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King County Metro warns of looming $1.75 billion shortfall by 2035; leaders weigh preserving service vs. electrification timeline

King County Transportation District (board of supervisors drawn from King County Council) · February 25, 2026
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Summary

Metro officials told the Transportation District that while ridership has recovered and service expansion is planned, uncertain grant flows and legislative risk could push Metro to a $1.75 billion funding shortfall by 2035, forcing choices about service levels, capital projects and the pace of bus electrification.

King County Metro presented a financial outlook that officials described as stable in the near term but facing a substantial budget cliff over the coming decade.

Deanna Martin, chief of staff for Metro Transit, told supervisors Metro provides roughly 277,000 daily rides and has rebuilt service to nearly full trip delivery. She said the agency's 10-year financial plan projects it will fall short of reserve requirements and grow to a $1.75 billion deficit by 2035 under current…

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