Everett residents who want a say in whether the city folds its bus system into Community Transit have a date to mark: Oct. 28.

The Everett City Council on Wednesday, Sept. 30, approved a resolution setting a public hearing on the proposed annexation for Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 12:30 p.m. at City Council Chambers, 3002 Wetmore Ave. The Community Transit Board of Directors followed the next day, scheduling its own hearing for Thursday, Oct. 29, at 3 p.m. at the Community Transit Board Room, 2312 W. Casino Road, My Everett News reported.

If approved, the merger would dissolve Everett Transit and bring the city into Community Transit's service district starting April 1, 2027. Everett is the only city in the Puget Sound region that still operates its own transit agency, according to the Everett Herald.

Community Transit's 1.2% transit sales tax would replace Everett's current 0.6% rate, adding 6 cents to every $10 taxable purchase. The overall sales tax in Everett would rise from 9.90% to 10.50%.

That increase is projected to generate at least $29 million a year for transit starting in 2027, according to city figures cited by the Lynnwood Times.

In return, transit service in Everett would grow by 50% through 2031, double what Everett Transit's own long-range plan calls for, according to a city news release.

Community Transit would pay the city $54.5 million: $42.5 million for transit property and assets including Everett Station, and $12 million for transition costs. Everett would transfer $16 million in capital reserves to Community Transit.

Route changes would not begin until March 2028, when service improvements start phasing in. A new Zip microtransit zone would also come to Everett by spring 2028. Fares would stay the same for at least one year after the merger takes effect.

One change would hit some seniors. Existing paratransit customers, including riders who qualified under Everett Transit's age-65 standard, would be grandfathered into the new system. But people who turn 65 after the merger takes effect would no longer automatically qualify, consistent with Community Transit's policy, the Herald reported.

Not everyone supports the plan. Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 883, which represents Everett Transit drivers and mechanics, has pushed back at council and board meetings. Union President Steve Oss argued at an Aug. 18 open house that voters, not the council, should decide on the tax increase.

"The citizens should have the right to vote on a sales tax increase of 0.6 tenths of a percent," Oss told the Lynnwood Times after the open house.

Mayor Cassie Franklin has framed the merger as essential preparation for Sound Transit's planned Everett Link light rail extension. At a Sept. 23 press conference, Franklin said the city needs to "demonstrate that we can deliver riders to those stations" as six new stations come to the Everett Link alignment, the Herald reported.

How to weigh in

All comments received by Oct. 28 will be shared with both the Everett City Council and the Community Transit Board, according to the city's transit consolidation page. Residents can submit comments:

  • Online: bit.ly/etctcomment
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: (425) 257-7121
  • Mail: City of Everett Communications, 2930 Wetmore Ave., Suite 10-A, Everett, WA 98201

Residents can also speak in person at either hearing.

What happens next

The council will hold a briefing and first reading of the annexation ordinance on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Final votes are anticipated Nov. 4 at the Everett City Council and Nov. 5 at the Community Transit Board.

If both bodies approve, the consolidation would take effect April 1, 2027.