Funded by the Seattle Transportation Levy and Seattle Transit Measure
Blog stats: 1,300 words | 7-minute read
Summary
- Thanks to the voter-approved Seattle Transportation Levy (Levy) and Seattle Transit Measure (STM), we are investing more than $5 million in 2025 in transit safety and security citywide in partnership with King County Metro.
- With Levy funding, we’ve invested in 8 new Transit Security Officers in 2025. Security Officers are visiting several blocks of a street where multiple bus routes run and ride buses in downtown Seattle. They help passengers as needed on buses and provide a safety presence.
- The Seattle Transit Measure is investing in more SaFE Ambassadors on and around King County Metro bus routes. These ambassadors help guide transit riders across Seattle.
- King County Executive Shannon Braddock recently announced $26.1 million in transit safety and security investments in Metro’s proposed 2025 supplemental budget, which will fund more Transit Police and Transit Security Officers, and operator safety partitions for Metro buses.
- Over the next 8 years, we’ll invest $9 million in Levy funding to improve transit rider safety. The Levy also invests in connecting people to light rail stations and bus stops while reducing bus delays.
Thanks to the voter-approved Seattle Transportation Levy (Levy) and Seattle Transit Measure, we are investing more than $5 million in 2025 in transit safety and security citywide.
This funding supports additional Transit Security Officers and SaFE Ambassadors, continuing several investments from 2024. $2 million of this funding was championed by City Councilmembers Rob Saka and Dan Strauss in the 2025 City budget process.
Seattle Transportation Levy (Levy) Investments
On November 5, 2024 Seattle voters approved the Seattle Transportation Levy. The eight-year $1.55 billion Transportation Levy will provide funding to maintain and modernize the city’s transportation infrastructure including building sidewalks, paving streets, repairing bridges, and improving transit connections.
In 2025, the Levy is funding eight Transit Security Officers (TSOs) – four in transit zones in downtown Seattle and four riding buses on select routes. Emphasis is being placed on the busy routes on 3rd Ave and Jackson St, as well as evening through early morning hours. TSOs deter safety incidents, monitor what is happening on the bus, and assist customers and operators with questions and safety concerns. However, they are not police officers and are not authorized to make arrests.
Since these new, levy-funded TSOs started work, they’ve made an impact. In their first 48 hours of work, they boarded almost 300 buses. They have provided customer service; distributed supplies like emergency blankets, hand warmers, water, socks, and hygiene kits; and connected our neighbors experiencing housing and food instability with appropriate resources.
Over the life of the eight-year Levy, we will invest $9 million in strategies that increase transit rider safety and security. This is a portion of the $151 million that the Seattle Transportation Levy will invest into connecting people safely to transit hubs, including Link light rail stations and bus stops, and reducing delays on bus routes.
Seattle Transit Measure (STM) Investments
Seattle Transit Measure (STM) is a 6-year, voter-approved measure funded by a 0.15% sales tax. The STM generates over $50 million annually until early 2027 to fund local bus and streetcar service to make public transportation better, more reliable, and more accessible for everyone in our city.
The STM is supporting more SaFE Ambassadors on King County Metro bus routes. SaFE Ambassadors provide information and assistance to transit riders across Seattle and South King County.
In 2025, we’re funding more SaFE Ambassadors in the Rainier Valley and the University District. Since starting on March 31, these ambassadors have interacted with more than 400 customers on buses and at bus stops, most often providing directions to nearby destinations or bus routes, as well as providing presence and fares information.
We’ve also made more safety investments on the Seattle Streetcar. The STM funds TSOs and Metro Transit Police on the Streetcar. These TSOs work on the Streetcar providing security and fare enforcement for 8 hours a day, an increase from 2024. As of April 1, Metro Transit Police began serving as the Seattle Streetcar’s primary law enforcement agency, creating a consistent rider experience across transit services in Seattle. Metro Transit Police also help holistically support riders through referrals to community-based organizations for housing, behavioral health, and recovery services.
These investments are part of broader work by King County to strengthen transit safety and security.
King County Executive Shannon Braddock’s proposed 2025 supplemental budget includes $26.1 million in safety and security investments for King County Metro to fund more Transit Police and Transit Security Officers. In addition, the budget funds larger and stronger operator safety partitions for all Metro buses. Read more on King County Metro’s blog.
These investments also complement other STM programs to support transit safety and access, so riding the bus can be a comfortable option to travel.
We know that feeling safe on transit is important to people when they are making the choice about how to get around. We also know some of our neighbors feel safer than others traveling on transit. We are conducting the Safe Access to Transportation research project so we can learn more about how perceptions of safety impact transit access for people experiencing homelessness and housing instability. We are partnering with Mary’s Place, YouthCare, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Compass Housing Alliance, The Doorway Project, and the Downtown Emergency Service Center on this project.
This year, we will collect and analyze data to better understand what affects feelings of safety on transit among housing insecure communities. This will inform future safety-related programs.
This work is also supported by our Vision Zero program. Learn more about the ways we are supporting people in accessing transit more confidently and comfortably on the our Transportation Access Programs webpage.
What people are saying
“Safe and reliable public transit is essential to achieving our One Seattle vision for everyone to be able to travel freely and confidently across our city. Transit connects people to essential services, jobs, fun, and each other, but that is only possible if riders and operators are safe. Through collaborative partnerships with King County Metro and investments supported by Seattle voters, we’re enhancing safety and security on our buses and transit routes, energizing our downtown core, and revitalizing public spaces. These investments are key to fostering vibrant, connected communities and ensuring public spaces are welcoming and accessible for all.” – Mayor Bruce Harrell
“Since 2023, King County Metro has dramatically increased our ridership, adding more than 10 million passengers. This supplemental budget will fund more Metro Transit Police and Transit Security Officers to deliver a safe and welcoming environment, which all our customers and employees deserve. In partnership with the City of Seattle, we are also bolstering the successful Metro SaFE Ambassadors program to add more locations to support our riders and community members.” – King County Executive Braddock
“Transit safety and security are fundamental to building a reliable and accessible transportation system. Thanks to Seattle voters, the Seattle Transportation Levy and Seattle Transit Measure allow us to invest in enhancing safety and security on King County Metro buses and routes. This investment allows us to work collaboratively with Metro to create a safer, more welcoming transit experience for everyone who depends on public transportation.” – SDOT Director Adiam Emery
“At King County Metro, we’re driven to serve our community members and to be your favorite way to travel. We’re appreciative to Executive Braddock, Mayor Harrell, and other leaders and partners for supporting our Metro riders and employees. Metro First-line Supervisors, Metro Transit Police Officers and Metro Transit Security Officers — alongside our Behavioral Health Specialists, SaFE Ambassadors and all our staff — are committed to your safety and to treating everyone with respect.” – King County Metro General Manager Michelle Allison