This spring, we introduced our Safety, Security, and Fare Enforcement (SaFE) Reform Initiative, Metro’s plan to reimagine safety and security by reforming, and restructuring our security, and fare enforcement policies and practices.
SaFE was developed during a period of dramatic change in the county named for Martin Luther King Jr. and throughout the country, and stems from the Executive’s prioritization of anti-racism in the 2021-22 King County Budget.
Now you have an opportunity to help us further Metro’s journey in reforming our current safety and fare enforcement policies and practices, bringing us closer to becoming an anti-racist mobility agency.
Starting July 12 through July 25 we are conducting a survey, asking you to help create a safer Metro. We want to hear from the communities we serve and our employees on what is needed to make you feel safe on transit, at bus stops, and at our other transit facilities. The information we gather will help us establish what safety means, develop our community guideline, and create a vision statement that will focus our work in the development and implementation of SaFE.
This process will center Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities that continue to be disproportionately and negatively impacted by these types of policies and practice due to the challenges of systemic racism.
You can go to kingcounty.gov/metro/safereform to learn more about SaFE Reform and take the survey. The survey is available in: English, Amharic, Arabic (modern standard), Chinese (traditional), Dari, French, Korean, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
Part of this work is also about transparency and accountability. Metro is committed to providing status updates throughout the life of our SaFE reform initiative to ensure our communities are aware of all opportunities to provide feedback. We will report back on what we’ve learned. Additionally, we are entering this process with an open heart and mind and are committed to learning and being part of the discussion.
Your input will play an important role in helping form the blueprint to make sure that all voices are heard as we make our mobility system safer and more equitable.
In appreciation of community,
Terry White
Terry White is the General Manager of King County Metro
Filled out the survey, but as surveys go, it was way way way to long and cumbersome and repetitious. In general, surveys tend to be somewhat slanted as well. What people want to say can generally be expressed in a pargraph or two.
I agree with Mark on benches and maintenance. Plus…That you took the busses off of First Avenue, you have not provided thought to the many seniors who depended on those First Ave pickups and dropoffs. Many Seniors cannot climb the hills, we cannot walk down a steep slope, and I am afraid this city is dismissing this age group who pay taxes on First Avenue. We need to get to Pike Mkt, we need to get to Occidental for London Plane for food. Please put transportation back on First Avenue so we can also get to Belltown and back on Alaskan Way. We were all graciously awaiting the installation and link of the street car, and I think you have made us wait too long.
We pay your taxes and are not receiving in return…Joy Smith
I almost always fill out surveys for Metro, but this one I’m skipping. Too many “how do you feel” questions that are hard to answer on a form.
We need to lose the masks already. Most people don’t comply & as a person who got vaccinated it’s making me feel like I’m being singled out. Your African American drivers need to stop allowing passengers on of the same race without masks & not paying. They have threatened me & have allowed me to get assaulted & I’m a disabled passenger too. I need to feel safe getting around as it’s my only transportation too. Make the drivers accountable for thier actions. Allot if them can’t even drive properly & are on drugs while on the job. I’ve seen several doing drug deals in Kent, Renton & at Southcenter Mall. Start taking complaints seriously. The reverse racist attitude is getting way old already. 😡🤬
Love to have a bench at the stop on bus route 156 at the corner S 170th street and 51st Street South.
Love to be able to catch the bus, but sometimes the bus don’t come or is delayed and have to stand for a good while.
Thank you.
More Benches to allow people to sit down. More regular cleaning at bus stops on Aurora Ave.. Clean the interior of the Bus more often. I feel unsafe from germs and viruses in a Bus that is dirtry. Put a dispenser for rubber gloves on the bus.