Everett council accepts 2026–2031 Transit Development Plan, citing ridership gains and capital needs

The Everett City Council voted to accept the 2026–2031 Transit Development Plan (TDP) and the 2025 annual report following a staff presentation and council Q&A.

Bob Leonard of city administration and Transit Director Michael Schmieder told the council the TDP is a state-mandated six-year planning document that summarizes last year’s activity and outlines priorities for fixed route, paratransit and Everett Station operations. Schmieder said the plan “provides an overview of Everett Transit’s recent performance while outlining a strategic vision for the next 6 years of service and investment.” He added the plan will be submitted to the state on Sept. 1 after council acceptance.

Staff reported fixed-route ridership rebounded to about 1.7 million passengers after strong post-pandemic growth, and described 2025 expenditures of $19.2 million to deliver fixed-route service and $4.9 million for paratransit. The presentation noted capital outlays of $25.7 million against capital revenues of $15.2 million and an operating reserve of $7.0 million.

Transit staff highlighted several service changes and pilot programs: extension of Route 8 to the South Everett Freeway Station to improve light-rail access, a fare-free Route 12 (carried through 2026), targeted event shuttles, and partnerships with local service providers. On fleet, Schmieder said Everett added 14 grant-funded Gillig battery-electric buses, acquired seven refurbished diesel buses, and installed inductive charging at College Station and Seaway Transit Center to extend electric-bus range.

Council members pressed staff on financial assumptions and capital projects, particularly the long-discussed maintenance and operations facility (MOAB). Brandon Hilby, Everett Transit’s finance manager, told council that commercial-space vacancies at the station and other pressures have contributed to a growing deficit: “I believe that the deficit is slowly growing,” he said. Schmieder said a site feasibility review reduced an initial MOAB estimate of about $175 million to approximately $105 million for a preferred site, while emphasizing the project would rely heavily on grant funding and could be phased.

Following the presentation and after no public testimony at the hearing, a motion to accept the report carried on a roll-call vote with affirmative votes from the council members present. The council’s acceptance fulfills the TDP’s state reporting requirement and keeps the planning work on schedule as the city considers either remaining independent or integrating some services with Community Transit.