Everett council approves transit merger with Community Transit

The Everett City Council voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve a consolidation between Everett Transit and Community Transit. The decision ends the city's 57-year operation of a municipal transit system that began in 1969.

Community Transit will vote on the interlocal agreement this Thursday afternoon. If approved, the Snohomish County agency will take over operations within Everett city limits on April 1, 2027.

The merger includes a doubling of the public transit sales tax in the city. The rate will rise from 0.6% to 1.2% on the same date that Community Transit begins service.

Under the agreement, Community Transit plans to increase bus service within Everett by 50% by 2031. A new Zip microtransit zone will be introduced in the city by 2028.

Paratransit services will continue, but eligibility rules will change. Current riders over 65 will keep their access. However, residents who turn 65 after the merger takes effect will need to qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Currently, Everett Transit serves riders over 65 even if they do not meet standard ADA requirements.

Employees of Everett Transit identified for transfer will become Community Transit workers on April 1. Unionized staff in Local 883 of the Amalgamated Transit Union will keep their current pay and benefits under their existing collective bargaining agreement. They will negotiate a new contract with Local 1576, which represents Community Transit workers.

Officials said the handling of seniority and other position changes will be resolved through the collective bargaining process, including arbitration if necessary.

Mayor Cassie Franklin supported the measure during the meeting. She stated that the vote aims to dramatically increase public transportation, reduce transfer wait times, and lower congestion. Brock Howell, head of the Snohomish County Transportation Coalition, said the agencies completed their due diligence to establish a strong interlocal agreement.

Opponents argued that the tax increase is a burden on residents and that the current service is already adequate. Steve Oss, president of Local 883, expressed concern about seniority. He told the council that seniority is everything for union members and that they currently have nothing to show for their years of service.

Shanine Chapman, a resident, criticized the process because a 2025 state law allows transit benefit areas to annex city agencies via interlocal agreement without a public vote. She told the council that citizens' votes have been taken away and that legal authority does not always mean the action should be taken.

City and transit officials announced in April that they would move forward with the merger after the new state law was passed. They released the interlocal agreement in September. Community Transit will pay Everett approximately $54 million for transit property and assets. Everett will transfer about $16 million in transit reserves to the county agency.