Snohomish CountyTop story
Everett Transit will fold into Community Transit on April 1, 2027, after two unanimous votes
The deal comes with money, more buses and a higher tax
- $54.5 million
- Community Transit would pay Everett
- 50%
- more transit service in Everett by 2031
- 1.2%
- Everett's transit sales tax, up from 0.6%
- $16 million
- in capital reserves Everett would transfer
Sources: MyEverettNews.com, HeraldNet.com
If you ride the bus in Snohomish County, a big change is coming. The Everett City Council voted unanimously Wednesday after a 3.5-hour meeting, and the Community Transit board voted unanimously Thursday to finish the deal. Everett Transit, a city system since 1969, will cease operations on April 1, 2027, when Community Transit takes over.
- Zip on-demand shuttle zone in Everett: by spring 2028
- Paratransit: current riders keep it; new 65-year-olds must meet ADA rules
- Jobs: Everett Transit staff can move to Community Transit or stay with the city
- Public input on the new network: starts January 2027
Not everyone's sold. There's no public vote because a 2025 state law dropped the ballot requirement. Union president Steve Oss said fares would go from $2 to $3, and Council member Ben Zarlingo said he has "lost more sleep over this issue… than anything else in 5 years on the council." The higher tax works out to 6 cents more on a $10 taxable purchase. Service stays largely as is until 2028.
Everett's bus service changes hands over the next five years
- Nov. 4Everett City Council votes unanimously to approve the interlocal agreement.
- Nov. 5Community Transit board votes unanimously to finalize the merger.
- Jan. 2027The public is invited to help plan an integrated transit network.
- April 2027Community Transit takes over in Everett; the transit sales tax rises to 1.2%.
- Spring '28A Zip on-demand shuttle zone is planned for Everett.
- 2031Transit service in Everett is to be 50% greater.
Sources: MyEverettNews.com, HeraldNet.com, My Edmonds News, KOMO
