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-Good afternoon and thank
you everyone for being here.

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I'm Angela Brady
and the acting director

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of the Seattle Department
of Transportation (SDOT).

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And this is a
really exciting day.

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We're here today to mark

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an important step to create
irresistibly great transit

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service on Denny
Way one of the busiest

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and most challenging
corridors in our city

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where bus riders experienced
delays every single day.

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This project responds

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directly to Mayor Wilson's
first executive order,

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focused on improving time
performance and transit

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reliability along
Denny Way for the rally.

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I'm incredibly proud
of our talented SDOT team

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who moved very quickly
to turn this mayor,

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turn the mayor's direction

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into a plan
we can deliver on this year.

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At the end of the day,
this work is about helping

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bus riders spend less time
stuck in traffic

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and moving more people

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within the street
space that we live in.

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I want to also take a minute
to thank Seattle voters

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for believing in and
funding moments like these.

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We depend on the Seattle
Transportation

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levy to redesign

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and rebuild our streets

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to meet the needs
of our growing city.

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And we use the Seattle
Transit measure to add extra

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bus trips to leverage
those investment.

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And with even more transit
service with our partners

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at King County Metro.
Once changes are in, after

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mayor's going to talk to you
about more specifics here,

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once the changes are in,

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people will

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have had a chance
to use the new operations.

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We're committed to
monitoring.

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Monitoring how Denny Way,
the South Lake Union network

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and the route

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8 is performing
and make changes

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and design
tweaks as necessary.

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So thank you again
for being here.

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We have a lot of really
great speakers today,

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very excited to be here.

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And I'm going to turn
this over to Mayor Wilson.

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(applause)

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-Okay.

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Can you hear me? Okay.

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If I kind of yell, is that
okay for you guys?

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Okay.

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And good afternoon,
everyone. Yes.

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So this is probably
one of my favorite moments

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so far as mayor to be here
announcing this

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project.

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First,
I want to really thank

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Angela Brady
and all the folks at SDOT

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who put an incredible
amount, a quick work

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into figuring out how we can
make this project work.

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And I want to thank Fix
the L8 campaign.

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And yes,

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and all of the transit
advocates

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and community members

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who have put so much work
in over the years

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advocating for this
to happen.

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This is really
a personal issue for me.

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You know,

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before I was mayor,
when I was organizing

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with the Transit Riders Union. 
-Yeah. Yeah.

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-Back in, I think it was 2018

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when we teamed up
with other transportation

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and climate groups
to form the Mass Coalition

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and move
all Seattle sustainably.

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Shout out to MASS people.

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And one of our big focuses
was pushing

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for more dedicated bus

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lanes, more transit priority
around the city

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so that transit riders
are not being treated

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like second class citizens.

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And so,
you know, we've made,

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I mean, progress,
right in the

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in the eight years
or so since then.

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But honestly, it's been
a little frustratingly slow.

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So I'm just so excited
and proud to

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be in a position
now where I can help to

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to move things forward
more quickly.

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And so this is also personal
for me as a transit rider.

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You know,
I am one of the 20%

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and growing proportion
of Seattle households

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that do not own a car.

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I've never owned a car.

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And and the Route 8

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as someone who lives on
Capitol

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Hill, it's

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one of my favorite buses
and one of my buses. Right.

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I've taken that bus
with my daughter to explore

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the tide pools
in that direction.

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I've taken that bus
to Seattle Center to watch,

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you know, Shakespeare plays.

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You know,
I have taken that bus

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to take my daughter
to daycare

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and then, of

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course, down to Mount Baker
to access so many locations

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to the south.

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And so, I mean, this is just

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like a workhorse
route, right?

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This is one of our highest
ridership routes,

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and it has long struggled
with reliability.

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I was I recently
had the opportunity to go

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on KEXP
and I had to choose a song.

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And I chose a song by Tacocat called

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“F*** U No. 8”,

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which I believe was written
in like 2012 or 2014.

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So we're talking about
like over a decade

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since this route has been
so frustratingly unreliable

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that people
write songs about it. So.

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And, you know,

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I have to
say, like being stood up by

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your bus is honestly
one of the most dispiriting

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experiences
that you can have.

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And I know every transit
rider out there here today

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and around the city
knows exactly what I mean.

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There's just nothing
that makes you feel like

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you're not valuable, like
your time is not valuable.

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And it's serious, right?

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Like you can lose a job

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because you're half
an hour late

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because your bus
didn't come.

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And, you know, at the very
least, it ruins your day.

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So, you know, this
this moment is

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this is like our opportunity

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to start fixing this
problem.

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So, yes.

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So and this is really also
just now speaking less

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from the personal transit
rider experience, but from

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kind of my my role
now as an elected official

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and a steward
of our public funds. Right.

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So we invest a lot in our
public transit system.

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Public transit is something
that Seattle voters

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have consistently,
overwhelmingly supported.

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And people
want great public transit.

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And so when we're raising
these tax dollars

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to fund our transit system,

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we have to make sure
that we are using that money

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effectively and efficiently.

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And so when we have
our buses stuck in traffic,

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you know, almost motionless

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for 30 minutes
or 45 minutes,

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that's just not a good use
of our transit investment.

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So this
is really also about that.

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It's about
the climate crisis, right?

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It's about

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creating the opportunity
for people to get around

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in the through
the mode of their choice.

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And, you know,

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if you're if your buses
and coming like

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and you have an option
to drive

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like you're probably going
to take that option.

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So this is this is important
for so many reasons.

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So I know

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you all want to know exactly
what we're going to do.

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So we are going to be doing
this in two phases.

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And the first phase
is going to start

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next month, May,
which is like a week away.

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And so in phase one,
we are going to be

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installing a south

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southbound bus only left
turn lane on Queen Anne

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Avenue,
north on to Denny Way

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and an eastbound business
access and transit or bat

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lane on Denny Way

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between Queen Anne Avenue
North and Second Avenue.

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That is phase one.

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Yes, round of applause.

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(cheering and applause)

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(cheering and applause)

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So at
that point, we run into

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a little bit of a roadblock

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because there's this thing
called the World Cup

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that's going to be happening
in Seattle.

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And we have

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kind of a moratorium on
right of way construction

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for that period.

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So phase two is going
to kick off in August.

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So we're going to keep

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the red carpet
rolling and tackle

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the most problematic
clog points.

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So that means we're going to

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install an eastbound
bus lane between Fifth

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Avenue and Stewart Street,

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and we're going to be
restricting a few turns.

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And fixing
this is really important.

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Fixing the Yale Street choke
point

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to keep the whole area
moving.

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So this is actually going
to be a massive improvement

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in the way that traffic
flows in in this whole area.

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And this is
also being timed to coincide

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with additional investments
in transit service.

