Sound Transit Faces Reform Push Amid ST3 Delays

A push is underway to reform the governance of Sound Transit, the public transit agency serving the Puget Sound region, as a significant ballot initiative has been filed to overhaul its board structure. The initiative, titled “The Effective and Responsive Transit Board Reform Act,” aims to address long-standing delays in delivering the Sound Transit 3 (ST3) expansion projects, which were approved by voters in 2016.

Years of Stalled Progress

Voters approved ST3 a decade ago, a major expansion of the region’s mass transit system. However, progress on many of these critical projects has been slow. In a recent development, the Sound Transit Board of Directors approved a plan that further delays some projects, with potential opening dates stretching into the 2050s or beyond. This lack of progress has led to a growing concern that the agency is failing to meet its commitments and is eroding public trust.

The author of the initiative, Robert Cruickshank, argues that the current governance model is not working and risks the timely delivery of essential passenger rail expansions. “We need a board that is capable of getting ST3 built – and rebuilding the public trust needed to expand the system even further. We do not have that board today,” the op-ed states.

Proposed Board Overhaul

The proposed reform seeks to create a hybrid board structure designed to be more accountable and effective. The initiative, known as IL27-123, proposes a board composed of:

Eleven district-based directors, elected by voters within newly drawn districts of equal population. These directors would be directly accountable to the electorate.
Seven additional directors appointed based on their expertise in areas critical to mass transit construction and operation.
The goal is to balance direct public accountability with the technical knowledge required to manage complex transit projects successfully.

Key Facts
| Feature | Detail |
|—|—|
| Initiative Name | The Effective and Responsive Transit Board Reform Act (IL27-123) |
| Core Issue | Delays in Sound Transit 3 (ST3) project delivery |
| Proposed Change | Hybrid board structure with elected and appointed members |
| Election Method | Ranked choice voting for 11 district directors every four years |
| Appointment Criteria | Technical expertise in mass transit construction and operation |

A model for reform can be seen in Colorado, where a recent law reformed Denver’s Regional Transit District board to create a similar hybrid model. The Washington initiative is intended to spark a broader discussion, with the hope of refining the proposal for potential legislative approval or a public vote in 2027.

Governance Details

Under the proposed Act, eleven districts of equal population would be established within the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (RTA) boundaries. A commission appointed by the governor would draw these districts. Beginning in November 2028, voters across the RTA would elect one director from each district using ranked-choice voting. All 11 elected directors would face election every four years, ensuring a mechanism for the electorate to enact change.

Crucially, elected directors would not be allowed to concurrently hold other elected office or be current Sound Transit employees or contractors. They would receive a salary of $100,000 per year and be provided with staff support. The first elected board would take office in January 2029.

These 11 elected directors, along with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) secretary, would then appoint seven additional board members. These appointees would need to demonstrate significant background in at least one of seven specified areas of expertise related to mass transit. The proposed areas of expertise include:

Construction management
Finance and budgeting for large capital projects
Labor relations
Legal counsel for public agencies
Operations and maintenance of passenger rail systems
Planning and development of transit-oriented development
Public and stakeholder engagement

These seven areas are presented as an initial proposal for discussion, with feedback sought to refine them.

Initiative Limitations

The initiative is presented as a “discussion draft” and has not been fully vetted by legal counsel, although it has undergone a review by the state Code Reviser. It is adapted from a bill previously proposed by Washington state senators in 2017. A significant constraint is Washington State’s “single-subject rule,” which limits initiatives to addressing only one core topic. This means the current initiative can only focus on reforming Sound Transit’s board selection process and cannot simultaneously address other critical issues like the ST3 project list, phasing, revenue streams, bond capacity, or subarea equity rules.

Urgency for Change

The author emphasizes the urgency of the situation, citing the climate and energy crises as reasons for the swift delivery of ST3 projects. “Ten years is long enough,” the op-ed declares. “The climate crisis is here, and now an energy crisis has come with it. The future prosperity and sustainability of our region depends on getting the ST3 projects built quickly.” The initiative aims to rebuild voter confidence, especially after recent decisions to delay projects, ensuring that tax dollars are managed effectively and that the promised transit expansions are realized.

The proposal is not a formal campaign announcement but rather an effort to stimulate a serious conversation that could lead to a revised initiative and a coalition capable of gathering signatures for a funded effort.

Source: The Urbanist, https://www.theurbanist.org/op-ed-its-time-to-reform-sound-transit/

Key facts