Transit union announces March 20 kickoff of Transit Safety & Security Task Force
The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 587 on Friday announced March 20 as the first meeting date for the new Transit Safety and Security Task Force. City leaders, public safety officials, transportation stakeholders, transit agency representatives, and King County representatives will convene in the new task force focused on addressing safety and security both aboard transit for riders and operators, and in areas around transit.
“ATU 587 is thankful to the leaders who came to our press conference announcing this task force today, along with all of the leaders helping to put it together and all who have committed to participate,” said Greg Woodfill, president of ATU Local 587. “We view this as our best and only hope of successfully addressing the underlying public safety issues that disproportionately affect our transit employees and our passengers.”
The task force kickoff announcement follows the tragic murder of transit operator Shawn Yim in December. Just hours after his murder, the leadership of ATU Local 587, flanked by city and county leaders, called for the creation of a countywide task force on transit safety. Friday’s announcement made good on that promise.
“I’m proud to see this vital work getting off the ground,” said King County Council member Claudia Balducci. “I look forward to supporting the task force’s recommendations and ensuring that everyone aboard transit – both operators and the riding public – feels safe and secure. We must do everything in our power to prevent another tragedy, like Shawn’s death, and also to alleviate the everyday incidents and issues that caused people to feel unsafe on our transit system.”
One of the primary goals of the task force is addressing transit safety and security in King County, including the jurisdictions in which the Metro transit department operates. As a starting point, the task force will address:
Improvements to operator safety on Metro transit department buses, including a plan to install physical barriers for bus operators on both newly acquired and existing bus fleet;
Strategies to hold public transit passengers, as well as others at bus stops and transit centers, accountable for abiding by the requirements for conduct on transit property, as specified in K.C.C. chapter 28.96, as well as local laws and regulations;
Interagency coordination and shared responsibilities with the jurisdictions in which the Metro transit department operates;
Coordination with Metro transit police, local law enforcement, communities, and transit riders to improve response times with the goal of improving both public safety and the perception of safety onboard public transit and at bus stops and transit centers; and
Other issues as identified by task force members.
The task force will meet regularly through spring 2025 to develop an initial list of recommendations. Per County Legislation, a report is due in September 2025 to provide accountability and to report on progress for improving transit safety and security.
ADDITIONAL QUOTES
“While King County Metro is doing everything we can to improve safety for our employees and riders, we recognize the need for this task force because our agency alone cannot make our communities safer. We look forward to collaborating with cities and other partners to take meaningful actions to improve safety and security for everyone in the region.” - King County Metro General Manager Michelle Allison
“No one should feel unsafe riding transit in Seattle – and that includes our drivers and operators. My heart goes out to the family and colleagues of Metro bus driver Shawn Yim, and Seattle stands ready to work with ATU 587 and King County to support safety across our transit network. Drivers and operators perform an essential duty every day, and Seattle’s voter-approved transportation levy includes $9 million for transit safety as we work to eliminate threats and impacts of violence that are completely unacceptable for riders and operators. I am grateful for King County Metro’s work in this space and for the leadership of ATU 587 and Council member Balducci to convene the Transit Safety and Security Task Force.” - Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell.
“I want to thank ATU Local 587 for their advocacy on this issue and their leadership in the creation of this task force. I look forward to its first meeting on March 20th. I’m pleased that my legislation to help create this task force passed the King County Council unanimously on Tuesday. It is a step in the right direction toward providing our transit operators and riders the safety and support they deserve.” - King County Council member Reagan Dunn
“Safety is paramount. None of us can make our community safe individually. No one sees district or city boundaries when it comes to safety. If we want true safety, we must work in collaboration and in partnership. We must recommend solutions that will ensure people using Metro Transit can get from point A to point B and to opportunities in their lives without fear or concern for their safety.” - Council member De’Sean Quinn
“As a long-time transit rider myself, ensuring that riders and operators can safely get to their destination is paramount. We are committed to doing everything we can as a city in Federal Way to make this system safer for everyone.” - Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell.
“Our transit operators have chosen careers of public service, and they deserve to be safe and secure on the job. And riders deserve to be safe, too. Violence and aggressive behavior on public transit are part of a much larger crisis, stemming from how we as a city and a society are failing so many people. Failing to provide mental health services, failing to provide treatment for drug addiction, and failing to provide the support to families and children that could prevent people from developing serious problems in the first place. And failing to provide shelter and affordable housing. We need to tackle those structural problems at the same time as we implement immediate measures that can improve safety on our transit system now.” – Katie Wilson, General Secretary, Transit Riders Union
Thanks,
Greg
Greg Woodfill
ATU 587 President/Business Representative