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So coming this summer,
we're actually going to have

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just more and more frequency
on this route as well.

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So I am really hopeful
that we are going to see

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just like a massive increase

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in the quality of the
transit riding experience

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on this route
and in this corridor. 

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(cheering and applause)

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and we're
not stopping there.

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So another
part of the executive order

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that I issued in January was
asking us not to come back

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with some other
recommendations

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of routes and areas
where bus

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lanes are transit priority.

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You could really get things
moving.

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So ESTA has identified
many more, nearly a dozen

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opportunities to make our
transit system work better.

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And we're going to be
working with them

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over the next few years
to get those things done.

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So I am I'm very,
very excited.

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And I think with
that, I'm turning it over to

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Jason and Nick with
the Fix the L8 campaign.

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Thank you
all for being here.

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This is an amazing turnout.

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(cheering and applause)

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-Hello,

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my name is Nick.

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I founded and helped co-lead
The Fix

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the L8 campaign,

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and for three years

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we've been fighting
for faster

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and more reliable buses
here on Denny Way.

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Route 8

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is one of the slowest
and least

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reliable buses in Seattle,

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and it's also one of
the highest ridership.

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It's the only East-West bus

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in South Lake
Union or Belltown.

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It connects to over 15
North-South routes across

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Denny Way.

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You may remember us
from last summer

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when we raced the bus

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by walking,

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jumping, rope, dancing,
Cha-Cha, sliding,

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hopscotching
all faster than this bus,

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because at Rush hour,
it goes two miles an hour,

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two miles an hour,
up and down.

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Anyway,
that is slower than walking.

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And there are turtles
that go faster.

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In 2009,
the stranger deemed Route

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8 as Seattle's
crappiest bus route,

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and it has held
that title ever since.

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Since 2009, South
Lake Union has boomed.

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Capitol Hill and Belltown
are some of the

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densest places in the state.

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And as Mayor

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Wilson alluded to, Tacocat wrote their anthem

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for you number eight.

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Since that headline,
we've had

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six mayors,

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six mayors that haven't
acted on making proud eight

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the fast, frequent
and reliable connection

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it deserves.

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We've done more studies
and more analysis

259
00:10:31,797 --> 00:10:33,566
and more delay,
all as we've seen

260
00:10:33,566 --> 00:10:36,102
climate change get worse,
our traffic get worse,

261
00:10:36,102 --> 00:10:38,704
and our transit slowly,
slowly gets slower.

262
00:10:38,704 --> 00:10:41,240
That's why I'm so excited
today on Earth Day

263
00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:44,143
to be announcing a change
to this policy.

264
00:10:44,143 --> 00:10:44,910
For three years,

265
00:10:44,910 --> 00:10:46,245
we've been fighting
for better transit,

266
00:10:46,245 --> 00:10:48,547
and since then engineers
at the city have been clear

267
00:10:48,547 --> 00:10:49,849
that we need bus lanes

268
00:10:49,849 --> 00:10:52,585
to make our transit system
fast, frequent, reliable.

269
00:10:52,585 --> 00:10:53,619
Our planners have been

270
00:10:53,619 --> 00:10:55,821
very clear
that we need bus lanes

271
00:10:55,821 --> 00:10:57,490
to live up
to our climate goals,

272
00:10:57,490 --> 00:10:59,325
to live up to our livability
goals.

273
00:10:59,325 --> 00:11:01,260
And the community
has been very clear

274
00:11:01,260 --> 00:11:02,128
that we need bus

275
00:11:02,128 --> 00:11:05,297
lanes to get around fast,
frequently and reliably.

276
00:11:06,132 --> 00:11:07,166
At the beginning
of this year.

277
00:11:07,166 --> 00:11:08,334
Mayor Wilson
saw through that

278
00:11:08,334 --> 00:11:09,535
and cut the red tape,

279
00:11:09,535 --> 00:11:10,536
elevated the solution

280
00:11:10,536 --> 00:11:11,771
and gave direction
in the department

281
00:11:11,771 --> 00:11:13,773
that we would
build a bustling.

282
00:11:13,773 --> 00:11:16,809
Not because it is hard,
but because it is easy

283
00:11:17,410 --> 00:11:19,445
as the other Washington
is doing everything

284
00:11:19,445 --> 00:11:21,781
in their power to drive up
gas prices and inflation.

285
00:11:21,781 --> 00:11:22,848
In Seattle,
we're doing things

286
00:11:22,848 --> 00:11:24,316
a little bit
differently now.

287
00:11:24,316 --> 00:11:25,317
People will have
an alternative

288
00:11:25,317 --> 00:11:27,420
to driving in South
Lake Union today.

289
00:11:27,420 --> 00:11:29,288
The fastest way
to get from this spot to

290
00:11:29,288 --> 00:11:31,557
Lynnwood is to get behind
your car and drive there.

291
00:11:31,557 --> 00:11:33,859
But after this bus lane goes
in, the fastest way in

292
00:11:33,859 --> 00:11:35,461
rush hour is going to be
to get on the eight,

293
00:11:35,461 --> 00:11:37,630
go to Capitol Hill Station
and take the light rail.

294
00:11:37,630 --> 00:11:38,330
And finally,

295
00:11:38,330 --> 00:11:39,465
people are going to have
the freedom

296
00:11:39,465 --> 00:11:41,033
to get around
when they want,

297
00:11:41,033 --> 00:11:43,669
how they want to do it
and as fast as they want to.

298
00:11:43,669 --> 00:11:45,471
And for all those reasons,
I'm so excited

299
00:11:45,471 --> 00:11:47,573
to be standing up here
and finally seeing

300
00:11:47,573 --> 00:11:50,509
that this bus lane
is going to get installed.

301
00:11:50,509 --> 00:11:51,010
Thank you.

302
00:11:51,444 --> 00:11:59,285
(cheering and applause)

303
00:12:01,020 --> 00:12:01,754
-Hi, everyone.

304
00:12:01,754 --> 00:12:02,855
My name is Jason Li

305
00:12:02,855 --> 00:12:05,091
and I call it Fix
the L8 campaign.

306
00:12:05,091 --> 00:12:06,959
Well, I've been advocating
for these bus lanes.

307
00:12:06,959 --> 00:12:09,295
I've heard countless times
that we can't do this

308
00:12:09,295 --> 00:12:11,564
because Seattle
is not like New York,

309
00:12:11,564 --> 00:12:13,399
that our transit network
is not good enough

310
00:12:13,399 --> 00:12:15,935
to support a bustling
on any way.

311
00:12:15,935 --> 00:12:16,902
The thing is, the city has

312
00:12:16,902 --> 00:12:19,905
done this before
and it was a wild success.

