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Community Transit's Monthly Newsletter November 2020 |
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Coach operator and Navy veteran Greg DeLos Santos, Jr receives his Challenge Coin for Veterans Day.
Recognizing more than 100 Community Transit employees who are veterans
We would like to extend gratitude to the more than 100 Community Transit employees who are veterans representing all five branches of the armed forces-- Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy.
Our veterans serve in various positions throughout the agency. Many drive our buses, transporting essential workers and other riders safely. We also have employees who are veterans that maintain and service our buses, and others who repair, clean, disinfect and fuel them. Others work behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly.
A team of employees organizes every year to recognize our veterans for their service. This year, a Challenge Coin was designed and given to each veteran. Challenge coins have a long-standing tradition in military history. However, civilian groups are now using them to build close-knit, lasting bonds between people who receive them, and to represent unity.
Please join us in honoring and recognizing our veterans who continue to serve and support out community. Read the full story here.
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Marine and Roberts join Community Transit Board of Directors
Mukilteo City Council Member Joe Marine and Stanwood City Council Member Sid Roberts were selected to serve on the Community Transit Board of Directors. In addition, Mountlake Terrace Mayor Kyoko Matsumoto Wright was selected to serve as a new board alternate.
The changes come after two members recently left the transit board. The Community Transit board is comprised of nine elected officials from Snohomish County and the cities within the transit agency’s service district, as well as a labor representative selected by the agency’s bargaining units. City representatives are selected by city population size. Read the full story here.
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Community Transit grants 12 surplus vans to local nonprofit groups
Twelve 15-passenger surplus vans, otherwise earmarked for auction, were awarded last week to 12 local nonprofit organizations who answered a call to enhance their service. The vans were awarded at the Nov. 5 Community Transit Board of Directors virtual meeting through the agency’s Van GO vehicle grant program.
The vehicles, originally part of Community Transit’s vanpool fleet, will be used to improve access to transportation and strengthen connections in local communities. Recipients were chosen through a competitive process based on how they propose to use the vehicles to serve their communities.
Community Transit launched the Van GO program in 2000 and has since awarded 158 vans and wheelchair lift-equipped paratransit vehicles to qualified 501(c)3 organizations throughout Snohomish County. These organizations primarily serve residents of the Community Transit service area. This includes all incorporated cities and towns in Snohomish County, as well as the Tulalip Reservation and portions of unincorporated Snohomish County, with the exception of Everett.
This year’s Van GO recipients include:
- Angel Resource Connection (Snohomish County)
- Edmonds Church of God (Edmonds)
- First Class Association of Washington State (Lynnwood, Marysville, Everett, Bothell)
- Gambian Talents Promotion (Snohomish County)
- Greater Trinity Academy (Unincorporated Snohomish County Everett & Mukilteo)
- Korean Community Service Center (Snohomish County)
- Latino Educational Training Institute (Snohomish County)
- Millennia Ministries (Snohomish County)
- Monroe Gospel Women’s Mission (Monroe)
- North Snohomish County Outreach (North Snohomish County)
- North Sound Church (Edmonds/Lynnwood)
- YMCA of Snohomish County (Snohomish County)
More information about the Van GO program is online www.communitytransit.org/VanGo.
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Community Transit delivers appreciation bags to essential workers
We understand how important essential work is to the communities we serve. Community Transit partnered with two Snohomish County Fred Meyer stores to thank them for all their hard work and service to the community during the pandemic.
On Nov. 2, Community Transit provided 250 appreciation bags to essential workers at the Everett Casino Road Fred Meyer in Everett to show our appreciation. Each contained a cupcake, supplies for commuting safely, an ORCA card, and a special offer to try Vanpool service as a safe, reliable way to get to work. The store managers were grateful for the gesture and were especially appreciative since their employees have been busy non-stop since March.
A second event took place on Nov. 10 at the Bothell Thrashers Corner Fred Meyer where 370 appreciation bags were provided to essential workers. "It was an honor to deliver these Community Transit care packages to employees of Fred Meyer in Everett. I hope the ORCA cards and Vanpool vouchers we provided will help many of their essential workers commute to work safely and reliably for a long time to come," Community Transit and Field Marketing and Business Development Manager, Phillip Jefferies said.
Learn more about our Vanpool offer here.
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Community Transit buses to meet light rail at Northgate in 2021
On November 5, the Community Transit Board of Directors approved a plan to reroute the agency’s University District bus routes (800-series) to Northgate when Link light rail opens there next fall.
The agency conducted two rounds of public outreach, incorporating feedback and ideas from riders to best provide fast, frequent and all-day connections between Snohomish County buses and light rail.
Travel time on Link from Northgate to the U District is expected to take six minutes, and 14 minutes for Northgate to downtown Seattle.
The plan adopted by the board will:
- Route all Community Transit 800-series buses to connect to light rail at the Northgate Station;
- Add more than 30 bus trips to ensure frequent connections and quick transfers;
- Consolidate Route 855 into Route 821 with more trips from north county;
- Redirect Route 810 to bypass the Lynnwood Transit Center due to other connections between Lynnwood and Northgate provided by Sound Transit;
- Achieve 15-minute frequency northbound during the peak evening commute hours on all 800-series routes, to ensure a fast light-rail-to-bus connection, and increase the overall span of operating hours;
- Community Transit’s 400-series routes will continue to provide direct bus service to downtown Seattle.
Expect more information next spring as we plan for this bus-light rail integration. For information about Sound Transit’s Northgate Link project, visit https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/northgate-link-extension.
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Gratitude for those in service to our country and communities
November is the month when we reflect and give thanks for the people in our lives. On behalf of Community Transit, I would like to extend gratitude to all those in our community who have served in the U.S. armed services, including the more than 100 Community Transit employees who are military veterans. Thank you for your bravery and sacrifice. We also thank your family members, for their selfless contributions.
Our country is made up of a wonderful collection of people of diverse backgrounds, experiences and interests. Among the many things we share is a desire to maintain freedom and opportunity, for ourselves, for our loved ones, and for future generations to come.
We are also grateful to organizations and volunteers that serve Snohomish County residents. This month, 12 surplus Community Transit vans, earmarked for auction, were awarded to 12 local nonprofit organizations who answered a call to enhance their service. The vans will be use to improve access to transportation and strengthen connections in our communities.
Collectively, the vans will provide thousands of annual trips to medical appointments, employment opportunities and other services. The vans will also be used to transport and deliver food and other essential supplies. We are very pleased to support the important community work carried out by local nonprofits and volunteers to improve the lives of people in our community.
Veterans, community service organizations, and volunteers—thank you for all you do and for your commitment to serving others and supporting our community.
Emmett
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If you have any questions about what you've read in this newsletter, please email TheRouteAhead@commtrans.org.
Chair Jon Nehring, Mayor of Marysville; Vice Chair Kim Daughtry, Lake Stevens City Council Member; Secretary Joe Marine, Mukilteo City Council Member, Tom Merrill, Snohomish City Council Member; Nate Nehring, Snohomish County Council Member; Lance Norton, Labor Representative; Sid Roberts, Stanwood City Council Member, Jan Schuette, Arlington City Council Member; Nicola Smith, Mayor of Lynnwood; and Stephanie Wright, Snohomish County Council Member.
Board Alternates Mike Gallagher, Brier City Council Member; Laura Johnson, Edmonds City Council; James McNeal, Bothell City Council Member, Jared Mead, Snohomish County Council Member and Kyoko Matsumoto Wright, Mayor of Mountlake Terrace.
© 2020 Community Transit | Agency Communications
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