Seattle Transit Measure (STM) 2023 Annual Report
Seattle Transit Measure (STM) performance reports are released each year, covering the previous calendar year (January to December 2023).
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:
If the project budget was a dollar, 57 cents would be for transit service, 17 cents capital projects and spot improvements, 12 cents streetcar operations, 10 cents transportation access programs, 3 cents for emerging needs, and 2 cents for planning and analysis.
2023 Performance Highlights
141,000+ Hours of Service
Hours of Metro bus service funded by STM in 2023.
3,000+ Weekly Bus Trips
STM funds additional trips on 69% of Seattle-based Metro bus routes.
44,000+ New Users
New Transit Go Rewards users added in 2023.
35 Capital Projects
35 capital projects supported by STM funds in 2023 (including 10 spot improvements)
65% Investments in High Equity Routes
Percent of 2023 investments in high equity priority routes.
1 Million+ Rides
Rides under the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) Transit Pass Program.
155,000+ Rides
Rides under the ORCA Promise Scholars Program.
615,000+ Rides
Rides under the Recovery Card Program.
2023 Investment Updates
Increased Service in 2023
In spring 2023, STM added 261 weekly bus trips, providing an extra 14,200 service hours each year. This increase made buses more frequent on routes like 3, 4, 28, 36, 40, 50, 70, 73, and various RapidRide lines. Most new trips were scheduled for weekends and weekday evenings to accommodate rising transit use post-COVID-19. In the fall of 2023, STM investments were reduced ~7,600 annual hours.
By December 2023, STM supported over 3,000 weekly bus trips, totaling 141,000+ service hours annually. These trips accounted for 6.5% of Seattle's Metro bus routes, with over 80% running outside traditional rush hours.
STM's focus was on improving service on previously underserved routes, aiming to meet Frequent Transit Network (FTN) goals. Key routes included RapidRide E Line, H Line, and Route 7.
Investment Considerations
- Changing Transit Demand: Metro and SDOT noticed that fewer people are commuting during rush hours. Instead, more are using transit during midday, evenings, and weekends for activities like school, shopping, and leisure.
- Equity Priority Areas: SDOT’s STM transit service funding decisions are guided by an equity-centered methodology that is grounded in SDOT’s core values and focused on meeting the needs of communities of color and those of all incomes, abilities, and ages.
- Operational Challenges: Despite recovering ridership, Metro faced workforce challenges that affected service reliability. This issue is common across transit agencies, as noted by the American Public Transportation Association.
The TAP program works to bridge transportation gaps for low or no-income residents, seniors and youth. In 2023, the TAP initiative ran several programs to improve public transit access.
These included:
- Subsidized ORCA Card Programs
- Community Engagement Programs
- Research Programs
- Solid Ground Downtown Circulator Service
The STM ordinance provides for funding of up to $10M each year to support these efforts.
Addressing Sales Tax Impact
Sales tax can hit low-income households and communities of color hard.
TAP helps by:
- Teaching vulnerable residents, like low-income workers, seniors, and youth, how to use public transit.
- Offering subsidized transit passes through programs like the SHA Transit Pass Program.
- Working with community groups to understand and meet local needs.
Evaluating Program Impact
TAP tests new ideas with pilot programs, gathers feedback, and makes improvements. For example, a pilot with the Seattle Housing Authority showed that subsidized ORCA cards helped residents travel more easily. Because of this success, eligibility expanded to all 10,000 SHA residents in 2023.
Research for Better Service
TAP uses research to enhance its programs. By studying how free transit affects low-income job seekers, they learn about benefits like improved job stability. These insights help shape future TAP initiatives.
Seattle is actively improving its transit system with increased funding and a focus on safety, reliability, and accessibility. The STM program's funding for capital projects has increased from $3 million to over $15 million per year. This boost allows us to enhance transit lanes and make important improvements across the city.
Key Focus Areas
Transit Corridors
We are designing safer, more efficient, and better-performing transit routes.
Ongoing projects receiving STM-funding, include:
- NE 130th & NE 125th Mobility and Safety
- N 130th St – Bitter Lake to Haller Lake Improvements
- Route 48 Transit Plus Multimodal Corridor
- Rainier Ave S Bus Lane Project
Safe Access to Transit
Improving paths to transit stops for pedestrians and cyclists.
Enhancements include better crosswalks, sidewalks, signals, and lighting.
Projects underway:
- Judkins Park Station Access
- 15th Ave/Ballard Bridge Pedestrian Access
- NE 41st Safety Enhancement
Transit Operations and Reliability
We are paving bus lanes and giving priority signals to improve transit flow.