313
00:12:19,905 --> 00:12:23,275
Just a couple of miles away,
Madison Street used to be

314
00:12:23,275 --> 00:12:26,312
just like Denny, a two-lane
arterial with two lanes

315
00:12:26,312 --> 00:12:27,279
in its direction

316
00:12:27,279 --> 00:12:28,781
and is chronically clogged

317
00:12:28,781 --> 00:12:31,150
with both local
and I-5 traffic.

318
00:12:31,150 --> 00:12:34,553
And it had a slow and
unreliable bus just like Route 8.

319
00:12:35,321 --> 00:12:37,356
But the city decided
that enough was enough

320
00:12:37,356 --> 00:12:38,991
and decided
to take bold action

321
00:12:38,991 --> 00:12:39,592
to paint bus

322
00:12:39,592 --> 00:12:42,595
lanes up and down that
corridor for RapidRide G.

323
00:12:42,995 --> 00:12:45,698
And that has completely
transformed the street

324
00:12:45,698 --> 00:12:48,567
and has not only given
transit riders

325
00:12:48,567 --> 00:12:49,435
a fast,

326
00:12:49,435 --> 00:12:51,003
frequent and reliable bus,

327
00:12:51,003 --> 00:12:53,339
but it has also convinced
drivers

328
00:12:53,339 --> 00:12:54,807
to leave their cars at home

329
00:12:54,807 --> 00:12:59,011
as daily bus ridership
has increased by 5000.

330
00:12:59,779 --> 00:13:00,880
Think about that.

331
00:13:00,880 --> 00:13:02,114
Think about what happens

332
00:13:02,114 --> 00:13:05,851
when you replace 5000 cars
with a fleet of 13 buses.

333
00:13:06,418 --> 00:13:07,653
Think about
how much more space

334
00:13:07,653 --> 00:13:09,054
we have in the city
now that we don't need

335
00:13:09,054 --> 00:13:10,422
those parking spots.

336
00:13:10,422 --> 00:13:13,392
Think about how much cleaner
our air and water is.

337
00:13:13,392 --> 00:13:15,761
Think about how much safer
our streets are.

338
00:13:15,761 --> 00:13:17,563
And despite
all the naysayers,

339
00:13:17,563 --> 00:13:19,365
think about
how much better traffic is.

340
00:13:21,066 --> 00:13:23,002
And I'm excited thinking

341
00:13:23,002 --> 00:13:25,371
(applause and cheering)

342
00:13:26,405 --> 00:13:27,840
And I'm excited
to see the same thing

343
00:13:27,840 --> 00:13:29,575
play out on Denny Way.

344
00:13:29,575 --> 00:13:31,043
I can't wait

345
00:13:31,043 --> 00:13:34,046
to finally be have a bus
that is faster than walking.

346
00:13:34,747 --> 00:13:37,783
So to know
that I will arrive on time

347
00:13:38,284 --> 00:13:41,287
to finally lose a race
against the bus

348
00:13:41,420 --> 00:13:43,823
and to have drivers repeat
what happened on

349
00:13:43,823 --> 00:13:46,892
anyway and start flocking
to this bus in droves.

350
00:13:47,359 --> 00:13:49,962
But what I'm most excited
about isn't this bus lane.

351
00:13:49,962 --> 00:13:51,931
It's about what comes next,

352
00:13:51,931 --> 00:13:52,698
because likely

353
00:13:52,698 --> 00:13:54,767
Mayor Wilson mentioned
the executive order

354
00:13:54,767 --> 00:13:56,669
also directed us
not to identify

355
00:13:56,669 --> 00:13:58,904
other corridors
that could use a bus lane.

356
00:13:58,904 --> 00:14:01,774
And they came back with
a list of nearly a dozen.

357
00:14:01,774 --> 00:14:04,777
And after we proved that bus
lanes work on a street

358
00:14:05,010 --> 00:14:06,979
as constrained
and as congested as the

359
00:14:06,979 --> 00:14:07,913
anyway,

360
00:14:07,913 --> 00:14:10,683
it'll be common sense to add
bus lanes on every single

361
00:14:10,683 --> 00:14:12,151
one of those streets.

362
00:14:12,151 --> 00:14:12,918
And it's one point

363
00:14:12,918 --> 00:14:14,653
we do this now
than ever before,

364
00:14:14,653 --> 00:14:15,788
as the federal
administration

365
00:14:15,788 --> 00:14:17,456
does everything
in their power

366
00:14:17,456 --> 00:14:19,425
to keep us moving backward
as a country.

367
00:14:19,425 --> 00:14:21,360
So we need to keep
moving forward as a city,

368
00:14:21,360 --> 00:14:23,462
and that includes
keeping our buses moving.

369
00:14:25,297 --> 00:14:26,699
Thank you.

370
00:14:26,699 --> 00:14:27,433
-Yeah!

371
00:14:27,433 --> 00:14:29,702
(applause and cheering)

372
00:14:29,969 --> 00:14:31,370
-But even with all that
I know

373
00:14:31,370 --> 00:14:32,304
there will still be people

374
00:14:32,304 --> 00:14:35,040
who say that
Seattle is not New York.

375
00:14:35,040 --> 00:14:36,442
But we don't have to be.

376
00:14:36,442 --> 00:14:37,943
This is Seattle.

377
00:14:37,943 --> 00:14:39,612
This is your city.

378
00:14:39,612 --> 00:14:41,680
And we've shown time
and time again

379
00:14:41,680 --> 00:14:43,782
that we are willing to do
what it takes

380
00:14:43,782 --> 00:14:46,185
to really invest
in our transit network.

381
00:14:46,185 --> 00:14:47,686
In the last five years,

382
00:14:47,686 --> 00:14:50,856
Link light
rail has expanded six times.

383
00:14:51,523 --> 00:14:52,925
The only train

384
00:14:52,925 --> 00:14:54,159
running across
a floating bridge

385
00:14:54,159 --> 00:14:56,795
in the entire world
is not in New York.

386
00:14:56,795 --> 00:14:57,596
It's here.

387
00:14:57,596 --> 00:14:58,264
(applause and cheering)

388
00:14:58,264 --> 00:15:00,566
(applause and cheering)

389
00:15:01,033 --> 00:15:04,270
Seattle is ready for this
bus lane and so much more.

390
00:15:04,637 --> 00:15:07,640
Seattle is ready to paint
the town red.

391
00:15:07,840 --> 00:15:10,910
Seattle is ready to build
the damn trains.

392
00:15:10,976 --> 00:15:13,212
(applause and cheering)

393
00:15:13,212 --> 00:15:15,881
Seattle is ready
to finally get the world

394
00:15:15,881 --> 00:15:18,584
class public transit system
that it deserves.

395
00:15:18,584 --> 00:15:21,687
And now Seattle finally
has a mayor who is ready to.

396
00:15:22,054 --> 00:15:22,454
Thank you. 

