Ride Free Area - Public Engagement Report

670. I think this is terrible the free ride zone is going away for all those who cannot afford it‌especially in Seattle, having to walk in the rain most months of the year. Laurel Mercury Administrative Specialist Seattle Parks & Recreation 206-684-7055 671. While I appreciate the necessity to end the ride free area in downtown Seattle, I also have concerns about paying for all rides when you get on the bus. I was in in the tunnel when Metro had a test run of paying for the bus when you entered. It was a disaster and a big time delay. While the loading in the morning at the park n ride is orderly and everyone waits their turn, for some reason going home it is a free for all and many of the busses are overcrowded. I would hope there has been some thought given to how to get riders to orderly enter the bus and the time it takes on any given night when there are twice as many riders as there are spaces on the bus. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Sharon Campbell 672. Resending feedback submitted online to ensure it reaches the proper channels: I just received the email announcement noting the end of the Ride Free Area service. I feel it is quite unfortunate that the Ride Free Area will be eliminated. While I do not often get the opportunity to utilize it since I no longer work in downtown, I did have the chance on March 23 & 24. I remember thinking what a valuable asset this service was to the Seattle community -- both for those low-income riders who truly depend on the free service as well as for tourists as a friendly way to easily get around our downtown areas that are not always within easy walking distance (e.g. Pioneer Square to Belltown). I saw one family with two youngsters and elderly grandparents that were able to use the ride-free service to go from Belltown to Westlake -- not a long walking distance for most but certainly not easy for the young and elderly patronizing our town and seeing our many sites in a day. More than my concern for a friendly tourist destination is my concern for the low-income riders that rely on the free service area. I recognize that a plan will be discussed to address their needs; however, the city programs already have a difficult time getting adherence to new implementations or requirements. Even if something "free" is offered that this demographic must sign up for, I feel it will be underutilized and those most needing it will be overlooked and not served. I ask that Metro reconsider eliminating this service that is a true asset to the city. It's understandable that costs rise but surely there are other ways to fund costs. Note, it did not go unnoticed that new electronic talking devices were installed on buses right at the end of the tax/car tab debate. While this implementation may have been planned for some time prior, the execution was quite poor in timing. I supported the car-tab tax but was disappointed when I noticed the timing of this modification. I hope Metro will truly reflect on the community and the services offered that benefit its constituents. Please feel free to contact me should there be any questions or clarification needed about my comments. Regards, Tonia Brown PS. The email announcement's link, unfortunately, did not direct to the proper section of Metro's website but instead went to "How to Ride": Other ways to comment are: Online: www.kingcounty.gov/Metro/howtoride 673. This is a bad compromise made by the County Council. The Ride Free zone supports business and pedestrian travel. At a time when business and tax revenue is in the dumps, the Council has helped cut tax revenues further. People will stop riding the bus, get in their cars, or just not shop-none of which is good for the City or the County. The County gets more than its fair share of unproductive transit routes—and this is the response to save money? I would rescind this provision.