, approximately 1,400-2,800 new riders per weekday estimated for this project, as well as having the potential to attract new riders. Last year over 18 million people boarded ST Express and more are expected in the near future, 20 million by 2022. Adding and enhancing high capacity transit service to an already congested and constrained regional highway network will improve the efficiency of the corridor without adding new lanes or roads. The new buses would serve an estimated 1,400- 2,800 new riders on fast, efficient and comfortable service along major urban corridors that are experiencing congestion. This project would also result in an estimated 357,000-714,000 vehicle trips and 6,602,960-13,205,920 vehicle miles traveled annually.

Long Term Sustainability One of Sound Transit’s overarching Sustainability Priorities is to increase revenue fleet fuel efficiency and reduce vehicle pollution. At Sound Transit, all fleets deploy the most fuel- efficient, clean and cost-effective vehicles that optimize the use of proven technology. For ST Express, Sound Transit has purchased diesel-hybrid buses, in place of conventional diesel buses. Sound Transit also developed Bus Fleet Fuel Efficiency Strategies. ST also conducted an ST Express bus “eco-driving” pilot program in 2014. Sound Transit’s Sustainability Plan includes a goal of achieving carbon-neutral ST Express by 2050.

Sound Transit incorporates sustainability into planning and designing its regional system, to building capital projects and operating its trains and buses. Sound Transit has an adopted Environmental Policy, Resolution on Sustainability, Executive Order on Sustainability, and produces annual Sustainability Progress Reports and Sustainability Targets and was among the first wave of transit agencies to develop and implement an Environmental and Sustainability Management System (ESMS), a tool for guiding agency efforts toward sustainability. Sound Transit has earned ISO 14001 certification, an international recognition that validates the agency’s ESMS. Sound Transit’s Sustainability Plan and documents can be found at: http://www.soundtransit.org/About-Sound-Transit/Environment-and-sustainability

Sustainable Long Range Financial Plan ST has a dedicated revenue stream that is available in its entirety to finance ST projects and transit operations; no revenues will be drawn from sources that are used to support other services or projects. All aspects of the project are built to meet projected long-term travel demand to/ from multiple regional centers. Getting transit riders to their jobs, homes and activities efficiently and reliably maximizes the efficiency of the region’s transportation system by moving people to where they need to go without adding new lanes to urban highways and corridors that connect to centers. Transit users will benefit not only from improved service to centers and jobs, but also connections to locations of other transit service such as commuter rail, light rail, local and express bus, and ferry service.

This project is included in the ST2 plan and supports future expansion from the voter approved ST3 Plan. Both these plans provide long term solutions to improving and expanding on the region’s transportation system.

Air Quality and Climate Change: Element Selection

1. Please select one or more elements in the list below that are included in the project’s scope of work, and provide the requested information in the pages to follow. Transit and Ferry Service

Air Quality and Climate Change: Transit and Ferry Service

1. What is the current transit ridership for the affected transit stops or routes? ST Express transit ridership for 2016 was 18,468,373 boardings. More specifically boardings for the routes experiencing the most severe overcrowding and schedule issues and the focus of this grant application is 11,248,876 for 2016. • Routes 510/512 Everett - Seattle- 2,598,433 • Route 545 Redmond to Seattle- 2,605,320 • Route 550 Bellevue to Seattle - 3,151,998 • Routes 577/578, Seattle-Federal Way-Puyallup - 1,061,255 • Routes 590/594. Lakewood-Tacoma-Seattle - 1,831,870

For a combined total of 11,248,876 boardings in 2016.

