Seattle Transit Measure (STM) 2024 Annual Report
Seattle Transit Measure (STM) performance reports are released each year, covering the previous calendar year (January to December 2024).
About the Performance Report
Here is how every dollar of sales tax revenue generated from the Seattle Transit Measure is invested in a typical year (2021-2024):
If the project budget was a dollar, 56 cents would be for bus transit service, 17 cents capital projects and spot improvements,9 cents streetcar operations and maintenance, 11cents transportation access programs, 5 cents for emerging needs and ST3 program support, and 2 cents for planning and analysis.
2024 Performance Highlights
143,000+ Hours of Service
Hours of Metro bus service funded by STM in 2024.
3,000+ Weekly Bus Trips
STM funds additional trips on Seattle-based Metro bus routes.
120,000 Hours of Service invested in off-peak times
Almost 85% of STM service investments support midday, weekend, and evening/night service, supporting frequent transit all day, every day. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, ridership growth during these off-peak times have outpaced ridership growth during morning and afternoon peak on weekdays.
40 Capital Projects/Locations
40 capital projects supported by STM funds in 2024 (including 13 transit spot improvements)
1.7 Million+ Rides
Rides taken in 2024 by participants in TAP Transit Pass Programs focused on youth, low-income residents, and aging adults
200,000+ Rides
Rides taken by ORCA Promise Scholars Program participants.
140 engagements
STM-funded Metro Transit Ambassadors supported riders with directions or other needs
2024 Investment Updates
STM revenue is used to add bus trips in Seattle in addition to what King County Metro provides. This offers an immediate and direct benefit to all Seattleites, especially those who rely on transit the most.
2024 STM service investments
In the fall of 2024, the new RapidRide G Line and Sound Transit Link light rail extension to Lynnwood opened. SDOT worked with Metro to adapt and improve the surrounding bus network by investing in:
- Route 60: On weekends, buses now come every 15-minutes instead of every 30-minutes. On weekdays, buses now come every 12-minutes during the day and every 20-minutes in the evening. These frequency increases boost service from South Park, Georgetown, and First Hill to Link light rail and the G Line.
- Route 107: Weekday service increased from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes, improving connections between Rainier Beach, Georgetown, and Link light rail.
- Route 125: New Sunday service every 30 minutes where it didn’t exist before, connecting Westwood Village, South Seattle Community College, and Downtown.
- Routes 345 & 365: More frequent weekend service, improving connections between Aurora Village, Haller Lake, and North Seattle Community College to Link light rail.
- Route 28: Weekday mid-day service improved from every 60 minutes to every 30 minutes, enhancing connections between Crown Hill, Ballard, Fremont, and Downtown.
- Routes 4, 11, 21, 49, and H Line: Increased service frequencies.
Other Transit Investments Funded by STM:
- Delridge/South Park Metro Flex Pilot: Launched in July 2024, this on-demand shuttle service addresses barriers to mobility such as hills, incomplete sidewalks, and limited east-west transit service. Funded entirely by STM, the pilot focuses on improving transportation in Equity Priority Areas. This is a two-year pilot.
- Trailhead Direct: STM covered 50% of the cost for this seasonal service, which connects Seattle to hiking spots along the I-90 corridor, helping more people experience the natural beauty of our region while reducing traffic and emissions for travel to our most popular trails.
- Seattle Streetcar: STM invested $10.2 million in 2024 to support operations and maintenance of the South Lake Union and First Hill Streetcar lines. This funding supported ridership growth of 6% in 2024, reaching nearly 1.5 million riders as well as an increased security presence, especially along S Jackson Street.
The STM TAP program bridges transportation gaps for low and no-income residents, seniors and youth. In 2024, SDOT operated several TAP programs to improve public transit access.
These included:
- Subsidized ORCA Card Programs
- Community Transit Education and Engagement Programs
- Research Projects
- Solid Ground Downtown Circulator Service
Evaluating Program Impact: 2024 Seattle Preschool Program Expansion
SDOT tests new ideas for TAP programming with pilots, enabling feedback to be gathered so programmatic improvements can be made for the greatest impact. For example, a pilot with the Seattle Preschool Program (2024) showed that subsidized ORCA cards helped families with preschool-aged children improve class attendance and increased family’s overall mobility. Because of this success, SDOT expanded SPP Transit Pass Program eligibility to all 1,500 SPP families in 2024.
Research for Better Service
SDOT uses research to improve TAP programs and find new ways to enhance transit access for our community. Two key projects are currently underway.
The Uplift Seattle’s Equitable Access to Transit (USEAT) research project, launched in 2023, studies how fully subsidized transit impacts low-income job seekers.
The Safe Access to Transportation research project explores how safety perceptions affect transit access for unhoused individuals. Through partnerships with community organizations like Mary’s Place and YouthCare, SDOT will gather data in 2025 to develop recommendations that improve transit access for our most vulnerable neighbors.
Seattle is actively improving its transit infrastructure with more STM funding dedicated to capital investments focused on improving transit safety, reliability, and accessibility. The STM program's spending authority for capital projects has increased from $3 million to $16.4 million per year per direction from City Council. This increase in allowable transit capital spending means SDOT can further enhance transit lanes and make important improvements across the city.
