Following a period of public input and negotiations, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin and Community Transit CEO Ric Ilgenfritz announced details of a proposed agreement to consolidate transit service in Snohomish County, Washington.

Under the proposed Interlocal Agreement (ILA), Everett Transit would be consolidated with Community Transit, with plans to increase bus service in Everett by 50% and reduce the need for transfers for riders traveling between Everett and other destinations across the county and region.

The agreement also includes provisions to retain existing paratransit eligibility and service for Everett customers and preserve employment for Everett Transit employees.

Public hearings on the agreement and potential annexation are expected to be held by the Everett City Council and Community Transit Board of Directors before final consideration.

“Now is the time to build one seamless transit system for Everett and Snohomish County,” said Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin. “Sound Transit light rail is transforming how we connect to destinations around Puget Sound. With six more stations on their way, we must seize this pivotal moment.”

“We’ve reached an agreement based on public input that improves transportation for all Snohomish County residents,” added Community Transit CEO Ric Ilgenfritz. “If this plan is approved, we will get started right away making public transportation easier and more convenient for people to get where they want to go county-wide.”

ILA Details

The proposed agreement was developed following input from Everett bus and paratransit riders, employees, and other members of the public. The City of Everett and Community Transit gathered feedback through stakeholder discussions, staff meetings, an open house attended by nearly 100 people, and 217 online and written comments.

According to officials, the feedback helped shape provisions related to paratransit service, Everett Transit employees and benefits, and future transit service within the city. Additional community engagement on an integrated transit network is planned for 2027.

Key provisions of the proposed ILA include:

• Increasing transit service in Everett by 50% through 2031.
• Adding a Zip microtransit zone in Everett by spring 2028.
• Retaining paratransit eligibility and the existing service area for current Everett paratransit customers.
• Retaining employment for Everett Transit employees through transfers to Community Transit or continued employment with the city. Community Transit would honor the collective bargaining agreements covering employees who transfer.

Consolidation Timeline and Funding

If approved, Everett would be annexed into Community Transit’s Public Transportation Benefit Area (PTBA), making Community Transit responsible for transit service within the city.

Service would initially remain largely unchanged while the agencies conduct public engagement, plan an integrated network, and prepare for the transition.

The first service improvements are expected in 2028, including the addition of a Zip microtransit zone. Additional service expansions would be phased in through 2031. Fares would initially remain unchanged while the Community Transit Board of Directors, with Everett representation, considers longer-term options.

The service expansion would be supported by a change in Everett’s local transit sales tax. Community Transit’s 1.2% transit sales tax would replace Everett’s current 0.6% transit sales tax within the city, an increase equivalent to six cents on a $10 taxable purchase.

Under the agreement, Community Transit would pay Everett $54.5 million. Of that amount, $42.5 million would cover transit property and assets, including Everett Station, buses, charging equipment, and other facilities and equipment. Another $12 million would address transition costs and impacts to city services.

Everett would separately transfer $16 million in existing transit capital reserves to Community Transit to support equipment and vehicle replacement.

The consolidation remains subject to approval by the Everett City Council and Community Transit Board of Directors following the required public process.