A proposed amendment to Seattle’s 2026 Transit Measure would expand funding for accessibility and safety improvements at transit stops, sidewalks and pedestrian connections, with supporters saying the changes would make public transportation more accessible for people with disabilities, older adults and others who rely on transit.
The amendment, introduced by Seattle City Councilmember Debora Juarez, was presented Monday during a meeting of the City Council’s Select Committee on the Seattle Transportation Benefit District as councilmembers continue reviewing the proposed renewal of the Seattle Transit Measure before it goes before voters this fall.
The current Seattle Transit Measure, approved by voters in 2020, expires in April 2027. City leaders are now considering a 10-year renewal package that would generate an estimated $138 million annually through a proposed increase in the city’s sales tax. According to the proposal released by Mayor Katie Wilson, most of the funding would support additional bus service, while also expanding access to free ORCA transit cards and investing in transit infrastructure.
Juarez’s proposal, known as Amendment 20, would broaden the definition of eligible infrastructure maintenance and capital improvements, allowing transit funding to be used for a wider range of accessibility projects.
Those projects could include Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades, improvements to transit stops, pedestrian safety enhancements, accessible pathways connecting neighborhoods to transit, and improved wayfinding for riders with visual impairments and other disabilities.
“As someone who has lived with multiple sclerosis and faced mobility challenges for over 25 years, independent mobility is critical,” Juarez said. “We must ensure our capital investments actively break down barriers to support the safety and dignity of riders who rely on this system every single day.”
Juarez said the amendment was developed after receiving recommendations from the Seattle Disability Commission and the Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board.
According to the City Council, approximately 86% of the proposed $1.4 billion transit package is currently dedicated to transit service, while less than 4% is allocated specifically for transit infrastructure serving people with disabilities, older adults and individuals with vision impairments.
Supporters say expanding the allowable uses of those infrastructure funds would help ensure transit investments improve not only bus service, but also the safety and accessibility of the spaces riders use to reach buses and other forms of public transportation.
The proposed Seattle Transit Measure renewal represents one of the city’s largest transportation funding packages in recent years. In addition to preserving existing transit service, the proposal would fund additional bus trips, improve transit reliability and expand programs that provide free ORCA transit passes to qualifying residents.
The Select Committee will hold a public hearing on the proposal July 13, with opportunities for both remote and in-person public comment. Remote testimony is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m., while in-person public comment will begin at 5 p.m.
Councilmembers are expected to vote on the proposed amendments and the final Seattle Transit Measure package on July 16. If approved, the measure would appear on the November 2026 general election ballot for Seattle voters.
If approved by voters, the renewed Seattle Transit Measure would continue funding transit investments after the current measure expires in April 2027.