2. What is the average transit trip length for the affected routes? ST Express average trip length for the routes identified above in question 1 is 18.14 miles: All I-5 North lines (including 513)- 17.48 miles ST Express Line 510 - 23.77 miles ST Express Line 511 - 15.12 miles ST Express Line 512 - 16.12 miles ST Express Line 513 - 17.90 miles ST Express Lines 510 and 512 -18.09 miles 520 Corridor ST Express Line 545 - 16.69 miles I90 Corridor ST Express Line 550 - 8.18 miles All Pierce County-downtown Seattle lines 30.21 miles ST Express Line 577 - 19.75 miles ST Express Line 578 - 22.85 miles ST Express Lines 577 and 578 - 21.47 miles ST Express Line 590 - 26.75 miles ST Express Line 592 - 37.36 miles ST Express Line 594 - 30.23 miles ST Express Line 595 - 37.07 miles ST Express Lines 590 and 594 - 28.56 miles 3. What is the average transit trip length of the entire system? ST Express average trip length for the entire system is 14.60 miles. 4. If the project includes a park and ride, how many new stalls are being provided? N/A 5. Are there other amenities included to encourage new transit ridership? If so, please describe. The new buses would feature comfortable cloth upholstered seats with other rider amenities such as cup holders, foot rests, luggage racks, space for wheelchairs and 3 bicycles. 6. What is the expected increase in transit ridership from the project? Expected increase in transit ridership from the project is estimated to be between 1,400 – 2,800 new riders. Details are below: • Each new HCT bus will have 56 seats • ST Operations and Service Planning estimates that with this grant and the purchase of these buses to support the 15,000 ST Express platforms hours, approx 25-50 new weekday trips would be added to the system. • 25 new weekday trips x 56 seats = 1,400 new riders 50 new weekday trips x 56 seats = 2,800 new riders • 1,400 new riders x 255 days per year of operation = 357,000 trips reduced annually 2,800 new riders x 255 days per year of operation = 714,000 trips reduced annually

• Average trip length on the ST Express routes in this application is 18.14 miles.

• 357,000 trips reduced annually x average trip length of 18.14 miles = 6,602,960 reduced vehicle miles traveled annually

• 714,000 trips reduced annually x average trip length of 18.14 miles = 13,205,920 reduced vehicle miles traveled annually

In sum, ST estimates that approximately 357,000-714,000 vehicle trips and 6,602,960- 13,205,920 vehicle miles traveled could be reduced annually as a result of this project. 7. If a new or expanded ferry service, what is the length of the driving route being replaced? N/A 8. Please describe the source of the project data provided above (e.g., Environmental Impact Statement, EPA/DOE data, traffic study, survey, previous projects, etc.). Sound Transit Operations and Service Planning and the 2017 Service Implementation Plan.

PSRC Funding Request

1. What is the PSRC funding source being requested? N/A 2. Has this project received PSRC funds previously? No 3. If yes, please provide the project's PSRC TIP ID N/A

Phase Year Amount other 2018 $7,700,000.00

Total Request: $7,700,000.00

Total Estimated Project Cost and Schedule

Other

Funding Source Secured/Unsecured Amount Local Secured $3,300,000.00 5307 Unsecured $7,700,000.00 $11,000,000.00 Expected year of completion for this phase: 2018

Summary

1. Estimated project completion date Dec 2018 2. Total project cost $11,000,000.00

Funding Documentation

1. Documents Buses_in_ST_2017_TIP.pdf 2. 2. Please describe the secure or reasonably expected funds identified in the 2. 2. Please describe the secure or reasonably expected funds identified in the supporting documentation. For funds that are reasonably expected, an explanation of procedural steps with milestone dates for completion which will be taken to secure the funds for the project or program should also be included. ST local funds are secured and included in Sound Transit's 2017 Adopted TIP. TIP page is attached.

Project Readiness: PE

1. Are you requesting funds for ONLY a planning study or preliminary engineering? No 2. Is preliminary engineering complete? Yes 3. What was the date of completion (month and year)? N/A 4. Have preliminary plans been submitted to WSDOT for approval? N/A 5. Are there any other PE/Design milestones associated with the project? Please identify and provide dates of completion. You may also use this space to explain any dates above. N/A 6. When are preliminary plans expected to be complete and approved by WSDOT (month and year)? N/A

Project Readiness: NEPA

1. What is the current or anticipated level of environmental documentation under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for this project? Categorical Exclusion (CE) 2. Has the NEPA documentation been approved? Yes 3. Please provide the date of NEPA approval, or the anticipated date of completion (month and year). June 2017

Project Readiness: Right of Way

1. Will Right of Way be required for this project? No 2. How many parcels do you need? N/A 3. What is the zoning in the project area? N/A 4. Discuss the extent to which your schedule reflects the possibility of condemnation and the actions needed to pursue this. N/A 5. Does your agency have experience in conducting right of way acquisitions of similar size and complexity? N/A 6. If not, when do you expect a consultant to be selected, under contract, and ready to start (month and year)? N/A 7. In the box below, please identify all relevant right of way milestones, including the current status and estimated completion date of each. N/A

