Your Priorities from Phase 1

Close to 450 people took the survey and shared their vision for Everett Transit

Community feedback collected in 2023 showed strong support for:

• More frequent buses
• Expanded service hours
• Improved connections, including to regional transit
• Safety, cleanliness, and modern technology

This input guided the updated service proposals in this plan. Learn more in the sections ahead!

Our Financial Reality

How we’re funding transit today—and what we need to grow

Everett Transit currently operates on a local transit sales tax rate of 0.6%, which has remained unchanged since 2004. This provides just enough funding to sustain our existing level of service—but not enough to expand or modernize it as Everett grows. While temporary COVID-19 relief funds helped us avoid major service cuts and supported our operations in recent years, those one-time resources are now winding down.
 
Another new source of support is Washington State’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA), which provides funding to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support clean transportation. While helpful, CCA funding is not a substitute for stable, ongoing revenue like local sales tax.

Looking Back: 2018 Plan Recommendations

In our last adopted Long Range Plan (2018), Everett Transit identified a structural financial gap and recommended pursuing a local sales tax increase to 0.9%, the maximum allowable under state law. This was essential to support a “Growth Scenario” that called for more frequent buses, earlier and later service, and improved connections to the future link light rail and regional bus services. That recommendation remains true today.

In this 2045 plan update, we continue to assume a future increase of the transit sales tax rate from 0.6% to 0.9% in 2030. This would require both:

• Approval by the Everett City Council, and
• A public vote of Everett residents

Why It Matters

To deliver the frequent, reliable, and sustainable service our community has asked for, new local funding is essential. We’re using the assumption of a 0.9% sales tax in our future scenarios—not because it’s guaranteed, but because it’s what’s needed to grow.

This funding assumption is central to our ability to expand service. If the proposed sales tax increase is not approved, our next Long Range Plan update in 2031 will reflect a more limited network—one that aligns with the funding available under the current 0.6% rate.

To put this in perspective, if over the past 22 years Everett Transit would have raised its percentage of sales tax at the same rate as Community Transit, Everett taxpayers would have paid an additional $310M for transit service in Everett.

Everett Transit provides residents with high quality local bus and paratransit service that has met the demand of our growing community so far, but we will not be able to continue to grow without the future support of our community. 

What About Consolidation?

In 2022, Everett and Community Transit formed a committee that explored a possible consolidation of services. That work was paused in 2024 as Community Transit focused on its major service restructure, and the effort has not yet resumed. No decisions have been made, but we’ll continue to keep the public informed if discussions resume.

If Everett were to join Community Transit, the transit sales tax rate in Everett would automatically increase from 0.6% to 1.2%. 

Community Transit’s sales tax authority is capped at 1.2%, while Everett Transit’s legislative limit is 0.9%. That’s why this plan assumes a future increase to 0.9%—the maximum rate currently allowed for Everett Transit under state law.

Learn More:
2018 Long Range Plan
City of Everett Transit Consolidation Study

A Bolder Transit Future

A network that adds frequency, span, and connections

Supporting Future Transit Ridership

The City of Everett’s Transportation Element provides clear guidance: by 2044, the city aims to triple daily transit ridership across all services. This includes not only Everett Transit, but also Community Transit, Sound Transit, and the future Link Light Rail extension.

By 2044, almost 180,000 people are forecast to live in Everett representing an increase of 70,000 compared to today. As Everett grows, so does the need for a transit network that supports more people, more trips, and more mobility options. Strategies include:

• Focus transit investment in areas of highest population and job growth, ensuring service aligns with future land use plans.
• Design routes that support regional integration, including future light rail, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and major multimodal hubs like Everett Station.
• Emphasize frequent, reliable service along key corridors and near new light rail stations, where more people will live, work, and travel.
• Introduce on-demand service options in lower-density neighborhoods, where fixed-route service is less cost-effective but where mobility needs are still high (such as older populations and lower-income households without a vehicle).