Notable improvements:
- RapidRide H Paving on Delridge Way SW
- Enhancements on 3rd Ave for pedestrian and bike access
Transit Spot Improvements
- Small-scale projects like new bus shelters and boarding pads.
- Recently completed projects include 7 shelter pads and 3 Streetcar safety improvements.
Project Selection Guidelines
Considerations:
- Aligning with voter priorities and closing funding gaps.
- Evaluating equity impacts and focusing on priority areas.
Future Goals:
- Continue funding bus lanes and transit improvements.
- Use STM funds to start projects and secure additional federal or state grants.
- Support projects in the Seattle Transportation Plan.
Important Considerations:
- Transit Advisory Board (TAB) Guidance – Focusing on improving travel time, safety, and wayfinding for transit users.
- Bridge Proviso – A 2023 Council budget action, the proviso required that $12M in STM capital funds be spent on bridge or structures related transit improvements. During the 2025 budget process, the bridge proviso on STM funds was lifted.
The Emerging Needs category responds to emergencies and helps fund innovative partnerships and pilot projects. In 2023, STM helped fund transit programs to encourage people to use public transportation instead of driving and respond to a bridge closure.
Spokane St Swing Bridge Closure
- When the Spokane St Swing Bridge in West Seattle closed in January and September 2023, SDOT used a tool called TGR to provide travel alternatives.
- This resulted in about 8,300 trips taken using the TGR offer during the closure period.
Flip Your Trip Center City Campaign
- From April to June 2023, STM funds supported this campaign, which aimed to reduce solo driving into the city center.
- Over 13,000 trips were switched to transit and other sustainable options.
Rebuilding Transit Ridership Post-COVID-19
- Metro led efforts to rebuild bus, light rail, streetcar, water taxi, and ferry ridership using TGR, which integrated these transit options with bike and scooter sharing.
- In 2023, TGR users engaged in 1,056,000 actions on the platform, like signing up, taking surveys, joining campaigns, and using transit.
- Points earned from these actions funded 332,000 transit trips, with 81% of points used for bus rides on Metro's fixed routes.
These initiatives have made public transit more appealing, helping to lower the number of cars on the road while supporting sustainable travel options.
Financial Information and Oversight
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 from $29.5 million in 2022 to $49.2 million in 2023, an increase of over 60%.
STM plans to increase spending in later years to use all collected funds by 2027.
Future Plans
- By 2026, SDOT will lose a $5 million annual credit from federal COVID-19 transit aid, which will lead to higher service spending.
- STM funds help pay for Metro Flex and Trailhead Direct, which connects people to trails near Seattle.
- STM also supports the Seattle Streetcar by covering revenue shortfalls.
Looking Toward 2027
- STM funds will be collected until early 2027.
- Programs will continue into 2027, with budgeting depending on a possible replacement measure.
- Strategic reserves will help gradually reduce services if a new measure is not passed.
- Despite challenges from the pandemic, SDOT is confident in fully using STM funds to improve Seattle's transit system.
Challenges and Requirements
- The pandemic has affected workforce and vehicle availability for transit agencies like King County Metro.
- 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.
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is dedicated to creating a transportation system that works for everyone. Equity is the central focus of our work. Our Transportation Equity Framework (TEF) includes 57 plans and 220 specific actions to achieve our equity goals.
TEF tactic 49.1, calls on SDOT to acknowledge the burden increases in sales tax places on lower-income communities and households.
Understanding Sales Tax Impact
Sales taxes can be challenging for low and middle-income families. According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), sales tax takes a larger portion of income from these families compared to wealthier ones. In Washington State, the poorest 20% pay a tax rate two to seven times higher than the richest 20%.
Our Responsibility
SDOT believes it is our duty to ensure that the benefits of transit improvements reach those most affected by these taxes. Our goal is to support the people who are most impacted by the current tax system. We do this through our Transportation Access Programs and by focusing our investments on equity.
Collaborating for Better Solutions
In 2023, we worked with the Student Consulting Lab at the University of Washington to analyze how new taxes affect low-income groups. The goal is to use this information to make better funding decisions in the future. You can find the full report here.
Seattle City Council
The Seattle City Council is in charge 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.
Transit Advisory Board
Voters approved a transit measure in November 2014 that led to the creation of the Transit Advisory Board (TAB) in early 2015. This board watches over how the city handles transit services, ensuring accountability. Its roles include:
- Advising the City Council, Mayor, and city departments on transit-related issues.
- Commenting on city policies and projects that impact public transit.
- Overseeing money collected from the transit measure.
- Reviewing reports on King County Metro's transit service.
In 2023, the board gave feedback on Seattle’s draft transportation plan and discussed its priorities with city council members for the transit budget. 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.