Metro Flex: On-demand transit services no even better, united under one name
Dear Neighbor,
On March 6, King County Metro united their suite of on-demand transit options under one roof, now known as Metro Flex neighborhood transit service. As one new service, Metro Flex replaces three others: Community Ride, Ride Pingo to Transit and Via to Transit.
Since 2019, King County Metro’s on-demand services have provided safe, reliable connections for people and places that aren’t near frequent bus or rail service. Metro customers use these popular services for getting to appointments, school, stores, and work, as well as for transferring to bus and light rail. These services were inspired by the community asking for better connections across neighborhoods and the region.
With Metro Flex, riders can download and use the new Metro Flex app to book rides in Juanita, Kent, Othello, Rainier Beach, Renton Highlands, Sammamish, Skyway and Tukwila.
To learn more about Metro Flex and to see if it would be a good option for your next trip, visit the Metro Matters blog.
Nonprofit Wage & Benefits Survey has launched!
The 2023 King County Nonprofit Wage & Benefits and Employee Engagement surveys are underway, and we are calling on nonprofits in the region—specifically an Executive Director, Human Resources staff, or a Finance Manager—who has access to staff compensation information to take part in the survey. Technical assistance offered by King County is available to anyone who needs support completing the survey.
Complete Nonprofit Wage & Benefits Survey here: https://bit.ly/WageSurvey2023
Part 1 of this survey is open starting today, February 15 through May 15, 2023.
King County Department of Community and Human Services is committed to addressing inequities in the human services network. Nonprofit workers are not paid enough to live in the communities they serve, or make their career path sustainable. This mismatch is a problem we must address head on. Often people leave for higher wages or access to benefits, leaving nonprofits with continual challenges around recruitment and retention.
In 2021, more than 230 nonprofits that are based in and serving King County, employing more than 20,000 people responded to the King County Nonprofit Wage & Benefits Survey. We are looking to expand those numbers this year, and moving forward. It is important that organizations of all sizes and types participate in the survey for the resulting information to be as robust and reliable as possible.
Organizations funded by the VSHSL and any of their nonprofit subcontractors funded by the VSHSL, are required to complete the Wage & Benefits survey and the upcoming Employee Engagement survey.
Join the Transit Advisory Commission!
This week, Metro has launched a recruitment effort for the King County Transit Advisory Commission. Those who are interested in applying can learn more/apply at www.kingcounty.gov/TAC. Applications due by April 8. We are recruiting for all Council districts.
More information can be found on the Metro Matters blog.
The role of the King County Transit Advisory Commission (TAC) is to advise Metro’s staff members and General Manager, the King County Executive and Council, local jurisdictions, and related transportation boards concerning transit policy issues, projects, and programs. The TAC is a volunteer commission made of community members representing each of the nine King County Council districts. Each member is appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council by motion. Membership includes transit riders, family members of transit riders, and/or potential transit riders.
Member time commitment and required activities:
- Attend 2-hour monthly meetings held on the third Tuesday, 6– 8p.m.
- Attend subcommittee meetings as needed
- Attend yearly retreat (time and date for 2023 TBD)
- Communicate via email and/or phone with TAC liaisons
- The TAC meetings are held virtually via Zoom until further notice. Once it is safe to do so, we will return to in-person meetings held in King Street Center, Seattle.
Individuals selected to serve on a King County board or commission will also be required to complete a King County Ethics Program Financial Disclosure Form within two weeks of being nominated to serve on a King County board or commission.
Help King County Develop Strategies That Reduce Food Waste!
What do you do when good food goes bad? Or when those dinner scraps aren’t suitable for the stock pot? King County Solid Waste Division wants your feedback about proposed strategies to keep more food and yard waste out of the garbage.
The survey will help the county better understand how residents in different parts of the county manage waste, and help inform future policies to reduce food waste going to the landfill, protect the environment, and meet the needs of our communities.
Take the anonymous online survey through April 30.
The survey work is part of Re+, King County’s new initiative to reinvent the region’s waste system to reduce waste and transition to a sustainable economy. Some of the best opportunities for improvement are in food waste.
As always, I value your thoughts, ideas, and input. Please feel welcome to contact me via email at Dave.Upthegrove@kingcounty.gov.
You can watch Council meetings via livestream on the Council's website or on KCTV channel 22. We take general public comment on the 4th Tuesday of every month.
To learn more about testifying before Council go to: https://www.kingcounty.gov/council/committees/full_council.aspx
Sincerely,
Dave Upthegrove
King County Councilmember
District 5
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