Transit agencies take a big hit in COVID crisis

SEATTLE — Local transit agencies are taking a big financial hit in the COVID-19 pandemic.

King County projected Tuesday that sales tax revenue for transit alone will drop $397 million between now and 2022, including a $185 million loss projected for 2020.

Officials said King County Metro is receiving $243 million from the federal CARES Act, but that money is designated for operations, not to replace lost tax revenue.

King County Metro buses are still running for essential trips, with about 100,000 riders each weekday. That means ridership is down about 75% from last year.

The agency has been scaling back service, and the number of bus trips is down 27%.

In Snohomish County, Community Transit reports a 70% drop in ridership.

The agency gets 72% of its operating revenue from sales taxes and another 11% from fares.

Like the other transit agencies, Community Transit suspended fare collection to allow for physical distancing.

Community Transit also received $39.17 million from the CARES Act.

In Pierce County, bus ridership on Pierce Transit is down 68%.

As sales tax money dries up, Pierce Transit says it may lose a quarter of the revenue it anticipated this year.

Washington State Ferries reports an overall ridership drop of 65%.

Sound Transit’s ridership is down 86%, and the agency warns a recession will threaten close to 90% of its funding sources.

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