Project Readiness: Construction

1. Are funds being requested for construction? No 2. Do you have an engineer's estimate? N/A 3. Engineers estimate document N/A 4. Identify the environmental permits needed for the project and when they are scheduled to be acquired. N/A 5. Are Plans, Specifications & Estimates (PS&E) approved? N/A 6. Please provide the date of approval, or the date when PS&E is scheduled to be submitted for approval (month and year). N/A 7. When is the project scheduled to go to ad (month and year)? N/A

Other Considerations

1. Describe any additional aspects of your project not requested in the evaluation criteria that could be relevant to the final project recommendation and decision- making process. N/A 2. Describe any innovative components included in your project: these could include design elements, cost saving measures, or other innovations. Sound Transit developed Bus Fleet Fuel Efficiency Strategies and has conducted an ST Express bus “eco-driving” pilot program in 2014. Sound Transit is one of only a few transit agencies in the nation to be recognized by the American Public Transportation Association at the platinum-level for our sustainability program. 3. Describe the process that your agency uses to determine the benefits of projects; this could include formal cost-benefit analysis, practical design, or some other process by which the benefits of projects are determined. A full Benefit-Cost analysis was done on all Sound Transit voter-approved plans. In addition to consistency with regional plans, Sound Transit is required to show how ST2 and ST3 meet the requirements of a state law about transit-oriented development and to submit a Benefit- Cost Analysis report. The PSRC’s Transportation Policy Board and Executive Board approved the conformity findings. Sound Transit projects are driven by voter approved commitments. The ST2 Plan was developed through an open public process over a four-year period. During that period, Sound Transit coordinated closely with cities and counties and conducted substantial public outreach. The ST 3 Plan was developed through an open public process over a three-year period. During that time, Sound Transit coordinated closely with cities and counties, the state of Washington, the PSRC and local transit agencies. In addition, Sound Transit received tens of thousands of public comments that helped shape the plan. The Sound Transit Citizen Oversight Panel is an independent 15-member panel of citizen volunteers appointed by Sound Transit's Board to monitor and report on Sound Transit performance in delivering on the commitments made in Sound Move, ST2 and ST3.

4. Final documents Appendix_Maps_Support_Doc_to_Bus_App.pdf APPENDIX – Maps and Supporting Documentation Sound Transit FTA Competitive Application – Purchase 11 New HCT Buses

SOUND TRANSIT CURRENT SERVICE

510 512 Link Light Rail Everett Downtown Everett Everett Red Line 510 512 532 (Univ. of Washington – SeaTac/Airport) 513 513 Tacoma Link Mukilteo Evergreen Eastmont (Tacoma Dome–Theater District) Way South Everett Sounder Commuter Rail 510 511 512 Everett–Seattle Sounder 512 532 532 Lakewood–Seattle Sounder Ash Way 535 ST Express Regional Bus Alderwood Mall

