The Arc of Snohomish County

ACCESSIBLE Community Transit Transportation

ACCESSIBLE Community Transit Transportation by Leigh Spruce

Community Transit is working to improve accessibility for all in Snohomish county. I am currently participating in a number of ongoing working groups that are looking into developing more centralized forms of transit systems around the areas where there is population growth and who have underserved access to transportation in these communities.

Light rail is coming to Lynnwood and then Everett within the next 2-5 years, which will make getting to and from much easier and more efficient.

Community Transit has been working with another group to implement a shuttle system (Zip Shuttle) to help getting around Lynnwood much easier and more efficiently. What is great about this is that it is an on demand ride service that works very much like Uber/Lyft with the GOIN’ phone app. The cost will be considerably less: $2.50 per ride, $1.25 if you have an Orca card, and free for those under 18 yrs. old. It will run from 5am to 10 pm, seven days a week, circulating mainly in the downtown Lynnwood area from Alderwood Mall to the Edmonds Library. There will be options for an accessible van or car and requesting a car seat for a young child or baby.

Community Transit is conducting a study for the next year to see if this is successful. There are already plans to study other areas within Snohomish County, like Lake Stevens, Arlington and Darrington to see if such programs will work in these areas, although the type of service may vary.

The next city that is looking to improve transportation services is Arlington. Community Transit is working on a survey to see where this type of service will benefit most. At a recent meeting, we met to get an introduction on the project, and we looked at past surveys that were conducted in Lynnwood. We customized the survey and narrowed down some criteria, to customize ideas relating to the needs in Arlington. We hope to distribute the survey in the next few weeks.

For more information, you can call 425-521-5600, or you can download the GOIN’ app on your android or Apple device.

*****Leigh Spruce is the Self-Advocate Coordinator for The Arc of Snohomish County. Contact her at leigh@arcsno.org or 425-258-2459 ext. 103 for information about transportation, housing, leadership, and self-advocacy.
Focus on Transportation
The Arc of Snohomish County: Focus on Transportation

Originally published by The Arc of Snohomish County in Leadership Newsletter (2021, Issue 3)

Transportation is an essential service of everyday life. Whether it’s going to the store, work, a doctor’s appointment, or simply visiting a friend, everyone needs transportation. For the DD [Developmental Disabilities] community, accessible transportation continues to be difficult to obtain.

SNOTRAC

Snotrac advocates for connecting people and communities in Snohomish County and beyond with safe, equitable, and accessible transportation. Snotrac’s priorities include creating & coordinating mobility services, education, outreach, and engagement, planning & design of livable communities, securing public support & funding, and emergency response coordination. For more information on Snotrac or to join in their advocacy efforts, check them out at https://www.gosnotrac.org/.

DISABILITY RIGHTS WASHINGTON

At Disability Rights Washington, access to transportation is consistently listed as one of the top concerns for their constituents. Those who can’t drive or don’t have access to a car are more likely to be disabled, BIPOC, indigenous, and immigrants. There are also elders and young people, as well as those who can’t afford to own or maintain a vehicle.

DRW believes in a model of change that begins with sharing stories with each other. DRW’s organizing and these stories will begin to shift the narrative that only drivers in Washington State have mobility needs worth prioritizing. Read DRW’s research paper, and if you’re a non-driver and live in Washington State, DRW wants to connect with you through their story map. For more information about DRW, check them out at https://www.disabilityrightswa.org/.

COMMUNITY TRANSIT TRAVEL TRAINING PROGRAM

Need help figuring out the bus system? Community Transit’s Travel Training program could be the tool you need. The Travel Training program is designed to teach the basic skills necessary to ride the Community Transit’s bus service. Travel Trainers ride with you during training, guiding you through the transit experience all the way to your destination. Travel Training is geared for anyone who needs a little extra help navigating the transit system, including
- Senior citizens
- Students
- People with disabilities
- Non-English speakers
- New residents
- New riders
The program is customized to meet your individual needs and can last from one hour to several sessions – as long as you need to feel safe and confident. Signing up is easy and there is no cost to you.

EVERETT TRANSIT

Everett Transit is committed to providing equal access to all services. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity and access for persons with disabilities. Information for Everett Transit ADA compliance and complaints can be found here.

**********

Contact: Email Leigh@arcsno.org or Jake@arcsno.org
Zip Shuttle Coming

Community Transit plans to expand ZIP Shuttle

Community Transit has been identifying areas in Snohomish County where people who don’t drive are needing access to public transit to get around their communities. Lynnwood developed a micro transit system in collaboration with Community Transit and community non- profit partners so that people have an easier way to get around. This pilot program called Zip is currently in the stage where it is being studied. The feedback from people who use it has been positive.

Community Transit is now in the early planning stages of expanding this service to other cities (Arlington, Lake Stevens, and Darrington) who are isolated from larger communities. These areas are looking to have more of a shuttle-type service, rather than a bus system, since these areas are smaller. I learned that Darrington had no public transportation access for almost 30 years. They recently partnered with Homage Senior Services Transportation Assistance Program (TAP) to help both Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities by providing transportation access to areas where there are needed services (i.e. from a rural area where there is no public transportation access to a bigger city). Lake Stevens service area seems only to be concentrated around the lake itself and those who live further out of the area who have little to no access to different areas around the city itself.

Developing a system like Zip Shuttle in smaller areas might better benefit from a fixed bus route. It is the same cost as a regular bus, but you have more payment options available, like Orca/Debit/credit card/cash. Children ride for free until age 19. The service also has child and baby car seats available for use. As well as bike racks. It works on an on-demand and shared ride basis like Uber/Lyft through a phone app. They plan to have the service in these areas running within the next 2 years.

Those interested in learning more about this service can find information on Community Transits webpage https://www.CommunityTransit.org/Zip Shuttle.

By: Leigh Spruce, Self-Advocacy Coordinator, Leigh@arcsno.org

Menu