Transit Safety Measure Passes Out of Committee, Advances to Full Council

February 25, 2025

On Tuesday, the King County Council Committee of the Whole passed transit safety legislation to support the creation of a countywide task force on transit safety. The legislation, which would request the King County Executive’s assistance in establishing and participating in the task force, was introduced following the tragic murder of transit operator Shawn Yim.  It was brought forward at the request of the leadership of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 587.

“I want to thank Chair Balducci for working with me to move this legislation forward, and for the leadership of the ATU for their advocacy on this issue,” said Dunn. “The murder of Shawn Yim while he was on duty as a transit operator was a terrible reminder of the devastating consequences of our current public safety crisis. This task force is a step in the right direction toward restoring safety for all who ride public transit.”

“As a county, one of the most important services we provide is transit, and an effective transit system is necessary to meet our mobility, equity, economic, and environmental goals," said King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci. "We can only meet these goals if people feel safe working and riding on our system. With this motion, we are recommitting ourselves to building a foundation of safety and ensuring that every Metro employee and transit rider can safely reach their destinations.”

At a Committee of the Whole hearing last month, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 President Greg Woodfill called for a regional task force to address not only safety on Metro buses, but also the broader public safety issues in the jurisdictions in which they operate.

“We must restore order, safety, and accountability for one’s actions on public transit,” said Woodfill. “All politicians, police forces, and transit leaders in King County are responsible for and must work more closely together to improve public and transit safety.  ATU Local 587 thanks Councilmember Dunn and Chair Balducci for advancing our union’s call for this task force, along with all the Councilmembers who support it.” 

The legislation is expected to be scheduled for a hearing by the full King County Council on an expedited basis at the March 4th meeting..

“I look forward to supporting ATU’s call for a regional task force that will extend its reach beyond King County’s borders to ensure our operators and riders are safe wherever they go.”