Bold = Route terminus Lynnwood 511 532 535 510 Everett–Seattle Express Edmonds 512 535 Canyon Park 511 Ash Way–Seattle Express 511 Mountlake 512 Everett/Lynnwood–Seattle Express 512 522 513 Terrace Kenmore Bothell 513 Everett–Seattle Express Woodinville Lake Forest Park 522 Woodinville–Seattle Express 522 522 522 Shoreline 535 532 Everett–Bellevue Express 145th Lake City 512 532 Brickyard 522 535 Lynnwood–Bellevue Express 555 535 540 Kirkland–University District Express 556 Northgate 532 Totem Lake 541 Overlake–University District Express 535 542 542 Redmond–University District Express 541 Kirkland Redmond Green Lake 542 Bear Creek 556 540 541 566 545 Redmond–Seattle Express 512 542 545 586 542 567 540 545 550 Bellevue–Seattle Express NE 45th 540 556 South 545 541 586 Evergreen Overlake Transit Center/NE 40th 554 Issaquah–Seattle Express University of Washington 542 Kirkland Point Overlake 555 Issaquah–Northgate Express Sammamish Montlake 541 554 556 Issaquah–University District–Northgate Capitol Hill 540 545 510 545 590 540 545 541 555 560 Bellevue–Sea-Tac Airport–West Seattle 511 550 592 Seattle 541 555 542 556 532 556 512 554 594 Westlake 542 556 535 560 Bellevue Transit Center 566 Auburn–Renton–Overlake Express 513 577 595 University Street 550 566 522 578 550 I-90/ 550 555 567 Bellevue 567 Kent–Overlake Express Pioneer Square 554 Rainier 554 International District/Chinatown 574 Lakewood–Sea-Tac Airport Express South Bellevue 554 South Sammamish & King Street Stadium Mercer 577 Federal Way–Seattle Express Island 550 555 Eastgate 578 Puyallup–Federal Way–Seattle Express SODO Mount 556 554 554 555 556 555 Beacon Baker 556 Issaquah Highlands 580 Lakewood–Puyallup Express Hill Columbia City 560 Newport Issaquah 586 Tacoma–University District Express 566 Downtown Issaquah Hills 554 590 Tacoma–Seattle Express Othello 555 554 Westwood 556 592 DuPont–Lakewood–Seattle Express Village 560 Kennydale Rainier Beach 594 Lakewood–Tacoma–Seattle Express 560 566 595 Gig Harbor–Seattle Express Tukwila/ International 560 Renton Landing 596 Bonney Lake–Sumner Express Blvd 566 560 Renton 560 Burien Tukwila 566 Park & Ride Ferry Terminal SeaTac/Airport Bus Fare Zone Sea-Tac Airport 560 Boundary 574 Amtrak Angle Lake Limited Service

Kent/DesMoines 574 566 Kent 567

Star Lake 574

Federal Way 566 Auburn Park & Ride 574 Auburn 577 566 578 Service to Gig Harbor 578 and Purdy is funded Tacoma by Pierce Transit Theater District /S 9th Pierce Transit route to Lakeland Hills 595 590 Commerce St /S 11th Narrows 594 Convention Center /S 15th Tacoma 595 Union Station /S 19th Lakeland Hills Community S 25th College Tacoma Dome 574 590 578 586 594 578 Sumner South Tacoma 580 596 Puyallup 580 Lakewood 574 Fairgrounds Red Lot Towne Center SR-512 580 596

Lakewood 574 592 South Hill Bonney Lake 580 580 594 592 594

592

DuPont Service to Lacey and Olympia is funded by Intercity Transit October 2016 ST Express Service Area - Snohomish County Subarea 1 of 5

Legend

Subject subarea boundary

Regional Growth Center ¨¦§5 Manufacturing Industrial Center

! ! ! ! County line «¬529 Areas Outside ST District «¬204 EVERETT 512 «¬2 2 Miles ´ 532

Map date: 3/15/2017 510

Sources: Sound Transit GIS, King County, WSDOT, PSRC. This map is accompanied by no warranties and is simply a graphic representation.

PAINE FIELD / BOEING EVERETT

526 «¬ 513 «¬525

532

510

512 «¬527

«¬96

S N O H O M I S H C O U N T Y

511

532

510 LYNNWOOD

512 «¬524 «¬99 «¬9

¨¦§405 BOTHELL CANYON PARK

¨¦§5 532 «¬522

104 «¬ 511 K I N G

527 C O U N T Y 510 «¬ 522

G:\REQUESTS\FIT\Grants\HCT\Maps\HCT-Study_REXroutes_Subareas_17March.mxd ST Express Service Area - North King County Subarea 2 of 5

S N O H O M I S H 511 BOTHELL CANYON PARK 535 «¬99 C O U N T Y «¬527 «¬104 ¨¦§405 Legend 510

Subject subarea boundary 522 522

Regional Growth Center

Manufacturing Industrial Center

! ! ! ! County line 532 Areas Outside ST District

KIRKLAND TOTEM LAKE 2 SEATTLE NORTHGATE Miles ´ 556

Map date: 3/15/2017 510 522 Sources: Sound Transit GIS, 555 King County, WSDOT, PSRC. This map is accompanied by no warranties and is simply a graphic representation. SEATTLE UNIVERSITY 540 COMMUNITY «¬305 542

