King County Metro supports regional approach to safety
March 20 marked the inaugural meeting of the King County Regional Transit Safety Task Force. While Metro continues to take proactive steps to support our employees and riders, a regional approach will tackle the broader challenges that can negatively affect transit.
Metro is partnering with Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 587, which called for the task force. Participants include advocacy and community groups; behavioral health and alternative response teams; government officials at the city, county and federal level; labor unions; law enforcement; public health and safety representatives; and transit agencies.
The Regional Transit Safety Task Force will align the many stakeholders; provide a collaborative forum; determine data-supported interventions in the short-, medium- and long-term; coordinate on budget and policy; and ensure accountability.
King County and Metro are advancing safety on and near transit, which includes the following efforts:
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Protecting bus operators by committing to implement improve safety partitions across both new and existing buses
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Expanding our safety presence by hiring more transit security officers and Metro transit police officers
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Adding resources to additional locations to support Night Owl bus operations by expanding transit security officer deployments
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Improving the door-to-door experience at bus stops and transit centers through enhanced cleaning, accessibility, facility updates and lighting
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Making expectations clear through updated “Code of Conduct” signs and resuming fare enforcement
Even one security incident is too many, and our goal will always be zero. Making transit safer is the most important way to care for our riders, employees and communities. Learn more about King County's and Metro's safety improvements.
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