Together, these policies aim to grow ridership, reduce reliance on cars, and ensure that Everett’s transit system is a key tool for equity, sustainability, and regional connections. The Growth Network Plan proposes a 25% increase in service hours, with changes to current routes that would:

• Increase frequency and coverage on key corridors (Routes 3, 8, 12, 29)
• Expand access to regional connections (S Everett Freeway Station, McCollum Park & Ride)
• Extend service hours on weekdays and weekends
• Strengthen connections to light rail and the future Bus Rapid Transit network

Under this planned service growth, Everett Transit is forecast to serve up to four million riders annually by 2045, which is an increase of over three times the number of riders in 2023. Increased travel demand through population and employment growth is one factor in addition to the increase in service proposed in the Growth Network Plan. The service growth will also mean better connections for more people, with the percent of Everett’s households that are near 30-minute or better service increasing by almost 30 percent by 2045 compared to today.

Explore Route Changes: Compare 2023 and 2045 route maps

Give Feedback on the Network

Flexible Options for Neighborhoods

Connecting more people to transit

 On-demand service zones are a new way to get you to and from major transit hubs without needing a fixed bus route. Riders can request a trip in real-time or schedule it in advance, and a vehicle will take them to or from a designated transit center.

This service model is especially valuable in parts of Everett where fixed-route service is no longer feasible. In some areas—like the Valley View neighborhood—routes were removed due to low ridership and limited accessibility along narrow residential streets. In others, such as Mukilteo Boulevard, service was disrupted by construction (including the Edgewater Bridge replacement), and ridership patterns have since shifted toward more efficient alternatives. These changes allow us to use resources where they can benefit more riders.

Instead of bringing back low-performing fixed routes in these areas, we’re proposing on-demand service zones that offer more flexibility for riders and are more cost-effective for the agency. 

The two proposed zones are forecasted to provide approximately 5,000 trips a year and would add approximately 3,500 hours of service. This new type of service is currently implemented successfully in the Puget Sound region and offers more flexibility for customers than if those hours would be allocated to fixed-route service. 

We want to know: Would this type of service work for your neighborhood?

The 2045 Proposed Growth Network map shows the two proposed zones in yellow:

Going Above and Beyond for Accessibility

Everett Transit provides paratransit service that exceeds federal ADA requirements—and we want your input on its future

Everett Transit is proud to provide Paratransit service that goes well beyond the minimum standards required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Our service reflects a deep commitment to accessibility, independence, and simplicity for riders who depend on us most.

What We Provide Today

Under the ADA, transit agencies are only required to provide paratransit service:

• For ADA-eligible customers
• Within ¾ of a mile of a fixed-route bus stop
• During the same hours the bus route operates

But Everett Transit does more:

• Eligibility: We provide service to both ADA-eligible riders and seniors age 65+, regardless of disability status.
• Service Area: We provide paratransit throughout the entire Everett service area, not just near fixed bus routes.
• Service Hours: Our paratransit service matches the earliest start and latest end times of our system-wide fixed-route network—not just individual route schedules. This adds almost 40 percent to the areas that can be served by paratransit earlier and later in the day.  

This expanded model makes our system simpler, more equitable, and easier to use. It reflects our belief that mobility should be a right—not a calculation.

While we do not plan to change our current policies at this time, we’re beginning to ask:

How should we prioritize paratransit service in the future?
As Everett grows and transit needs evolve, we may face decisions about:

• Who is eligible for paratransit service
• How widely and frequently we can provide it

We want to know what matters most to you:

• Should we continue serving a broader group of riders, even if it limits future growth?
• Or should we consider refining eligibility to maintain long-term sustainability?

A Cleaner, Smarter Fleet

Planning for electric and hybrid buses—and emergencies

Updating Everett Transit’s fleet plan is identified as an action item in the City’s Transportation Element, supporting broader goals for sustainability, reliability, and climate resilience. The plan ensures that the transit system can adapt to future energy needs, maintain service during emergencies, and align with citywide carbon reduction targets.

Everett Transit was an early leader in electric bus deployment, with its first fully electric bus arriving in 2018. However, due to manufacturer challenges and resiliency concerns, our updated plan now includes a 50/50 electric-hybrid fleet. We're also working to:

• Ensure charging capacity during emergencies
• Coordinate with the City for joint response plans
• Evaluate new technology like battery storage and fuel cells

In 2024, we had a Battery Electric Buses (BEB) Operational Resiliency Plan. Its key findings included:

Focused Goal

• Increase Everett Transit’s ability to maintain operations during power outages, extreme weather, or infrastructure failures.
• Builds on lessons from manufacturer issues (e.g., Proterra bankruptcy) and BEB charger malfunctions.