BALLARD-INTERBAY 540 ¨¦§405 ¨¦§5 «¬520 556 542

BELLEVUE «¬99 532 535 554 522 K I N G 550 C O U N T Y 560 510 555 ¨¦§90 550 556

554

DUWAMISH

578

566 ¨¦§5

560 NORTH TUKWILA

560 «¬509 RENTON

599 «¬99 «¬

578 566 SEATAC 567 BURIEN 560 ¨¦§405 «¬518 TUKWILA «¬167 G:\REQUESTS\FIT\Grants\HCT\Maps\HCT-Study_REXroutes_Subareas_17March.mxd ST Express Service Area - East King County Subarea 3 of 5 532 LYNNWOOD «¬524 535 BOTHELL CANYON PARK «¬9 «¬99 «¬522 «¬203 S N O H O M I S H 527 Legend «¬ C O U N T Y «¬104 ¨¦§405 510 Subject subarea boundary

Regional Growth Center 522 522

Manufacturing Industrial Center

! ! ! ! County line ¨¦§5 532 Areas Outside ST District

KIRKLAND 510 TOTEM LAKE SEATTLE 2 NORTHGATE Miles ´ 555

Map date: 3/15/2017 405 522 ¨¦§ Sources: Sound Transit GIS, REDMOND King County, WSDOT, PSRC. DOWNTOWN This map is accompanied by no warranties SEATTLE UNIVERSITY and is simply a graphic representation. COMMUNITY

545 554 586 542 «¬202 «¬520 REDMOND-OVERLAKE 545 542 BALLARD-INTERBAY «¬99 BELLEVUE 545 532 K I N G

510 C O U N T Y 555 DUWAMISH 522 §90 550 ¨¦§5 ¨¦

578 554

586 566

560 554 555 ISSAQUAH ¨¦§90

560 NORTH TUKWILA

«¬599 RENTON «¬509 560

578 567 BURIEN 405 «¬518 ¨¦§ 566 586 574 TUKWILA 560 «¬167 ¨¦§5 KENT MIC

SEATAC

99 «¬ «¬18 578 567 586 566

G:\REQUESTS\FIT\Grants\HCT\Maps\HCT-Study_REXroutes_Subareas_17March.mxd ST Express Service Area - South King County Subarea 4 of 5

586 560 554

578 566

DUWAMISH Legend 567

Subject subarea boundary

Regional Growth Center

Manufacturing Industrial Center 560 NORTH TUKWILA 586 ! ! ! ! County line RENTON 599 Areas Outside ST District «¬ 590 «¬509 560 «¬99 ¨¦§5 578 2 566 Miles ´ BURIEN 567 TUKWILA 405 Map date: 3/15/2017 «¬518 ¨¦§ Sources: Sound Transit GIS, King County, WSDOT, PSRC. 592 This map is accompanied by no warranties and is simply a graphic representation. 560 K I N G SEATAC C O U N T Y 574 586

590 KENT MIC

578 566

567

KENT

574

566

578

FEDERAL WAY «¬167 «¬99 AUBURN P I E R C E «¬18 C O U N T Y 574

586

¨¦§5 590 TACOMA PORT OF 578 DOWNTOWN TACOMA

«¬16 590

595 586 «¬167 574 TACOMA MALL 592 SUMNER 574 PACIFIC

G:\REQUESTS\FIT\Grants\HCT\Maps\HCT-Study_REXroutes_Subareas_17March.mxd ST Express Service Area - Pierce County Subarea 5 of 5 PUGET SOUND INDUSTRIAL RENTON CENTER- BREMERTON 560 592 «¬518 405 «¬3 BURIEN 560 ¨¦§ «¬509 578 TUKWILA Legend 574 SEATAC KENT Subject subarea boundary MIC 566 Regional Growth Center 595 «¬16 K I N G ¨¦§5 Manufacturing Industrial Center 595 C O U N T Y 578 KENT ! ! ! ! County line 574 Areas Outside ST District 566

2 «¬99 FEDERAL ¬167 Miles ´ WAY « 578 AUBURN Map date: 3/15/2017 595 «¬18 Sources: Sound Transit GIS, King County, WSDOT, PSRC. This map is accompanied by no warranties and is simply a graphic representation. TACOMA PORT OF DOWNTOWN TACOMA 574