397
00:15:22,655 --> 00:15:26,659
(applause and cheering)

398
00:15:28,327 --> 00:15:30,229
-Masha Podolsky, King County Metro.

399
00:15:30,229 --> 00:15:33,232
First of all, I would like
to thank Mayor Wilson.

400
00:15:33,565 --> 00:15:34,533
Thank you so much

401
00:15:34,533 --> 00:15:37,503
for your ongoing leadership
and advocacy

402
00:15:37,503 --> 00:15:40,572
to make transit
more reliable and fast.

403
00:15:41,140 --> 00:15:43,442
Irresistibly good
transit service.

404
00:15:43,442 --> 00:15:45,711
Should we make a sticker?

405
00:15:45,711 --> 00:15:48,380
Also, I would like to thank
Jason and Nick.

406
00:15:48,380 --> 00:15:50,582
Your voices make made.

407
00:15:50,582 --> 00:15:52,318
the change actually,

408
00:15:52,318 --> 00:15:55,321
and really
are greatly appreciated.

409
00:15:55,888 --> 00:15:56,855
Route Eight.

410
00:15:57,489 --> 00:15:59,725
Consistently
one of Metro's top

411
00:15:59,725 --> 00:16:02,094
ten routes in the system

412
00:16:02,094 --> 00:16:06,398
with nearly 7000 boardings
a day.

413
00:16:06,865 --> 00:16:10,102
It's a huge number,
maybe almost New York,

414
00:16:10,102 --> 00:16:12,271
but we're not comparing,
right?

415
00:16:12,271 --> 00:16:15,741
Bus lanes are proven measure
to help buses most move

416
00:16:15,741 --> 00:16:19,778
faster reliably and also
with consistent time.

417
00:16:19,778 --> 00:16:21,380
A travel times.

418
00:16:21,380 --> 00:16:23,582
All day and every day.

419
00:16:23,582 --> 00:16:26,185
Metro has seen significant
improvements

420
00:16:26,185 --> 00:16:29,321
in bus operations
and also ridership increase

421
00:16:30,155 --> 00:16:34,259
constantly everywhere in
Seattle and also elsewhere

422
00:16:34,259 --> 00:16:37,262
in King County where bus
lanes are installed.

423
00:16:37,763 --> 00:16:40,766
We welcome the addition
of Denny Way bus lane

424
00:16:40,899 --> 00:16:42,167
to the list of locations

425
00:16:42,167 --> 00:16:46,105
where we will see reliable
and fast bus service

426
00:16:47,139 --> 00:16:50,676
and a and
it's all also and it's only

427
00:16:50,676 --> 00:16:53,979
due to the dedicated
dedicated the right of way.

428
00:16:54,813 --> 00:16:57,282
We already have seen
some good news.

429
00:16:57,282 --> 00:16:59,251
We already have seen
some travel time

430
00:16:59,251 --> 00:17:02,988
improvements of 20% in the
PM peak period

431
00:17:03,555 --> 00:17:05,457
due to recently
temporary closure

432
00:17:05,457 --> 00:17:08,460
of Yale Avenue
between Denny and Stewart.

433
00:17:08,761 --> 00:17:11,397
When this closure
becomes permanent

434
00:17:11,397 --> 00:17:14,266
and also the bus
lanes are installed,

435
00:17:14,266 --> 00:17:16,168
we're definitely waiting
to see

436
00:17:16,168 --> 00:17:18,804
even better performance
on the Route 8.

437
00:17:18,804 --> 00:17:21,607
(applause and cheering)

438
00:17:22,074 --> 00:17:23,942
More good news.

439
00:17:23,942 --> 00:17:26,478
As Mayor Wilson already
mentioned,

440
00:17:26,478 --> 00:17:28,013
we're looking forward
to partner

441
00:17:28,013 --> 00:17:31,817
with the city of Seattle
to add infill more service

442
00:17:31,817 --> 00:17:33,118
to Route 8

443
00:17:33,118 --> 00:17:36,422
during the morning hours and
during the midday period.

444
00:17:37,923 --> 00:17:40,492
We absolutely want
to make sure that we are

445
00:17:40,492 --> 00:17:43,562
utilizing these new bus
lanes carefully.

446
00:17:45,330 --> 00:17:48,000
Together, when we introduce

447
00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:51,370
improvements
to our transit system,

448
00:17:51,703 --> 00:17:54,106
riders always follow.

449
00:17:54,106 --> 00:17:57,076
They are with us
and that helps us

450
00:17:57,076 --> 00:18:00,079
to meet our shared climate
goals.

451
00:18:00,579 --> 00:18:02,648
This red carpet today, it's

452
00:18:02,648 --> 00:18:06,285
actually the moment
for our riders and we're

453
00:18:07,252 --> 00:18:09,555
waiting and

454
00:18:09,555 --> 00:18:12,891
and anticipating
to come back and celebrate

455
00:18:12,891 --> 00:18:16,428
with all of you together
when this project is done.

456
00:18:17,029 --> 00:18:20,032
Thank you.

457
00:18:20,232 --> 00:18:23,936
(applause and cheering)

458
00:18:24,636 --> 00:18:25,304
-All right.

459
00:18:25,304 --> 00:18:27,506
Good afternoon.

460
00:18:27,506 --> 00:18:29,675
Good afternoon. Awesome.

461
00:18:29,675 --> 00:18:31,510
You know, I'll share that.

462
00:18:31,510 --> 00:18:33,445
I've never

463
00:18:33,445 --> 00:18:37,416
personally
been super partial to Red.

464
00:18:38,684 --> 00:18:41,253
The color red, but

465
00:18:41,253 --> 00:18:43,188
it looks
damn good on our streets

466
00:18:43,188 --> 00:18:46,191
in key corridors
like this, doesn't it?

467
00:18:46,191 --> 00:18:49,161
(applause and cheering)

468
00:18:49,161 --> 00:18:50,262
Red looks good.

469
00:18:50,262 --> 00:18:53,065
Red is beautiful.

470
00:18:53,065 --> 00:18:55,100
As an aside,
my personal favorite

471
00:18:55,100 --> 00:18:58,337
color is purple or offshoots
thereof.

472
00:18:58,337 --> 00:18:59,905
Lavender.

473
00:18:59,905 --> 00:19:03,909
Wondering if maybe there is
an opportunity.

474
00:19:03,909 --> 00:19:07,045
Madam Mayor, SDOT Director
to incorporate

475
00:19:07,045 --> 00:19:10,082
purple into our streets
or design at some point.

476
00:19:10,849 --> 00:19:13,051
I maybe. If.

477
00:19:13,051 --> 00:19:16,421
Maybe if the manual
on uniform traffic control

478
00:19:17,589 --> 00:19:20,092
devices
that the feds publish,

479
00:19:20,092 --> 00:19:21,860
maybe there'll be
some purple there.

