Kirkland council reviews transit needs study scope, seeks approach to boost access and regional advocacy

Kirkland City Council members and staff reviewed the scope and timeline for a city-led transit needs study during the council’s June 3 study session, focusing on gaps in access, how to connect people to Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), equity-based advocacy with King County Metro, and targeted outreach to seniors, people with disabilities and youth.

The study — identified in the Transportation Strategic Plan — will map origin–destination needs, assess service gaps and pilot a typologies “toolbox” of solutions (from shuttles to fixed routes) to match service types with land use. Transportation staff plan to procure a consultant this summer, conduct engagement in fall 2025 and complete the study in the fall of 2026. Kimberly Scrivner and Victoria Kovacs, transportation planners, told council the study is not intended to propose or fund capital projects or change land-use policy; rather it will coordinate with the Comprehensive Plan and Metro’s network plans and produce candidate service strategies for the city and partners to consider.

Council feedback emphasized three themes. First, access to frequent transit and to the planned BRT stops: councilmembers asked the study to focus on how people would reach high-frequency lines and the k-line/BRT station, with particular attention to “last‑mile” and feeder services. Councilmember Sweet asked explicitly that the study include access to BRT stations. Second, service for defined groups: councilmembers repeatedly requested targeted outreach to seniors, people with disabilities and youth to capture “hyperlocal” needs (for example, school-linked trips and senior shuttles), and noted existing community initiatives — such as school programs and senior‑council input — to leverage during engagement. Third, regional advocacy and equity: several councilmembers and staff said Kirkland must shape a clear, long‑range argument to Metro about the city’s needs, pressing for a long‑term equity view rather than only short‑term equity scoring, and asked for materials the council can use to advocate to King County and partner cities.

Councilmember Brandon Black said he wants a tool the city can use with Metro and at regional bodies to argue for sustained service hours in Kirkland and to counter short‑sighted equity metrics; Councilmember Daniel Paschal urged both a bottom‑up assessment of local travel patterns and a top‑down overlay of the city’s adopted growth vision so the study supports advocacy for transit that matches planned density. Deputy Mayor Arnold said the city should prepare a “wish list” of projects and be ready to present that list when regional funding or service recovery opportunities arise.

Staff outlined likely engagement methods: focus groups and stakeholder interviews for detailed narratives; a web map or online survey for broader input; and a data request to Metro and regional sources (PSRC, Sound Transit, rideshare data) to augment the analysis. Kovacs said the Transportation Commission asked staff to also consider an “unconstrained” vision — a high‑level set of desired connections not limited by today’s budgets — alongside realistic near‑term solutions.

The study will include a needs assessment, a typologies toolbox (peer city review of shuttle, microtransit and circulator models), and a solutions phase. Councilmembers asked staff to be careful to avoid duplicative public surveys where reliable data already exist and to try to identify grant opportunities. The council did not take formal action; staff will return with the consultant procurement plan and a refined scope after council feedback.

Why this matters: the study is designed to produce both near‑term items Kirkland can pursue and a long‑range advocacy and investment strategy. With Metro projecting phased service recovery in coming years, councilmembers said the city needs both a data‑driven case and a political strategy to secure and expand frequent service for transit‑dependent residents and to support growing housing near urban centers.

Ending: Staff will move ahead with procurement for a consultant and return to council as the study is scoped and engagement tools are drafted. Councilmembers agreed on the study’s major outcomes but asked staff to return with clearer language tying results to advocacy materials and potential pilot programs for seniors and youth.