EVERETT — The Everett City Council voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve a consolidation between Everett Transit and Community Transit, a move that signals the end of the city’s 57-year history of operating its own municipal transit system.
If Community Transit gives its final approval during a meeting on Thursday, Everett Transit will cease operations on April 1, 2027. The agreement would trigger a significant shift in regional transit, effectively handing control of the city’s bus services to the Snohomish County-based Community Transit. Under the proposal, the public transit sales tax within Everett would rise from 0.6% to 1.2% on the day of the transition.
Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin championed the decision, citing the potential for expanded service. “Tonight’s vote is about dramatically increasing public transportation, reducing transfer wait times, reducing congestion and serving our residents and our community,” Franklin said during the meeting.
Proponents, including the Snohomish County Transportation Coalition, argue the merger is necessary to improve connectivity and service frequency. The proposed plan aims to increase bus service within Everett by 50% by 2031, with new “Zip” microtransit zones expected by 2028.
However, the decision was not without significant controversy. Opponents, including unionized employees and local residents, criticized the move for bypassing a public vote. A 2025 state law allowed for this consolidation to occur via an interlocal agreement rather than a public ballot, a detail that drew sharp rebuke from citizens like Shanine Chapman, who told the council, “Our voices don’t matter in this decision, and our votes have been taken away.”
Labor concerns also loomed large over the proceedings. Steve Oss, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 883, which represents Everett Transit drivers and mechanics, warned that the merger threatens the seniority status of his members. “Seniority is everything for people in a union,” Oss said. “You spend years working up that ladder. And now we’ve got nothing.” While the agreement mandates that staff will transfer to Community Transit, details regarding how seniority will be integrated between the two unions remain subject to future collective bargaining and potential arbitration.
Changes to paratransit services also drew scrutiny. While current users over age 65 will be “grandfathered” into the program, future applicants will be required to meet stricter Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) qualifications.
The merger, which has been debated in various forms for decades, gained momentum following Everett Transit’s recent financial challenges. If Thursday’s vote by Community Transit succeeds, the transition will include a financial settlement where Community Transit pays the city $54 million for transit assets, while the city transfers $16 million in reserves to the agency.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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