480
00:19:21,860 --> 00:19:23,362
I'm a geek. In any event.

481
00:19:24,663 --> 00:19:27,032
Excited
to be with you all today.

482
00:19:27,032 --> 00:19:30,002
I want to start by thanking
Mayor Wilson

483
00:19:30,169 --> 00:19:32,971
for your leadership

484
00:19:32,971 --> 00:19:35,407
in helping us
get to this point today.

485
00:19:35,407 --> 00:19:37,342
I want to thank SDOT

486
00:19:37,342 --> 00:19:41,280
for designing
and soon to be implementing

487
00:19:42,314 --> 00:19:45,284
the vision of our city,

488
00:19:45,284 --> 00:19:47,819
of our city's leadership.

489
00:19:47,819 --> 00:19:50,856
I want to thank my elected
official colleague,

490
00:19:50,856 --> 00:19:53,859
Councilmember
Rinck for your leadership

491
00:19:56,195 --> 00:19:59,364
and your partnership
in helping to get this done.

492
00:19:59,731 --> 00:20:01,333
You and I have had

493
00:20:01,333 --> 00:20:04,803
Councilmember
Rinck and I have had multiple

494
00:20:05,137 --> 00:20:10,609
strategy sessions where
we've discussed how to best

495
00:20:10,609 --> 00:20:13,612
bring something like this
to life, how to how do,

496
00:20:14,413 --> 00:20:16,515
how to obviate the need
for folks

497
00:20:16,515 --> 00:20:19,451
to walk alongside the bus
and beat the bus.

498
00:20:19,451 --> 00:20:22,588
And it is so great
to be here today

499
00:20:23,121 --> 00:20:25,290
to be in a position
to actually do that.

500
00:20:27,526 --> 00:20:29,528
I also want to thank

501
00:20:29,528 --> 00:20:32,998
the transit operators,
especially our bus drivers

502
00:20:32,998 --> 00:20:36,001
and members of ATU Local 587

503
00:20:36,535 --> 00:20:38,170
who you'll hear
from in a moment.

504
00:20:38,170 --> 00:20:40,973
There are sense of work
that they do every day

505
00:20:40,973 --> 00:20:43,976
to keep Seattle
moving on time.

506
00:20:45,077 --> 00:20:48,080
I'm strongly
supportive of this effort.

507
00:20:48,080 --> 00:20:50,782
If we're truly serious

508
00:20:50,782 --> 00:20:53,919
about getting more people
to choose transit,

509
00:20:55,354 --> 00:20:58,123
then transit has the work.

510
00:20:58,123 --> 00:21:01,126
It has to be reliable, fast,

511
00:21:01,126 --> 00:21:04,129
frequent and safe.

512
00:21:05,197 --> 00:21:06,732
And it part of that means

513
00:21:06,732 --> 00:21:09,735
it has to be on time.

514
00:21:09,901 --> 00:21:11,670
So I say that

515
00:21:11,670 --> 00:21:14,673
not just as a policymaker.

516
00:21:15,540 --> 00:21:18,510
I say that as a daily
transit rider.

517
00:21:18,543 --> 00:21:21,280
One of the worst
kept secrets in my district

518
00:21:21,280 --> 00:21:25,284
in West Seattle
is my daily transit route.

519
00:21:26,952 --> 00:21:29,955
And I'm proud
to be a transit rider

520
00:21:31,123 --> 00:21:33,825
and commute to work,
to city hall, to big events

521
00:21:33,825 --> 00:21:35,160
wherever.

522
00:21:35,160 --> 00:21:37,696
And I strongly encourage
more people

523
00:21:37,696 --> 00:21:39,931
to take advantage
of our transit network.

524
00:21:42,434 --> 00:21:43,101
But that's how

525
00:21:43,101 --> 00:21:46,104
I personally experience
our transportation system.

526
00:21:46,138 --> 00:21:49,875
Along tens of thousands
of Seattleites every day,

527
00:21:51,043 --> 00:21:53,779
we know that
when buses are delayed,

528
00:21:53,779 --> 00:21:56,381
people feel it

529
00:21:56,381 --> 00:21:59,384
in missed
connections, longer commutes

530
00:22:00,185 --> 00:22:03,188
and compounded stress.

531
00:22:03,555 --> 00:22:06,558
Again, the problem we're
seeking to solve for is

532
00:22:07,359 --> 00:22:08,760
it's a bit out of hand,

533
00:22:08,760 --> 00:22:11,963
bit of a head scratcher
that you can literally walk

534
00:22:12,030 --> 00:22:15,867
and dance and hopscotch
right next to a bus

535
00:22:15,867 --> 00:22:18,870
along the same route
and beat the dang bus.

536
00:22:20,372 --> 00:22:22,808
That's not our city

537
00:22:22,808 --> 00:22:25,811
or our transit system
operating at our best.

538
00:22:27,579 --> 00:22:30,115
That's why
projects like this matter,

539
00:22:30,115 --> 00:22:32,851
these targeted quick build
improvements,

540
00:22:32,851 --> 00:22:35,821
bus lanes,
signal prioritization

541
00:22:36,021 --> 00:22:39,024
and clear separation
from general traffic.

542
00:22:40,058 --> 00:22:43,028
These kind of things are
exactly the kind of tools

543
00:22:43,028 --> 00:22:46,465
we should be using
to make transit

544
00:22:46,465 --> 00:22:50,035
faster, more dependable,
more reliable for all.

545
00:22:52,003 --> 00:22:54,873
Last year
was proud to sponsor

546
00:22:54,873 --> 00:22:57,142
a budget amendment
calling on the department

547
00:22:57,142 --> 00:23:00,379
to study the Denny Way
corridor and Route 8.

548
00:23:01,513 --> 00:23:03,548
And that's why
I'm especially

549
00:23:03,548 --> 00:23:05,917
partnered with Councilmember
Rinck on that.

550
00:23:05,917 --> 00:23:10,021
So I'm especially excited
to see our new mayor

551
00:23:10,055 --> 00:23:13,125
bring this to life
through your executive

552
00:23:15,060 --> 00:23:18,063
order and leadership.

553
00:23:18,930 --> 00:23:20,866
I also want to just note
something.

554
00:23:20,866 --> 00:23:23,301
This is important.

555
00:23:23,301 --> 00:23:26,638
Last week in committee,
I spoke about the importance

556
00:23:26,638 --> 00:23:28,039
of allowing our departments

557
00:23:28,039 --> 00:23:31,143
like SDOT
to lead on design decisions

558
00:23:31,977 --> 00:23:34,980
where they have
the technical expertise.

559
00:23:35,547 --> 00:23:39,684
Elect elected officials,
so the full extent possible

560
00:23:39,684 --> 00:23:42,687
should set
policy direction and vision.

