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NOTE: This version updates quotes and description of the base.
 SUMMARY
Executive Dow Constantine joined regional partners to celebrate the start of construction at the Tukwila base that will support King County Metro’s growing zero-emission fleet.
STORY
King County Executive Dow Constantine and representatives from the City of Tukwila, the Federal Transit Administration, and Seattle City Light broke ground on Metro’s first 100% electric bus base that will support 120 next-generation buses scheduled to arrive in the next two years.
“The future of transit is electric, and today we’re building Metro’s infrastructure to deliver the bus network of tomorrow,” said Executive Constantine. “A new 100% electric base for 120 new zero-emission buses will help us combat carbon emissions, push back against our changing climate, and support this new fleet for decades to come.”
“Metro is leading a sustainability transformation and today’s event celebrates a vital milestone,” said Metro General Manager Michelle Allison. “As we transition to a zero-emission fleet, the new Interim Base in Tukwila will be the blueprint to construct future bases and will be a hub of innovation. New zero-emission vehicles and our world-class technicians and other transit professionals will soon be here. The Interim Base will keep them charged up!”
The new 544,000-square-foot base will include maintenance facilities and charging infrastructure for the next-generation battery-electric buses that are scheduled to begin service in 2026. It will be located south of the Tukwila test charging facility that is used to charge the 40 long-range battery-electric buses that have been in service since 2022.
 Construction of the $115 million base will be directed by McKinstry Construction and will feature several sustainability efforts to reduce energy consumption and reuse materials. This project will use drought-resistant native species to minimize the need for irrigation and reduce the heat island effect by replacing dark asphalt with lighter-colored concrete. Together, these and other project features achieve Platinum status on the County’s Sustainable Infrastructure Scorecard as required by the Green Building Ordinance.
Building on years of partnership with Seattle City Light, Interim Base will use 6-10 megawatts of electric energy to charge Metro’s and King County’s zero-emission bus fleet. Interim Base will also be home to zero-emission non-revenue vehicles, including EV sedans and an electric yard cart, all powered by new charging infrastructure being installed at the adjacent parking garage. Additionally, Metro is investing in software technology to support charge management and efficient operations at the site.
The buses that will operate out of this base will be focused on serving the communities of south King County that have disproportionately borne the brunt of the pollution generated by fossil fuels.
As Metro prepares for a zero-emission future, Interim Base is intended as a prototype for future battery‐electric bus deployment and base electrification throughout the county. As an innovation hub, continuous improvement and lessons learned at Interim Base will inform the future work of Metro and other transit agencies around the world.
RELEVANT LINKS
QUOTES
“The future of transit is electric, and today we’re building Metro’s infrastructure to deliver the bus network of tomorrow,” said Executive Constantine. “A new 100% electric base for 120 new zero-emission buses will help us combat carbon emissions, push back against our changing climate, and support this new fleet for decades to come.”
–Dow Constantine, King County Executive
“Metro is leading a sustainability transformation and today’s event celebrates a vital milestone,” said Metro General Manager Michelle Allison. “As we transition to a zero-emission fleet, the new Interim Base in Tukwila will be the blueprint to construct future bases and will be a hub of innovation. New zero-emission vehicles and our world-class technicians and other transit professionals will soon be here. The Interim Base will keep them charged up!”
–Michelle Allison, General Manager, King County Metro
“I’m thrilled to celebrate this next step in the protection of both the environment and the health of the people who live and work in the communities neighboring our bus bases throughout King County. The battery-electric buses at this base will be helping to reduce greenhouse gases with every start—supporting our climate goals and improving community resilience. This location, and the buses that will use it, will be the model for the transformation Metro is making to become a zero-emission fleet.”
–Teresa Mosqueda, King County Councilmember and Board of Health Chair
“Cleaner, faster, safer rides for everyone in King County is a goal the Federal Transit Administration is proud to support,” said “FTA has funded more than 4,000 clean, American-made buses across our nation in the past two years, thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Laws. As someone who walks and bikes throughout King County, I am so happy that we will all have cleaner air, and less auto congestion on streets and roads throughout the region.”
–Susan Fletcher, Federal Transit Administration Administrator for Region 10
“Today marks another milestone achievement for our region’s transportation electrification and decarbonization. We look forward to continuing our partnership with King County Metro as we work together to create the energy future for the communities we serve.”
–Dawn Lindell, Interim General Manager & CEO Seattle City Light
“Tukwila is excited for the investment that King County is bringing to the City. Electric buses mean better air quality for all King County residents, specifically those that live near the Metro bus facility in Tukwila.
–Tom McLeod, Tukwila Mayor
“King County is setting an example for major transit authorities that want to eliminate carbon emissions while increasing operational resiliency. McKinstry has worked alongside King County Metro to test and optimize charging infrastructure to ensure their zero-carbon commitment is achievable without compromising the invaluable service they provide to our communities. We are excited to break ground on the new base as it moves not only King County a step closer to decarbonization, but all transit authorities nationwide.”
–Ash Awad, President & CMO, McKinstry
“Let's ride together towards a future where our community thrives on clean energy, where every bus ride takes us closer to a sustainable world.”
–Heena Vahora, Metro Mobility Equity Cabinet Co-Chair and University of Washington Student
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Al Sanders, King County Metro, 206-348-7829
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