595 592 UNIVERSITY 595 PLACE ¨¦§5 574 SUMNER TACOMA PACIFIC MALL 592 PUYALLUP DOWNTOWN «¬167 578 596 «¬512

LAKEWOOD 574 «¬410 580 580 PUYALLUP SOUTH HILL «¬162 «¬99 P I E R C E 592 C O U N T Y

592

5 ¨¦§ FREDERICKSON

592

G:\REQUESTS\FIT\Grants\HCT\Maps\HCT-Study_REXroutes_Subareas_17March.mxd Table 1. Regional Centers Served by the HCT Buses

11 HCT Buses Supporting Centers Population Employment Households Major Employers CENTER Auburn Medical Center, Auburn Outlet Collection Auburn 1,410 3,372 317 Seattle Mall, Auburn School District Bellevue Comm College, Bellevue School District, Bellevue 9,268 48,135 6,218 Boeing, City of Bellevue, Expedia Snohomish County Government, City of Everett Government, Everett 6,645 9,891 1,539 Providence Regional Medical Center, Naval Station Everett, Kimberly Clark Wild Waves Theme Park, United States Postal Federal Way 101 3,715 553 Service, City of Federal Way Joint Base Lewis McChord Military base, Lakewood 2,775 6,156 1,422 Clover Park School District, St Clare Hospital Alderwood Mall, City of Lynnwood 2,480 13,222 1,827 Lynnwood Western Washington Fair

Puyallup Downtown 1,250 2,529 (Puyallup Fair), Good 466 Samaritan Hospital Microsoft, Redmond Town Redmond Downtown 5,691 10,733 961 Center Retail Microsoft, Terex Washington & USA, Redmond-Overlake 935 25,589 961 Eurest Dining Services Aerotek Inc Amazon, Starbucks, Nordstrom Inc, Expeditors International of Seattle Downtown 32,783 163,932 17,650 Washington, Emeritus Corp, City of Seattle, King County Government Seattle University University of WA, 26,984 37,442 6,272 Community University Medical Center Multicare Health System, Mary Bridge Hospital, Tacoma Downtown 13,661 34,494 5,609 Franciscan Health System, City of Tacoma, UW Tacoma Campus Subtotal 103,981 359,210 43,795

Sumner-Pacific (MIC) 3,478 11,447 1,405 TOTAL 107,459 370,657 45,200 Source: PSRC Centers data and Pop/Employment Data, Household Data from ST GIS

Morning commuters wait for the 577 bus in Federal Way, where officials say crowded buses often make commuters late. They don’t look too happy.

System Expansion REGIONAL EXPRESS 700720 ST Express Fleet Expansion Managed by: Operations

Scope: Procure and accept 38 buses to support the increase in peak hour bus service with an additional 32,000 hours of annualized peak hours in 2016 and an additional 15,000 hours of peak service hours to meet service level demands as a result of East Link construction, route congestion, ridership demands and appropriate bus spare ratio in 2017.

Changes in project budget since 2016: Increased by $13.6 million for additional 11 buses in support of an additional 15,000 bus service hours.

Board Approved Capital Budget (in thousands of YOE dollars) ST2 Total Project Cost Estimate (in thousands of 2016 dollars)

Phase Gate Passed: None Baseline: $0 2008 Cost Estimate: $41,790 2016 TIP: $26,185 2016 Cost Estimate: $46,045 2017 TIP: $39,757 2017 Cost Estimate: $59,016

TIP Cashflow (in thousands)

Subarea Life to Date 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Future Total Snohomish 612 1,706 2,651 0 0 0 0 0 4,970 South King 534 1,488 2,312 0 0 0 0 0 4,333 East King 3,545 9,882 15,357 0 0 0 0 0 28,784 Pierce 206 573 891 0 0 0 0 0 1,670 Total 4,897 13,649 21,211 0 0 0 0 0 39,757

Phase Life to Date 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Future Total 70-Vehicles 4,897 13,649 21,211 0 0 0 0 0 39,757 Total 4,897 13,649 21,211 0 0 0 0 0 39,757

Budget Risk Assessment Schedule Risk Assessment

Estimate Type: Scoping Schedule Risk Level: Low Budget Risk Level: Low 2016 Budget Schedule: 2018 2017 Budget Schedule: 2018

Project Risk Assessment

Some uncertainty exists with the composition of the fleet with bus type, size and fuel as well as our transit partners ability to base and maintain our buses as we approach base capacities.

46 of 122 Proposed 2017 Transit Improvement Plan