561
00:23:43,488 --> 00:23:46,758
But we should be careful not
to micromanage engineering

562
00:23:47,192 --> 00:23:50,829
and operational details
that professionals are best

563
00:23:51,696 --> 00:23:54,699
equipped,
best positioned to handle.

564
00:23:55,367 --> 00:23:57,836
That said, this right here

565
00:23:59,104 --> 00:23:59,538
in my

566
00:23:59,538 --> 00:24:02,541
mind is one
of those very narrow cases

567
00:24:02,574 --> 00:24:04,242
where political leadership

568
00:24:04,242 --> 00:24:07,112
and coordination
are essential

569
00:24:07,112 --> 00:24:10,415
to move a complex
corridor project forward.

570
00:24:10,982 --> 00:24:13,985
And I'm glad to see that
alignment happening here.

571
00:24:14,419 --> 00:24:17,422
Make no mistake,
this is an ambitious plan.

572
00:24:18,690 --> 00:24:20,992
It's indeed a plan
to address

573
00:24:20,992 --> 00:24:24,396
our transportation
network, transit climate

574
00:24:24,396 --> 00:24:27,499
goals, among other cities,
priorities.

575
00:24:27,499 --> 00:24:29,401
But it's ambitious.

576
00:24:29,401 --> 00:24:32,137
I don't want to trivialize

577
00:24:32,137 --> 00:24:32,938
or diminish

578
00:24:32,938 --> 00:24:35,941
the impacts that this
is going to have to some,

579
00:24:36,541 --> 00:24:39,077
but this is the right thing
to do

580
00:24:39,077 --> 00:24:42,080
and it's the right thing
to do Now.

581
00:24:42,581 --> 00:24:45,283
So I also want to highlight
the importance of starts,

582
00:24:45,283 --> 00:24:48,954
intelligent transportation
systems and adaptive

583
00:24:48,954 --> 00:24:51,957
signal control technology

584
00:24:52,657 --> 00:24:55,160
as we make changes
like this.

585
00:24:55,160 --> 00:24:57,929
We need to ensure
that nearby corridors

586
00:24:57,929 --> 00:25:01,867
are upgraded as
well to minimize congestion.

587
00:25:03,101 --> 00:25:05,971
So we're
improving traffic flow,

588
00:25:05,971 --> 00:25:08,607
not just for transit
riders and operators,

589
00:25:08,607 --> 00:25:10,442
especially for them,

590
00:25:10,442 --> 00:25:13,411
but for all
moving through this area.

591
00:25:13,745 --> 00:25:15,580
At the end of the day,
this is about keeping

592
00:25:15,580 --> 00:25:17,582
Seattle moving in the right
direction.

593
00:25:17,582 --> 00:25:19,551
It's about making sure
our transportation system

594
00:25:19,551 --> 00:25:22,687
works for the future
efficiently and on time.

595
00:25:23,388 --> 00:25:26,091
And finally,
I just want to thank again

596
00:25:26,091 --> 00:25:29,094
the transit advocates

597
00:25:29,227 --> 00:25:31,997
for bringing this to life.

598
00:25:31,997 --> 00:25:34,699
I remember vividly
they attended multiple

599
00:25:34,699 --> 00:25:36,334
the council
committee meetings

600
00:25:36,334 --> 00:25:40,272
that I chair sent to
multiple community letters.

601
00:25:41,273 --> 00:25:43,508
And this is a win.

602
00:25:43,508 --> 00:25:44,643
This is a win for you all.

603
00:25:44,643 --> 00:25:46,778
So I want to
I want us to celebrate that.

604
00:25:46,778 --> 00:25:48,480
(applause and cheering)

605
00:25:48,847 --> 00:25:49,581
Yeah.

606
00:25:49,581 --> 00:25:51,783
But make no mistake,
everybody, this is not

607
00:25:51,783 --> 00:25:55,053
just a win for a narrow
group of community

608
00:25:55,887 --> 00:25:57,689
who helped champion
this effort.

609
00:25:57,689 --> 00:25:58,423
Yes, it is.

610
00:25:59,591 --> 00:26:02,160
But this is

611
00:26:02,160 --> 00:26:03,361
the tide.

612
00:26:03,361 --> 00:26:04,229
This win is.

613
00:26:04,229 --> 00:26:07,232
The tide that lifts all boats.

614
00:26:07,666 --> 00:26:10,669
We all benefit and win

615
00:26:11,036 --> 00:26:13,004
when our transit system

616
00:26:13,004 --> 00:26:15,807
runs on time
and is fast and reliable.

617
00:26:15,807 --> 00:26:17,909
So congratulations.

618
00:26:17,909 --> 00:26:20,712
Congratulations
to you, Madam Mayor.

619
00:26:20,712 --> 00:26:22,681
And let's

620
00:26:22,681 --> 00:26:24,849
let's paint
this corridor red.

621
00:26:24,849 --> 00:26:25,517
Let's go get it.

622
00:26:25,517 --> 00:26:27,018
Thank you.

623
00:26:27,252 --> 00:26:30,388
(applause and cheering)

624
00:26:30,956 --> 00:26:32,791
-Good afternoon.

625
00:26:32,791 --> 00:26:36,127
My name is Greg Waddell
and president of ATU 587,

626
00:26:36,127 --> 00:26:39,364
representing 4800
transit workers

627
00:26:39,364 --> 00:26:41,700
in King County
and the Peninsula.

628
00:26:41,866 --> 00:26:44,970
(applause and cheering)

629
00:26:46,171 --> 00:26:47,305
As president of the union,

630
00:26:47,305 --> 00:26:50,308
we would like to thank
the city of Seattle,

631
00:26:51,543 --> 00:26:54,646
its city council,
including our bus lane

632
00:26:54,646 --> 00:26:57,649
champions,
a council member Saka and Rinck,

633
00:26:58,516 --> 00:27:01,186
SDOT,

634
00:27:01,186 --> 00:27:02,220
and the Relay

635
00:27:02,220 --> 00:27:05,223
o Transit Riders Union.
-Yeah!

636
00:27:06,858 --> 00:27:09,661
-And the relentless
grassroots juggernaut

637
00:27:09,661 --> 00:27:11,630
known as

638
00:27:11,630 --> 00:27:13,932
Team Fix the L8.

639
00:27:13,932 --> 00:27:17,569
(applause and cheering)

640
00:27:18,670 --> 00:27:21,272
But most of all, we would
like to thank Mayor Wilson.

641
00:27:22,574 --> 00:27:23,608
We'd like to thank you for

642
00:27:23,608 --> 00:27:26,611
your years
of passionate advocacy

643
00:27:26,611 --> 00:27:29,614
and unwavering support
for public transportation,

644
00:27:30,015 --> 00:27:33,218
transit riders
and the thousands of transit

645
00:27:33,218 --> 00:27:36,221
workers who move this city.

