Sound Transit & Light Rail

Sound Transit station siting, light rail expansion timelines, transit-oriented development, interlocal agreements

Meeting history

1. July 21, 2026
   City Council98%

   The council debated and adopted Amendment D of Bill 121‑226, allocating roughly $1.4 billion over ten years to expand transit service and add reporting on fair‑box recovery ratio and reliability. The amendment passed 5–4, and the final bill was approved unanimously (9‑0). Supporters cited climate goals, worker equity and the need for more service hours, while opponents raised concerns about selective enforcement and policing practices. Following passage, the Transit Department will prepare additional service hours as requested by Councilmember Hollingsworth and SDOT will study routes near public schools to address overcrowding.

2. July 16, 2026
   Select Committee on Seattle Transportation Benefit District Meeting — July 16, 202697%

   The committee adopted amendments that increased the minimum transit‑service revenue share to 75% (Amendment 29) and mandated explicit night‑time bus service for teens (Amendment 30). SPEAKER_01 championed transit expansion and accessibility, while Saka opposed the 75% cap in Amendment 10. All amendments and the bill itself passed unanimously (9‑0). The committee will forward CB 121226 to full council for a July 21 vote.

3. July 6, 2026
   Select Committee on Seattle Transportation Benefit District Meeting — July 6, 202698%

   The committee debated and approved several amendments to Council Bill 121226 that directly affect Sound Transit operations, including the expansion of the Transit Access Program (TAP) and increased funding for regional‑center connections. Key positions included support from council members Rob Saka, Rink, and Strauss for broader TAP coverage and a 75% allocation of levy revenue to transit hours, while opponents raised concerns about fiscal flexibility and potential duplication of services. All six amendments (26, 28, 8, 10, 20, 24) passed unanimously (7‑0), and staff will prepare reports on TAP expansion pathways and Sound Transit III project funding. The next steps involve SDOT and King County Metro submitting the requested TAP report, central staff following up on funding details, and the council preparing for a final vote on July 16.

4. June 29, 2026
   Council Briefing Meeting — June 29, 202692%

   Council discussed Sound Transit funding and light‑rail expansion, noting that the Sound Transit board had approved design funding for West Seattle and Ballard projects and that a pilot transit program at Golden Gardens was being reopened. Staff were directed to coordinate with Seattle City Light and the SPD on infrastructure hardening for the West Seattle Bridge, and a select committee meeting was scheduled to review related amendments. No formal votes were taken on these items, and the next steps involve staff submitting supplemental budget amendments by July 24 and a full council review in August.

5. June 24, 2026
   Housing, Arts and Civil Rights Committee Meeting — June 24, 202692%

   During the committee meeting, Council Bill 121236 was reviewed and recommended for adoption. The bill authorizes a 99‑year ground lease at the Mount Baker light rail site to develop 241 affordable units and an early‑learning campus, thereby supporting transit‑oriented development around a Sound Transit station. The committee moved the recommendation unanimously (3‑0) and will forward it to the City Council for full adoption on June 30, 2026.