Everett Officials Detail Proposed Agency Merger
EVERETT. Officials from Everett and Community Transit provided further details Wednesday regarding a proposed consolidation of their respective transit agencies, outlining plans for expanded service alongside specific financial figures.
The draft interlocal agreement, made public Wednesday, sets a target date of April 1, 2027, for the merger to commence. Both governing bodies could cast votes on the proposal as early as November.
Discussions regarding a potential merger were renewed in April 2026 after being suspended in 2024. The proposal has generated significant community debate; proponents argue the consolidation will enhance transit services for Everett residents, while critics express apprehension regarding potential tax increases and the relinquishment of local oversight.
Agency officials stated that the agreement was developed through consultation with key stakeholders, meetings with staff members, an open house event attended by nearly 100 people, and the review of more than 200 comments submitted online and in writing.
On Wednesday, Community Transit CEO Ric Ilgenfritz and Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin endorsed the consolidation as the appropriate course of action. Franklin noted that Everett is anticipating substantial population growth, including the potential annexation of the Mariner neighborhood and an influx of approximately 60,000 residents over the next two decades, necessitating expanded transit capabilities. Everett currently stands as the only city in the Puget Sound region operating its own transit agency.
"Our team has done incredible work," Franklin stated. "They do a really good job of serving our community, but that service was based on a much smaller Everett than we are today. It's going to help us meet that future capacity."
According to the service plan included in the agreement, transit service within Everett would expand by 50% through 2031 under a merger. This figure represents double the increase currently projected in Everett Transit's Long Range Plan. Franklin and Ilgenfritz indicated the merger would result in extended service hours, reduced wait times, and more direct routes.
Ilgenfritz expressed enthusiasm for enabling trips that are currently impossible or difficult for the average person to make. He stated the opportunity exists to eliminate network inefficiencies and establish direct connections.
Riders would likely not observe service modifications until spring 2028. Should the plan advance, Ilgenfritz said Community Transit would initiate a public-facing planning process in January 2027 to develop the subsequent version of the countywide transit network. He estimated a final plan would be presented to the Board of Directors for approval in late 2027.
During this planning period, the agreement stipulates that no service reductions will occur. For up to 18 months following the merger's inception, Everett is to provide administrative and operational support to Community Transit.
Franklin emphasized that the future extension of light rail to Everett adds urgency to the decision regarding consolidation. On Friday, Sound Transit released a draft environmental impact statement containing additional details regarding the planned stations.
"As we get those six new stations in the Everett Link Extension alignment, we need to demonstrate that we can deliver riders to those stations," she said.
The consolidation of transit services in the region is set to take effect on April 1. Under the new arrangement, residents of Everett will begin paying a transit sales tax rate of 1.2% to Community Transit, doubling the current 0.6% rate. Previously, the city held authority to increase this tax only up to 0.9%.
A local city council member emphasized the importance of ensuring the additional revenue supports essential services. He noted that the funds should help low-income residents commute to work and school, visit medical appointments, and support local businesses by ensuring employees arrive on time.
Fare structures will remain stable for at least the first year following the merger. Any subsequent fare adjustments will require approval from the board, analysis by staff, and input from the public.
The financial terms of the agreement involve significant asset transfers. Community Transit will provide $42.5 million to Everett for the purchase of transit assets, including buses, charging infrastructure, and Everett Station. The station is valued at $17 million in the deal. Current tenants at the station will maintain their existing leases, and the facility will remain available for city and community use for three years post-merger.
Additionally, Community Transit will remit $12 million to the city to cover transition costs and impacts on municipal services. The city will also be included in a bus stop improvement initiative, which may involve adding shelters and enhanced lighting to stops within Everett.
In exchange, the city will transfer $16 million in capital reserves to Community Transit to fund vehicle and equipment replacements. The city will also lease its Transit Operations and Maintenance Center at 3225 Cedar St. to Community Transit for five years at an annual rate of $300,000.
Regarding paratransit services, the agreement guarantees that current riders will continue to receive service. However, eligibility rules will change for new applicants. Individuals who reach age 65 after the merger takes effect will no longer qualify automatically, aligning with Community Transit’s standard policy. A city official noted that approximately 23 current riders in Everett are 65 or older without a qualifying disability. He suggested that more frequent fixed-route service and the introduction of microtransit options could benefit senior citizens.
By 2028, the agencies intend to launch a Zip microtransit zone in Everett. This service allows riders to book shuttles at the same cost as a standard bus fare to any destination within the designated zone. Community Transit currently operates similar shuttle zones in Arlington, Darrington, Lake Stevens, and the Alderwood area.
Employment terms for current staff are also defined. All existing Everett Transit employees will keep their jobs, either by transferring to Community Transit or by finding positions within the city. The new operator will honor the current collective bargaining agreement held by the Everett Transit union. A city official stated that the goal is to protect employee interests, viewing the integration as a valuable learning opportunity for the broader transit system.
Everett Transit’s union leadership has raised questions about how seniority rights will be preserved as part of a planned merger with Community Transit. Under current practice, longer-serving bus operators gain priority in selecting shifts and preferred routes, a benefit that could shift under the new structure.
Franklin, speaking on behalf of the union, outlined that seniority determination would be addressed during collective bargaining. The existing contract, covering Everett Transit employees, remains in place through 2027, with formal negotiations scheduled to begin next year, according to Ilgenfritz.
State legislation mandates that Community Transit revise its board composition once the merger takes effect, as the inclusion of Everett would expand the agency’s service area population by over 15%. As part of this transition, Everett is assured one voting seat on the board, with implementation required no later than 90 days following annexation.
Public input opportunities are set to commence next week, as both the Everett City Council and the Community Transit Board of Directors prepare to announce hearing schedules. Early planning indicates Oct. 28 for Everett and Oct. 29 for Community Transit. Formal votes on the annexation are expected Nov. 4 in Everett and Nov. 5 in Community Transit.
Comments submitted by Oct. 21 will be forwarded to both governing bodies ahead of their respective decisions, per a recent statement. Residents may share perspectives through several channels: a dedicated online portal (bit.ly/etctcomment), email to [email protected], phone calls at 425-257-7121, or written correspondence to City of Everett Communications, 2930 Wetmore Ave, Suite 10-A, Everett, WA, 98201.