646
00:27:36,388 --> 00:27:38,556
You've always stood
beside and fought with us.

647
00:27:38,556 --> 00:27:40,925
We appreciate that.

648
00:27:40,925 --> 00:27:42,661
Seattle's residents

649
00:27:42,661 --> 00:27:45,764
have always understood
that our region cannot reach

650
00:27:45,764 --> 00:27:46,765
its full potential

651
00:27:46,765 --> 00:27:49,768
without safe and reliable
public transportation.

652
00:27:51,136 --> 00:27:53,038
Seattle's unwavering support

653
00:27:53,038 --> 00:27:56,041
for and investments
in public transit

654
00:27:56,074 --> 00:27:57,208
haven't gone unnoticed

655
00:27:57,208 --> 00:28:00,211
or unappreciated
by our union members.

656
00:28:01,312 --> 00:28:04,683
When buses sit in gridlock,
a transit operator's day

657
00:28:04,683 --> 00:28:07,852
rapidly becomes even more
difficult and stressful

658
00:28:07,886 --> 00:28:10,055
than it usually is,

659
00:28:10,055 --> 00:28:12,524
as they'll lose their breaks
and bear the brunt

660
00:28:12,524 --> 00:28:15,527
of passenger frustration
from being off schedule.

661
00:28:16,995 --> 00:28:19,431
Creating dedicated
transit lanes on congested

662
00:28:19,431 --> 00:28:21,966
corridors
like Denny Way is critical

663
00:28:21,966 --> 00:28:24,436
to keeping public
transit a viable option.

664
00:28:26,971 --> 00:28:28,540
Our transit operators

665
00:28:28,540 --> 00:28:31,509
can't
wait to try them out yet.

666
00:28:31,676 --> 00:28:34,612
(applause and cheering)

667
00:28:35,513 --> 00:28:37,982
These bold actions announced
by Mayor Wilson today will

668
00:28:37,982 --> 00:28:40,952
hopefully change Route Eight’s
well-deserved moniker

669
00:28:41,553 --> 00:28:44,222
from the Late
Eighth to the Great Eight!

670
00:28:44,589 --> 00:28:47,726
(applause and cheering)

671
00:28:48,793 --> 00:28:50,895
I'd like to end here today
as a great example

672
00:28:50,895 --> 00:28:53,732
of the power of individuals
banding together

673
00:28:53,732 --> 00:28:56,735
to demand solutions
for our neighborhoods

674
00:28:56,935 --> 00:28:59,938
compact, complex problems.

675
00:29:01,005 --> 00:29:02,874
We'd like you
all this coalition here

676
00:29:02,874 --> 00:29:04,976
to please consider
joining our union

677
00:29:04,976 --> 00:29:05,744
in advocating

678
00:29:05,744 --> 00:29:08,747
for the neighborhood
around 12th and Jackson.

679
00:29:10,014 --> 00:29:12,383
A concerted public advocacy

680
00:29:12,383 --> 00:29:15,453
for restoring their safe
access to public

681
00:29:15,453 --> 00:29:18,723
transit is long overdue
and should be a right.

682
00:29:18,757 --> 00:29:20,125
Thank you.

683
00:29:20,291 --> 00:29:23,595
(applause and cheering)

684
00:29:25,029 --> 00:29:25,630
-Hello

685
00:29:25,630 --> 00:29:27,966
transit riders.

686
00:29:27,966 --> 00:29:29,400
(applause and cheering)

687
00:29:29,801 --> 00:29:31,069
I'm going to give it up
to the amazing

688
00:29:31,069 --> 00:29:33,304
crowd over here
for turning out today.

689
00:29:33,304 --> 00:29:34,773
Thank you for being here
and thank you

690
00:29:34,773 --> 00:29:37,142
for your continued advocacy.

691
00:29:37,142 --> 00:29:37,675
Hi, everyone.

692
00:29:37,675 --> 00:29:39,544
My name is Alexis Mercedes
Rink.

693
00:29:39,544 --> 00:29:40,845
I am your Seattle City

694
00:29:40,845 --> 00:29:42,981
councilmember representing
the Office of Position

695
00:29:42,981 --> 00:29:44,983
eight, or as we call it,
the People's Office,

696
00:29:44,983 --> 00:29:47,886
but also your only car free
council member

697
00:29:47,886 --> 00:29:50,889
proudly representing the 20%
of Seattle households

698
00:29:51,089 --> 00:29:52,524
who do not own a car.

699
00:29:52,624 --> 00:29:54,025
(applause and cheering)

700
00:29:54,292 --> 00:29:57,428
And I could not be more
excited to be here today.

701
00:29:57,428 --> 00:29:58,363
I almost can't believe it.

702
00:29:58,363 --> 00:30:00,231
Can we give it up again
for the incredible folks

703
00:30:00,231 --> 00:30:01,533
that are a part
of this effort today?

704
00:30:01,533 --> 00:30:02,934
Thank you, Mayor Wilson.

705
00:30:02,934 --> 00:30:03,768
Thank you SDOT,

706
00:30:03,768 --> 00:30:06,771
all of our advocates,
our union partners.

707
00:30:07,005 --> 00:30:09,541
Busses are the backbone
of Seattle's

708
00:30:09,541 --> 00:30:11,042
transportation system.

709
00:30:11,042 --> 00:30:12,443
They connect
our neighborhoods.

710
00:30:12,443 --> 00:30:14,212
They get people to work
and school.

711
00:30:14,212 --> 00:30:17,148
They reduce traffic
congestion, cut emissions,

712
00:30:17,148 --> 00:30:19,317
and are the most affordable
way for thousands

713
00:30:19,317 --> 00:30:21,786
of our neighbors
to get around town.

714
00:30:21,786 --> 00:30:24,389
Busses
are how the waitress working

715
00:30:24,389 --> 00:30:27,392
and getting off a double
shift gets home safe.

716
00:30:27,492 --> 00:30:28,960
Busses are how the home

717
00:30:28,960 --> 00:30:31,963
health worker gets to her
client on time,

718
00:30:31,996 --> 00:30:33,231
how the kid gets to school

719
00:30:33,231 --> 00:30:35,066
without asking anyone
for a ride.

720
00:30:35,066 --> 00:30:36,835
That's
who we're talking about.

721
00:30:36,835 --> 00:30:39,470
That's who we're here
for today.

722
00:30:39,470 --> 00:30:41,606
Busses
aren't just transportation.

723
00:30:41,606 --> 00:30:44,709
They're climate action
and community connection.

724
00:30:44,909 --> 00:30:47,045
And when our buses work
well,

725
00:30:47,045 --> 00:30:48,847
our entire
city works better.

