Everett Transit riders won't get free bus rides when Community Transit drops fares across Snohomish County starting Thursday, Oct. 1.

Community Transit will offer free rides on all fixed-route buses and DART paratransit vehicles from Oct. 1 through Oct. 8 to celebrate the agency's 50th anniversary, The Daily Herald reported. The agency was established Oct. 4, 1976. The promotion does not extend to Everett Transit, Sound Transit or King County Metro. Riders who transfer from a free Community Transit bus to another agency's route will need to pay that system's fare.

Everett operates the only city-run transit agency in the Puget Sound region. That distinction could end by April 2027 under a proposed merger that would fold Everett Transit into Community Transit's service district.

What's free and what's not

Community Transit's Ride Free Week covers fixed-route buses and DART paratransit only. Zip microtransit shuttles and Vanpool rides will still charge normal fares, according to the agency's announcement reported by My Edmonds News.

The agency's board of directors plans to mark the anniversary with a resolution at its Thursday meeting.

Community Transit is also running a Switch Your Trips Challenge during October. Riders who log at least 10 transit trips between Oct. 1 and Oct. 31 can enter to win prizes at ctgo.org/rewards. A Ride Store Pop-up is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring "Bluebell," the agency's original 1959 GMC New Look bus converted into a traveling mobile museum.

The fare-free week coincides with the annual Week Without Driving event.

The merger looming over Everett Transit

Everett riders are excluded because Everett Transit operates independently from Community Transit. That separation could end under a proposed interlocal agreement unveiled Sept. 23 that would absorb Everett Transit into Community Transit effective April 1, 2027.

Community Transit would pay Everett $54.5 million: $42.5 million for transit property and assets, including Everett Station, buses and charging equipment, plus $12 million for impacts and transition costs, according to The Everett Post. Everett would transfer $16 million in existing capital reserves to Community Transit.

The deal would raise Everett's transit sales tax from 0.6% to 1.2%, an increase of 6 cents on a $10 taxable purchase. Transit service in Everett would increase by 50% through 2031, though riders would not see changes until spring 2028. Fares would remain unchanged for at least 12 months after annexation.

Not everyone supports the plan. Keith Jacobson, an Everett Transit bus driver, told the Everett City Council at its Aug. 5 meeting that the city was "going out of its way to avoid asking the citizens what they want." Jacobson questioned whether it was necessary to eliminate an agency that has been part of Everett for more than 133 years, particularly if the resource need is a long-range problem.

What's next

The Everett City Council was set to vote Sept. 30 on an initiation agreement to set a public hearing date. The result was not available at publication. Public hearings on the annexation are anticipated Oct. 28 before the council and Oct. 29 before the Community Transit board. Final votes are anticipated Nov. 4 and Nov. 5.

Public comments received by Oct. 21 will be shared with both bodies. Residents can submit input online at bit.ly/etctcomment, by email to [email protected], by phone at 425-257-7121, or by mail to City of Everett Communications, 2930 Wetmore Ave., Suite 10-A, Everett, WA 98201.

Riders can plan Community Transit trips at communitytransit.org or by calling 425-353-7433.