Transit Milestones 1980s

1980

Gerald Haugh named new transit director.
C. Carey Donworth retires as Metro Council's first chair and is succeeded by Dr. Gary Zimmerman.
King County voters reject additional percent transit sales tax on September 16, but narrowly approve second request on November 4 increasing transit's share from 0.3 percent to 0.6 percent.
Two-zone fare system raised to 50 cents and 75 cents.
Metro Central Base expansion completed.
Annual ridership at 66.1 million, more than twice the annual ridership Metro had inherited in 1973.

Photo of Central Base, 2002.
Central Base, 2002.

1981

Metro establishes Downtown Seattle Transit Project and signs agreement with Bellevue to build transit center and expand services.
Metro Employees Historic Vehicle Association (MEHVA) is founded to preserve the rolling stock from Seattle and King County's transit heritage.
Puget Sound Council of Governments launches new light-rail transit study.
Annual ridership at 66 million.

1982

Metro imposes first 10-cent surcharge on peak-hour fares in February. Off-peak fares remain at 50 and 75 cents, while commute-time trips are raised to 60 and 90 cents.
Ron Tober named new transit director.

Photo of Ron Tober
Ron Tober

Waterfront Streetcar enters service on May 29 between Pioneer Square and Pier 70.
Annual ridership at 63.6 million.

Photo of Waterfront Streetcar, 1982
Waterfront Streetcar, 1982.

1983

Metro Council approves downtown Seattle transit tunnel and use of dual-propulsion buses.
Metro takes over Seattle-King County Commuter Pool.
American Public Transit Association (APTA) names Metro Transit best major system in the nation.
85 percent of the population in King County lives within five blocks of a Metro route.

1984

Alan Gibbs becomes Metro executive director.
Metro Council establishes a historic bus fleet and appoints MEHVA as the curator.
Annual ridership at 65.7 million.

1985

Peak fares increase to 65 cents and $1.
Bellevue and Aurora Village Transit Centers open.
Metro establishes an arts program to incorporate public art into its construction projects, particularly in the downtown tunnel.
First "Driver Appreciation Day" is held.
Annual ridership at 64.8 million.

1986

Metro signs "Eastside Action Plan" to expand suburban services and agrees to share downtown Seattle bus stops with Snohomish County's Community Transit.
Annual ridership at 63 million.

1987

Boring of downtown transit tunnel begins on March 6.
MAN articulated trolley buses enter service (but must be recalled for one year to repair braking problems).
Discovery of contractor's use of South African steel prompts Metro Council to adopt formal anti-aparheid policy.
New park-and-ride lots open in South Federal Way and the Renton Highlands.
The Mercer Bus Base (originally North Seattle Base) near the Seattle Center closes as the expanded Metro Ryerson Base opens as an operating and maintenance base.
Metro negotiates Vanpool agreement with Boeing to provide ridesharing options for Boeing. It adds 750 daily riders and 98 vans to Metro's Vanpool fleet.
Annual ridership declines to 61.4 million passengers.

1988

Main downtown transit tunnel excavation finished on April 8.
Houghton Park-and-Ride in Kirkland opens in April.
Seattle City Councilmember George Benson assumes chair of Transit Committee.
U.S. Department of Transportation cites Metro's maintenance program as the best among public transit agencies.
Paul Toliver named transit director in October.
King County voters approve advisory proposition to accelerate rail transit planning on November 8.
Revelation of purchase of South African granite for transit tunnel prompts investigation.
Peak fares increase to 75 cents and $1.25.
Metro employees team up in the "Drive for Excellence" campaign to implement their own ideas to increase ridership. Results exceed the goal.
3,000 people respond to a 9-week marketing campaign offering free "test-ride" kits.
Annual ridership rebounds to 67.6 million.

Photo of Paul Toliver, 1987
Paul Toliver, 1987.

1989

"Granite-gate" scandal leads Alan Gibbs to tender resignation in February, although Metro Council exonerates him of any violation of anti-apartheid policy.
Dick Sandaas named new executive director in September.
ACLU and four citizens file suit on October 29 challenging constitutionality of Metro Council representation.