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Janice Zahn elected vice chair of Regional Transit Committee; members outline 2025 work plan and calendar
Summary
The Regional Transit Committee unanimously voted to elect Seattle Councilmember Janice Zahn as vice chair on Jan. 15 and reviewed committee roles, Metro policy documents and a proposed 2025 work plan; staff requested member input on topics by Jan. 21 and scheduled a full work‑plan adoption for February.
Seattle Councilmember Janice Zahn was elected vice chair of the King County Regional Transit Committee on Jan. 15 after a nomination from the committee’s non‑county caucus and a unanimous vote of the non‑county members.
The committee convened remotely and Chair Theresa Mosqueda, a King County councilmember, described the selection process under the King County Charter: the vice chair is chosen by non‑county members (Seattle and Sound Cities Association representatives). Vice Chair Simone nominated Zahn; Zahn accepted and the non‑county members voted in favor. "I've really enjoyed serving on the regional transit committee and would be honored to step up and support," Zahn said after accepting the nomination.
Before the nomination vote, council staffer Mary Bergannon reviewed RTC membership, duties and the policy documents that guide Metro: the Strategic Plan for Public Transportation, service guidelines and the long‑range MetroConnex plan. Bergannon noted Metro’s current biennial budget is about $3.1 billion, the service guidelines set priorities for adding and reducing service (equity, land use and connections), and MetroConnex is an unconstrained long‑range plan that identifies a funding gap to reach its network goals.
Bergannon also outlined three items that are effectively required for the 2025 RTC work plan: the annual system evaluation report (statutorily transmitted each Oct. 31), the annual strategic plan/dashboard briefing (requested yearly), and a council budget proviso that requires Metro to brief the RTC on transit safety and security by April 30, 2025. She asked members to send additional suggested agenda items to staff and said the committee plans to assemble a month‑by‑month schedule and return with a proposed resolution.
Committee members suggested topics to include in the calendar: RapidRide development and implementation, the East Link and Eastside service restructures that will follow new light‑rail connections, the youth fare‑free program and fare‑box recovery, ridership trends and service planning as Metro restores service, the move to a zero‑emission fleet, and an operational overview or field trip to Metro facilities.
Staff set a timetable for finalizing the work plan: members were asked to send ideas to Mary Bergannon by close of business Tuesday, Jan. 21; staff will then prepare a proposed calendar for consideration at the Feb. 19 RTC meeting when the committee may adopt a work‑plan resolution. Bergannon said if the committee approves a calendar, it will be a guiding document that can be adjusted as needed.
The committee took one other formal action early in the meeting: it approved the Nov. 20, 2024 RTC meeting minutes by unanimous voice vote.
Chair Mosqueda closed the meeting with procedural notes: RTC will remain fully remote for now at the Sound Cities Association's request, the next regular meeting is Feb. 19, and staff will circulate reminders and a draft calendar for member review.
