Statement from Council Chair Dow Constantine on Metro Transit’s response to today’s adverse weather

February 26, 2009

Summary

Story

“This morning I received many reports that Metro buses were late, off their routes, or missing altogether during today’s morning commute.

“I immediately contacted Metro staff and urged them to move quickly to improve communications with the bus riding public. Many King County residents depend on Metro daily to deliver them to school, work, and other important appointments. During sudden storm events of this type they need to know what to expect so they can inform their families and employers.

“Given the increasing sophistication of modern phones and wireless internet providers, I encourage Metro to take immediate action to use instant messaging, Twitter, neighborhood blogs, and customer self-reporting systems to keep Metro operators and riders connected. I also urge Metro to continue to work with the roads departments of King County and our 39 cities to create a list of priority bus routes that will be cleared and operated first in any adverse weather event.

“All too often, as the weather warms, the urgency to fix the problems exposed by the winter storms melts with the snow. As the chair of the King County Council, I promise to remain focused throughout the year on working with Metro to improve their website and communications systems to give riders timely and useful information during winter storms and other emergency events. I am confident that Metro can do much better in the future.”