Emerging Mobility Needs included the COVID-19 pandemic and the West Seattle Bridge closure. Funding for Emerging Mobility Needs means we can support people in getting around using transit during unexpected events.
How has STM funding helped address Emerging Mobility Needs?
- West Seattle High Bridge Closure: When the West Seattle Bridge was closed from 2020-2022, we invested STM funding into providing additional transit trips on West Seattle routes. This funding also supported incentives for people using King County Metro’s Transit GO Rewards (TGR) platform. The Transit GO Rewards platform encouraged people traveling to and from West Seattle to walk, roll, bike, or take transit – rather than drive.
- Spokane St Swing Bridge Closure: In 2023, we invested STM funding into the Transit GO Rewards platform to encourage residents to walk, roll, bike, or take transit – rather than drive - during the Spokane St Swing Bridge (low bridge) closure near West Seattle.
- COVID-19 Ridership Recovery: After the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we invested STM funding into our Flip Your Trip Center City Campaign in 2023, which encouraged alternatives to solo driving for frequent city travelers without commuter benefits. Over 13,000 trips were shifted to transit or sustainable options.
- Transit Ambassadors: We invested STM funding in a new partnership with King County Metro's Transit Ambassador Program. Transit Ambassadors support customer service and wayfinding, and have a presence on buses and near major transit stops. We contributed funds in 2024 to support Transit Ambassador presence around three transit hubs. We also added two new locations for Transit Ambassador presence in 2025: the University District, and Rainier Valley between Columbia City and Othello.