 Infrastructure and Charging Strategy

• Proposes a shift from 100% BEB to 50% BEB / 50% hybrid-electric mix for operational resilience.
• Recommends deploying microgrids and battery energy storage systems (BESS) to reduce outage risk.
• Urges investment in charging management systems (CMS) with onsite controls (not just internet-based).

Key Resiliency Measures

• Calls for a dedicated Electrification Project Lead.
• Coordination with City of Everett Emergency Management and Public Works for joint response planning.

At-a-glance: Our Current Fleet Transition Plan vs. the New Operational Resiliency Plan

Everett Transit remains committed to a 100% zero-emission future, but we’re adjusting our approach to reflect current technology, infrastructure readiness, and operational resilience needs. Our updated fleet plan now targets a 50% battery electric / 50% hybrid-electric mix in the next twenty years.

This balanced strategy allows us to:

• Continue reducing emissions and fuel costs
• Maintain service reliability during power outages or emergencies
• Give time for charging infrastructure and energy systems to catch up with fleet needs

We’re also monitoring the potential for hydrogen fuel cell buses as a future alternative—especially in scenarios where long range and energy resilience are critical.

This revised plan ensures Everett Transit can grow sustainably while continuing to serve our riders without disruption.

Learn More:
Greenhouse Emission Savings

Future Projects, Your Priorities

We want your input on what’s next

We’re aligning this plan with the City’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). This updated list is in the Transportation Element of the City’s updated comprehensive plan and for transit, it includes ongoing maintenance and upgrades, as well as one-time bigger capital needs. The costs are estimated over a period of twenty years, and in our six-year Transit Development Plan, we would set money aside and plan for projects in those categories. 
 
We asked for input on:

• What’s most important?
• Where do you see the biggest needs?

A Renewed Focus on Safety

Keeping riders safe and comfortable is at the core of Everett Transit’s mission

Safety is a top priority at Everett Transit—and we’re doubling down on that commitment as part of our Long Range Plan update. Our goal is to ensure every customer, employee, and member of the community feels safe while using and interacting with our transit system.

Everett Transit maintains a federally compliant Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) that outlines our proactive approach to safety. This plan includes:

• Regular inspections and vehicle maintenance
• Operator training and development programs
• Clear procedures for incident response and reporting
• Risk assessments and mitigation strategies
• Ongoing coordination with Everett Emergency Management and Police

We are expanding our safety initiatives to include:

• Greater presence of security personnel and partnerships with first responders
• Upgrades to lighting, shelters, and signage at high-traffic stops
• Improvements in real-time customer communication tools
• A continued focus on employee training, hazard reporting, and customer feedback

Learn More: 
Everett Transit Safety Plan Highlights

What Works for You

What tools are important?

We have a variety of ways we distribute information and we’d like to know which of these you use, what you would prioritize in the future, and how we can improve our overall communications. 

• Real-time arrival tools (Everett Transit Arrivals – text and calls; Google Maps and OneBusAway – real-time stop information)
• Trip planning apps (GoogleMaps; partner agency trip planning applications)
• Schedule timetables at bus stops (we currently print and maintain timetables at a third of our stops)
• Schedule books (we are one of the few agencies that still prints a schedule book for our customers)
• We have our schedule book and individual route pages available online
• Customer service phone line: available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• In-person sales and customer information at Everett Station: open Monday – Friday, 7:30 – 6:30 p.m.
• We have a notification system for customer alerts available on our website (when you subscribe, you can receive text or email alerts for route or service disruptions or other alerts)
• We recently installed digital information displays at Everett Station to show departure information for all transit agencies service the station. 
• New ways to report bus stop and shelter concerns – Everett at Work
• We use our website, Facebook and Instagram to update our customers on news and service information
• We have three pages on the City’s open data portal that provide ridership information by route, bus stop utilization and greenhouse emissions savings. 

Your feedback will help us decide where to invest next.

Learn More:
Open Data Portal