Population growth and rising housing prices are forcing low-income communities and communities of color to move to places further from their places of work, their roots, and to areas that are more affordable but potentially less transit integrated and accessible. Frontline communities, especially low-income communities, rely heavily on public transit and, as they are forced to move further away from urban areas due to rising housing prices, their transportation costs increase because they have less access to frequent and reliable public transit.
An outcome of these patterns is that communities who rely heavily on public transit often are not able to access it close to their homes, especially as they move further from urban centers. The map of transit access in King County from the Metro Mobility Framework indicates that the geographic areas with the greatest need for accessible transit are concentrated in South King County.53 Community members who are displaced because of higher housing prices will need to rely more heavily on transportation, both personal and public, to get to where they live, work, and play.
By partnering with the communities most impacted by displacement, King County is pivoting investments and expanding services to ensure all communities have access to all the quality-of-life benefits, including cleaner air, that a strong public transit system can enable.
What's at stake
The combination of increased transportation cost burden caused by displacement away from urban centers and inequitable access to public transportation creates negative impacts for frontline communities, especially low-income communities and communities of color that live in South King County. These constraints will be made worse as climate impacts, including emergency weather events, are experienced countywide.
Expanding transit accessibility creates opportunities for frontline community members to conveniently use public transit. Enabling people to move around King County regardless of what neighborhood they live in will be integral to advancing climate resilience in frontline communities.
A better outcome
In 2019, King County Metro convened a Mobility Equity Cabinet54 to develop the King County Metro Mobility Framework, which envisions an integrated, innovative, equitable, and sustainable future. In continuing this work, the County can elevate actions to significantly reduce GHG emissions while advancing equitable outcomes by providing mobility where needs are greatest, improving access to public transit to encourage individuals to use transit over single-occupancy vehicles, and ensuring equitable and affordable fares.
What we've done to get here
- Convened a Metro Fares Cabinet made up of community members to co-plan improved reduced fare programs in 2024.
- Integrated the community-co-created Metro Mobility Framework into the 2021–2031 Metro Strategic Plan and implemented Service Guidelines to focus on equitable investments for priority populations.
- Applied a climate justice lens in Metro’s capital planning and design process, and in emergency planning, to address climate resilience.
53 King County Metro, “Mobility Framework Report,” 2019.
54 King County Mobility Equity Cabinet, “Mobility Framework,” 2019.