SEATTLE — King County Metro is pushing for more than $115 million in safety investments over the next two years as transit union leaders demand action following the fatal stabbing of a bus operator late last year.
Transit union officials appeared before the King County Council on Monday to advocate for sweeping safety improvements, citing the number of assaults on Metro operators and passengers. The renewed urgency comes after a passenger allegedly stabbed and killed Metro operator Shawn Yim near the University of Washington several months ago.
“It is sad that a tragic murder of one of our members is what we have to use spur action, but we are going to honor his memory, and we are going to make sure that we do use that,” said Greg Woodfill, president of Local ATU 587, the transit workers’ union.
Council members are set to discuss the proposals as part of the upcoming two-year budget deliberations. The safety plan includes installing protective barriers for drivers across Metro’s entire fleet and expanding security services.
Data spanning five years shows that assaults on Metro operators where victims pursued charges peaked at 50 incidents in 2021. Video footage from cameras along Metro bus routes has captured numerous violent incidents, including a March assault in Ballard where a man was recorded punching a bus window.
Woodfill told the council that inadequate response times have compounded safety concerns.
“It has taken too long or help not showing up at all, and the problem we have had is finger pointing, who is supposed to show up, whose jurisdiction is it,” he said.
Michelle Allison, Metro’s general manager, outlined the scope of the proposed safety spending to council members.
“Right now, we have roughly $115 million represented in our program for safety items,” Allison said. “That could grow based on conversation with council and continuing to understand the implementation plan in more detail.”
“Some of these recommendations are really large like moving from having a section of the sheriff’s office that is an enhanced service that we call transit security to be an actually full transit police department,” King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci said.
A task force delivered recommendations to the council on Monday, including unified regional emergency protocols and behavioral health crisis services for vulnerable riders.
Union leaders characterized the safety measures as overdue.
“We just need to restore accountability and safety on transit,” Woodfill said.
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