Key Focus Areas
Transit Corridors
SDOT is designing safer, more efficient, and better-performing transit routes. Projects receiving STM-funding in 2024, include:
- Construction funding for Rainier Ave S Bus Lane Project
- Construction funding for RapidRide J Line
- Planning/Design for NE 130th & NE 125th Mobility and Safety Project
- Planning/Design for N 130th St – Bitter Lake to Haller Lake Mobility Improvements
Safe Access to Transit
Improving paths to transit stops for pedestrians and cyclists. Enhancements include better crosswalks, sidewalks, signals, and lighting. Projects underway:
- Safe Streets for All: STM funding for 24 locations near transit stops to support safe access to transit
- 15th Ave/Ballard Bridge Pedestrian Access Improvements: Safe transit access along 15th Ave NW with new sidewalks, bus markings, bus pads and street lighting near the intersection of Market St and 15th Ave NW
- 14th Ave S And Dallas Ave S Crossing: New pedestrian/bicycle crossing signal supporting access to Route 60 stops
Transit Operations and Reliability
SDOT is paving bus lanes and giving priority signals to improve transit flow. Notable improvements in 2024 include:
- 30th Ave Transit Street: New sidewalk, bus stops, and repaving on 30th Ave NE from NE 125th St to Lake City Way NE to support Metro’s new, east-west running Route 77.
- 4th Ave S – BAT Lane Analysis: In preparation for the SODO busway becoming a Link Light Rail corridor, SDOT and agency partners are analyzing potential transit improvements on 4th Ave S.
Transit Spot Improvements
- Small-scale projects like new bus shelters and boarding pads.
- In 2024, STM funds were focused on bus stop enhancements on Route 125, which connects Downtown Seattle with Westwood Village via South Seattle College. Five spot improvements were delivered and 8 improvements were designed in 2024.
Project Selection Guidelines
Considerations:
- Emphasis on safe transit access: about one-third of the $15.2 million in STM capital expenditures went toward safety-focused projects.
- Aligning with voter priorities and closing funding gaps.
- Transit Advisory Board (TAB) Guidance – Focusing on improving travel time, safety, and wayfinding for transit users.
Future Goals:
- Continue funding transit reliability improvements and safer access to transit.
- Emphasize data-driven, equity-focused decision-making.
The Emerging Needs category responds to emergencies and helps fund innovative partnerships and pilot projects. In 2024, STM funding supported efforts to expand Metro’s Transit Ambassador program, boost Seattle transit ridership, and reduce single-occupancy vehicle use.
Transit Ambassadors
- A 2024 Council budget action allotted up to $1 million of STM funds to support more Transit Ambassadors on King County Metro bus routes and Seattle Streetcar.
- In 2024, Transit Ambassadors were stationed in the Central District, Lower Queen Anne/Seattle Center, and Rainier Valley.
Bike and Scoot to Transit
- SDOT supported the transit portion of trips earned through Metro’s Bike and Scoot to Transit campaign.
The campaign improved integration between the Transit GO and Lime apps, making transit more accessible and reducing car use. - Starting in 2025, SDOT will no longer fund the Transit GO App Rewards Program as Metro transitions the tool to help businesses and organizations incentivize transit use.
Financial Information and Oversight
Financial Summary
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is committed to using Seattle Transit Measure (STM) funds responsibly. STM was approved by voters and provides annual spending details in this report.
Annual Revenue and Spending
- STM is expected to bring in over $50 million each year from 2021 to 2027.
- In 2021 and 2022, STM spent less than planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Spending increased from $49.2 million in 2023 to $61.7 million in 2024, an increase of 25%.
- STM plans to increase spending in later years to use all collected funds by 2027.
Future Plans
- In 2026, SDOT will lose a $5 million annual credit from federal COVID-19 transit aid, which will lead to an increase in the amount spent on bus service.
- STM funds help pay for Metro Flex and Trailhead Direct, which connects people to trails near Seattle.
- STM also supported the Seattle Streetcar operations and maintenance with a $10.2 milllion contribution in 2024.
Looking Toward 2027
- STM revenues will be collected until early 2027.
- Programs will continue into 2027, with budgeting depending on a possible replacement measure.
- With significant momentum and a clear vision, SDOT remains focused on ensuring that STM’s legacy is one of positive and equitable impact for Seattle residents.
Challenges and Requirements
- The pandemic has affected workforce and vehicle availability for transit agencies like King County Metro.
- Early in the measure, SDOT has faced limits on buying services from Metro due to these issues.
- By law, over 50% of STM funds each year must be used for transit services, which affects spending in other areas.
Seattle City Council
The Seattle City Council isthe governing board of the Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD). In June 2016, a city ordinance allowed the council to take over all functions of the STBD. This change made managing and understanding the district’s work easier and more transparent. Now, the council makes decisions about transportation benefits and transit funding as part of the city’s budget.
Seattle Transit Advisory Board
Voters approved a transit measure in November 2014 that led to the creation of the Seattle Transit Advisory Board (TAB) in early 2015. The roles of this board include:
- Advising the City Council, Mayor, and city departments on transit-related issues.
- Commenting on city policies and projects that impact public transit.
- Serving in an advisory capacity regarding how the City invests STM revenues
- Reviewing reports on King County Metro's transit service.
In 2024, TAB members engaged with city staff and elected officials during the development of the 2024 Transportation Levy. They hosted a retreat for new members to discuss future goals and ideas.
The Transit Advisory Board includes five members appointed by the council, six by the mayor, and one youth member from the Get Engaged program.