2020 Seattle Transit Measure (STM)
May 2024
What's Happening Now?
Thanks to Seattle voters, the Seattle Transit Measure (STM) is proud to support 2024 Trailhead Direct service providing bus service from Seattle to 8 hiking destinations along the I-90 corridor. STM will fund 50% of the operational costs for routes serving Seattle to the trailheads.
Visit the Trailhead Direct website to learn more.
In 2010, Seattle City Council passed Ordinance 123397, creating the Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD) in the City of Seattle.
STBD is administered and governed as part of the City's regular business. Washington State code allows cities to create transportation benefit districts for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, providing, and funding transportation improvements.
The STBD includes Proposition 1, also referred to as the 2020 Seattle Transit Measure (STM). The STM includes a 0.15% sales tax, the equivalent of 15 cents on a $100 purchase.
The sales tax, approved by voters in November 2020, generates roughly $50 million annually over six years to fund transit service, capital projects, and transit access programs like our Transportation Access Programs. STM supports transit in Seattle holistically by focusing on improved service, safe and equitable access to transit, and capital funding to support transit reliability. A thriving, world-class transit system supports SDOT’s principal goals of equity, safety, sustainability and climate response, and mobility and economic vitality.
STM accomplishments
- A minimum of 50% of STM’s budget is invested toward increasing frequency and improving service on existing Seattle bus routes. In 2024, STM funds 140,000+ hours of transit service or 3,000+ weekly bus trips across Seattle!
- Working closely with the Transit Advisory Board, the STM team created a prioritization methodology that aims to equitably distribute service investments. STM investments in service that moves the city’s transit system closer to the Frequent Transit Network (FTN) - an aspirational vision of frequent service throughout the city all day, every day.
- Our Transportation Access Programs (TAP) provided over 1.8 million rides in 2023 through four transit subsidy programs.
- STM supported the City’s first-ever Youth Transportation Summit in December 2023 with over 60 young people attending and presenting the Youth Climate Justice & Transportation Action Plan to Mayor Harrell.
- STM supported the West Seattle Bridge Flip Your Trip Campaign in 2022 and 2023 which attracted over 11,000 participants and provided over 45,000 transit trips.
- STM’s capital spending has increased since 2022. STM supports transit spot improvements, transit corridor planning, and projects that allow people to get to transit safely.
- More info can be found in STM’s annual reports.
