Council accepts Metro Transit 2024 system evaluation; seeks better tracking of ‘ghost buses’

The King County Council on Jan. 28 accepted King County Metro’s 2024 system evaluation and discussed emerging performance issues that affect riders, including unplanned missed trips often described as “ghost buses.”

The evaluation: Mary Bergin, council staff, said the annual report tracks route performance and identifies service needs. The report found that ridership continues to recover from the pandemic, did not show systematic overcrowding during the study period, and identified a need for about 27,000 annual service hours to address reliability (largely caused by traffic, construction and related delays).

Ghost buses and next steps: Council members emphasized that missed trips — buses that never arrive despite schedule estimates — are causing serious rider hardship. The council directed staff to request Metro develop a plan to include missed-trip tracking in the next service-guidelines update and either include the data in the 2025 system evaluation or as an attachment; Metro will be asked to brief the Transportation, Economy and Environment (Tree) Committee and the regional transit committee.

Action and vote: Proposed motion 2024-0367 to accept the 2024 system evaluation was moved for adoption and adopted 7-0 (Council Member Mosqueda excused). Council Member Balducci and others asked staff to consider technological fixes to the “One Bus Away” app so it does not advertise buses that fail to show, and members expressed interest in coordinated investments to address reliability.

Why it matters: Unplanned missed trips affect riders’ ability to get to work, school, child care and medical appointments. Council members said better data and targeted investments will be necessary to rebuild confidence in the transit system and reclaim riders.

Outcome: Motion 2024-0367 accepted the system evaluation; staff will work with Metro on improved missed-trip reporting and provide briefings to committee.