The Metropolitan King County Council unanimously passed a motion June 22 calling on Metro Transit, which is facing a $168 million shortfall over the next two years, to report on efforts to leverage Transit Division resources through partnerships and entrepreneurial activities.

“When the Girl Scouts need extra money, they sell cookies. Looking at a $168 million budget hole, what kind of clever revenue-generating activities can Metro come up with to fill the budget gap and protect bus service?” said Council member Larry Phillips, sponsor of the motion. “It’s time to think outside the box and explore innovative ideas for keeping bus service on the streets.”

According to the county, the Transit Division has been successful in leveraging resources through initiatives, such as the Transit Now service partnerships, employer Flex Pass programs and Adopt-a-Stop programs where volunteers take responsibility for keeping bus shelters clean.

Metro has also benefited from the entrepreneurial efforts of graduate students from the University of Washington who developed the real-time bus arrival Web site “One Bus Away.”

Phillips’ motion calls on Metro to explore potential revenue sources and cost savings that would make reducing service one of the last options Metro would take to balance the budget shortfall. The proposed strategies to examine include:

- Technology partnerships

- Leased use of its passenger facilities by private transportation providers and vendors

- Sponsorships and expanded advertising opportunities

- Increasing maintenance and service partnerships


The motion calls for a report on recent, planned, and potential entrepreneurial activities to be presented to the county council by August 1.