Keiko Budech

Donavan lives in Lakewood and relies on the Puget Sound region’s connected transit system to get around.

“I’m independent and mobile with transit. I can go anywhere without relying on someone.”

Donavan attends brain injury support groups in Bremerton, Puyallup, and Tacoma. Puget Sound’s regional transit network makes this possible.

From Lakewood, Donavan uses Kitsap Transit and the ferries to go to his meetings in Kitsap County, transfers to King County Metro to get to Seattle, and uses Pierce Transit to get to Puyallup or Tacoma.

“I love transit. I’m very comfortable using it. It’s very convenient,” says Donavan. Transit usually gets him around the region on a single transfer and a few dollars, but sometimes he has to wait half an hour to an hour for a connection. “Most of the time it’s convenient, but sometimes it’s delayed. It’s okay because I don’t have any other way to get around and can’t drive.”

Tim Eyman’s I-976 would cut millions of dollars for life-giving services for people with disabilities and seniors, put over a billion dollars for our state ferry system at risk, and cut transit service across our state. I-976 would delay Donavan’s commute or cut important routes and transit services that connect him to critical health services.

“If I-976 impacts transit, it impacts me. I wouldn’t be able to get where I need to go. I rely on transit service to get around.”

Everyone should have the freedom to move and get where they need to go, independently and easily. Vote NO on I-976 to ensure transit access to people who need it most.

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Gina was a proud rider of the #158 bus from Kent to her job at The Lighthouse for the Blind in Seattle. She is blind as well, and says, “Transit brings me the freedom to travel anywhere I need to travel. It brings me independence. I don’t depend on someone to drive me.”

Since retirement, she has had some health problems and is no longer able to access the regular bus service. Instead,  she rides Access Transit, King County Metro’s paratransit program that serves people who are unable to access regular bus service. The goal of the program is to provide the same level of transit service to truly all people.

“I take Access Ttransit everywhere: to church, my doctor’s office, I take it everywhere I go. It’s not perfect, but it gets me there,” Gina said. “If Tim Eyman’s initiative passes, it will totally ruin how I get around. It would have a bad impact on Access Transit, and I need that to get around. I’m not able to walk, I can’t stand for long periods of time. I’m fully reliant on Access Transit.”

If I-976 passes, King County Metro’s Access Transit would lose $12.2 million between the years 2020 and 2025. $240 million are also at risk for transit programs for special needs transportation grants. Thirty transit agencies across the state rely on Formula Grants to keep their accessible  transit programs running. These life-giving services ensure people living with disabilities have access to doctor’s appointments, schools, jobs and connections to family and friends.

I-976 threatens up to a quarter billion dollars over 10 years of this critical funding. Vote NO on I-976 to ensure transit access to people who need it most.

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Tracy grew up in a rural town in upstate New York with no transit options. As a person with low vision, Tracy can’t drive or ride a bike, so she relied on her friends and family to get around.

When Tracy moved to Seattle in 2001, it was the first time she could get around independently. “It was a life-changing point to have so many resources at my fingertips that could get me where I needed to go.”

Tracy moved to the University District because it was close to her graduate program at the University of Washington. After graduating, Tracy decided to stay in the neighborhood, primarily because of its access to transit, and has been there for over 18 years.

“It’s easy to walk and get where I need to go because it’s so connected,” Tracy says of her neighborhood. The University District is home to many bus lines, a light rail station near Husky stadium, and a soon-to-be light rail stop opening near the University Avenue in 2021.

“Transit is incredibly valuable, no matter where you are. Whether you are in a rural town or urban area, having transit choices opens up your life.”

Tim Eyman’s Initiative 976 would eliminate transit lifelines. I-976 would cut millions of dollars of life-giving services across Washington that ensure people living with disabilities are able to get where they need to go. It would also delay and potentially cut Sound Transit light rail expansion and 175,000 hours of bus service in King County.

“My life is built on transit,” says Tracy. “It would be a huge upheaval as transit is a foundational part of my life. Everyone should have transportation options and opportunities, no matter where you live.”

We need more transportation options to connect people to opportunities throughout our state, not less. Reliable and affordable transportation is integral to living a healthy, connected, and productive life. Vote NO on I-976 and help keep people moving.

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