726
00:30:50,148 --> 00:30:51,616
And last October,

727
00:30:51,616 --> 00:30:54,619
me and many of the partners
here before you today

728
00:30:54,786 --> 00:30:58,022
joined together
to save a bus lane

729
00:30:58,022 --> 00:31:00,992
serving the route to.

730
00:31:01,025 --> 00:31:02,627
(applause and cheering)

731
00:31:03,161 --> 00:31:05,263
And so it's a little surreal
and exciting for me

732
00:31:05,263 --> 00:31:06,931
to think about
how just a few months ago

733
00:31:06,931 --> 00:31:09,901
we were joining together
to just protect a bus lane.

734
00:31:09,901 --> 00:31:12,103
And now here we are
a few months later

735
00:31:12,103 --> 00:31:14,405
now announcing
an expansion to them.

736
00:31:14,405 --> 00:31:15,940
That is an exciting
development.

737
00:31:15,940 --> 00:31:16,608
What a difference

738
00:31:16,608 --> 00:31:19,744
some leadership changes
can make in this moment.

739
00:31:20,979 --> 00:31:23,982
And so

740
00:31:24,482 --> 00:31:25,650
when we join together,

741
00:31:25,650 --> 00:31:28,386
we announce the Better
Bus Lanes campaign.

742
00:31:28,386 --> 00:31:29,787
And one of the top
priorities

743
00:31:29,787 --> 00:31:30,121
and that

744
00:31:30,121 --> 00:31:33,758
initiative was to add bus
priority lanes on Denny Way

745
00:31:33,992 --> 00:31:37,395
to make the infamous late
bus, the great bus.

746
00:31:37,962 --> 00:31:42,367
And in that announcement,
we also announced a action

747
00:31:42,367 --> 00:31:43,935
to bring before council

748
00:31:43,935 --> 00:31:45,303
the budget action,
as mentioned

749
00:31:45,303 --> 00:31:48,239
by my colleague,
Councilmember Saka,

750
00:31:48,239 --> 00:31:51,242
to direct SDOT to study

751
00:31:51,242 --> 00:31:53,912
this effort of putting bus
lanes on Denny Way.

752
00:31:53,912 --> 00:31:54,946
And that budget action

753
00:31:54,946 --> 00:31:56,681
was unanimously
approved by council.

754
00:31:56,681 --> 00:31:58,082
And I want to thank
my Council colleagues

755
00:31:58,082 --> 00:31:59,984
for similarly
seeing the importance

756
00:31:59,984 --> 00:32:00,652
of studying this

757
00:32:00,652 --> 00:32:02,220
and moving forward
on making the late

758
00:32:02,220 --> 00:32:04,589
bus the great bus,
because for too long

759
00:32:04,589 --> 00:32:07,625
the city has neglected
the writers of Route 8,

760
00:32:07,759 --> 00:32:10,128
one of our only East-West
bus routes, connecting

761
00:32:10,128 --> 00:32:12,263
some of our most vibrant
neighborhoods.

762
00:32:12,263 --> 00:32:15,300
The riders of Route 8
have been patient

763
00:32:15,700 --> 00:32:17,135
too patient,

764
00:32:17,135 --> 00:32:19,437
and this East-West corridor
that connects Capitol

765
00:32:19,437 --> 00:32:21,306
Hill, the Central District
to Uptown,

766
00:32:21,306 --> 00:32:24,108
it's been stuck in traffic.
We can do better.

767
00:32:24,108 --> 00:32:25,376
We must do better.

768
00:32:25,376 --> 00:32:26,611
And today we're taking that

769
00:32:26,611 --> 00:32:28,780
first step together
and doing better.

770
00:32:28,780 --> 00:32:30,415
And here's the best part.

771
00:32:30,415 --> 00:32:33,651
Bus lanes are a smart,
affordable investment.

772
00:32:33,818 --> 00:32:36,387
They're cheap, proven
and effective

773
00:32:36,387 --> 00:32:37,622
for a fraction of the cost

774
00:32:37,622 --> 00:32:39,257
of our other infrastructure
projects.

775
00:32:39,257 --> 00:32:40,258
We have the power

776
00:32:40,258 --> 00:32:43,594
to transform how
our busiest routes perform.

777
00:32:44,162 --> 00:32:45,930
And our city is growing.

778
00:32:45,930 --> 00:32:49,500
Our population has hit over
800,000 people.

779
00:32:49,667 --> 00:32:53,037
We've actually added 80,000
people in recent years,

780
00:32:53,071 --> 00:32:57,375
80,000 new neighbors, but
only 3000 additional cars.

781
00:32:57,575 --> 00:33:00,044
(applause and cheering)

782
00:33:00,945 --> 00:33:01,713
People.

783
00:33:01,713 --> 00:33:03,281
People
are choosing to live here

784
00:33:03,281 --> 00:33:06,718
in our city and choosing
not to drive.

785
00:33:07,185 --> 00:33:10,188
The least we can do
is make that choice work.

786
00:33:13,558 --> 00:33:15,093
This is about more than bus
lanes.

787
00:33:15,093 --> 00:33:16,894
This is about the city
that we're building

788
00:33:16,894 --> 00:33:19,230
together. A city
that works for everyone.

789
00:33:19,230 --> 00:33:21,299
A city
that delivers on the basics.

790
00:33:21,299 --> 00:33:23,835
A city that takes
climate action seriously.

791
00:33:23,835 --> 00:33:26,637
And a city
that puts people first.

792
00:33:26,637 --> 00:33:27,538
So thank you again

793
00:33:27,538 --> 00:33:30,141
to SDOT and the mayor's office
for moving swiftly

794
00:33:30,141 --> 00:33:32,610
and showing
leadership on this issue.

795
00:33:32,610 --> 00:33:33,911
Thank you to our advocates.

796
00:33:33,911 --> 00:33:35,713
I know Seattle Streets Alliance, 

797
00:33:35,713 --> 00:33:37,081
Transit Riders Union,

798
00:33:37,081 --> 00:33:39,584
Transportation Choices
Coalition, Fix the L8

799
00:33:39,584 --> 00:33:42,286
for your tireless advocacy
on this work.

800
00:33:42,286 --> 00:33:44,322
Thank you to ATU Local 587

801
00:33:44,322 --> 00:33:46,958
Our bus drivers who get us
where we need to go.

802
00:33:46,958 --> 00:33:49,360
And thank you
to every single person

803
00:33:49,360 --> 00:33:52,864
who rides transit
and our bus riders.

804
00:33:53,464 --> 00:33:56,267
Now, let's
paint the town red.

805
00:33:56,267 --> 00:33:56,701
Thanks!

806
00:33:56,768 --> 00:34:01,139
(applause and cheering)