Backers Hope Transit Plan Won’t Be Sidetracked Again

Last year a $6.7 billion rail-and-bus transit plan for King, Pierce and Snohomish counties never got out of the station.

Now, with the fare cut to $3.9 billion, backers hope that turnout as high as 75 percent will give their side more oomph than the 47 percent yes vote that the more extensive and expensive plan drew from about third of the eligible voters in a special election in May 1995.

Already the support group Regional Express has generated a lot more endorsements and contributions, exceeding $800,000, compared with less than $600,000 in the previous vote.

“This time the turnout is going to be dominated by younger people who do not vote very often in offyear elections,” said Wally Toner, a Regional Express adviser. “These people are much more in favor of public transportation and have much more at stake in the future.”

He said the measure should succeed if the Seattle vote runs at least 62 percent in favor, as it did last year, and the tally outside the city is at least 47 percent yes. At least 50 percent overall is required for passage.

Opponents organized as Citizens Opposed to Sitting in Traffic are expecting if anything an even bigger percentage to vote no Nov. 5. They figure to spend about $250,000, compared with about $210,000 last year.

“Voters are cranky that they have to vote on this again,” said Brett Bader, a consultant to the opposition group.

Opponents have disputed claims that the plan would ease traffic congestion and cut commuting times in the largest metropolitan area on the West Coast north of San Francisco.

Slightly more than half the money during construction would come from a sales tax increase of four-tenths of a penny on the dollar and a boost of three-tenths of 1 percent in the motor vehicle excise tax.

That’s roughly $104 for an average family of four with $35,000 in annual income and $168 for a family drawing $75,000 a year.

More than $1 billion would be financed through municipal bonds, $155 million would come from passenger fares, and federal grants totaling $727 million would be sought.

Nearly two-thirds of the cost would go for rail links - $669 million for commuter service over existing tracks in the approximately 65-mile corridor between Everett and Lakewood, south of Tacoma, and $1.8 billion for construction of electric light rail lines between SeaTac and the University District of Seattle, and between the Tacoma Dome and downtown Tacoma.

Another $377 million would go for construction of exclusive bus and carpool freeway ramps, $361 million for single-ticket regional express bus service, $280 million for new technology and administrative expenses, $255 million for transit centers and park-and-ride lots, and $171 million for debt payment during construction.

Everett, Renton and the Chambers of Commerce in both municipalities are supporting the proposal after opposing the earlier measure. The Bellevue chamber has switched from opposition to neutrality and Kirkland from neutrality to support.

The measure is opposed by about 10 organizations, including business groups in Bellevue and Issaquah, Citizens Lobby Opposed to Unfair Taxes, Washington Highway Users Federation and Washington Trucking Association.