Many low-income residents rely on the bus. Now, thousands in King County could get passes for free
Lynn Sereda has never driven a car before. She's used public transportation her whole life. Now, due to severe arthritis in her hips, Sereda travels in a wheelchair and uses the Metro Access service in the Seattle area to get around. But over the years, it's become increasingly difficult for Sereda -- who lives on a low income -- to keep budgeting in transportation.
It's a sentiment she's heard from many other seniors she knows: Getting around is essential, but the cost can be prohibitive.
Now, under a new program approved this week by King County Council, people who make at or below 80% of the federal poverty level and meet other eligibility requirements will have access to free bus passes. Under the fare program, expected to go into effect later this year, people would be eligible if they met the income criteria -- which would be about $21,000 for a family of four -- and qualified for other state programs, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
The fully subsidized cards would cover Metro buses, Access vans, Seattle streetcars, King County Water Taxi, Via shuttles and Trailhead Direct. It would not give fully subsidized fares for other regional transit services.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/many-low-income-residents-rely-on-the-bus-now-thousands-in-king-county-could-get-passes-for-free/ar-BB10x985?ocid=hplocalnews
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