Should Transit Riders Sit on Transit Agency Boards?

The Washington State legislature is considering a bill that would give public transit riders direct representation on state transit agency boards, according to a recent article from the Urbanist. The proposal would allow, but not require, around two-thirds of transit agencies in the state to appoint two designated rider representatives to their boards, one who “relies on public transit as their primary mode of mobility” and the other “who represents an organization that serves transit-dependent individuals,” writes Ryan Packer. The bill also would require public transit boards to hold their meetings in transit-accessible locations.

Public transit agency boards make decisions that impact the daily lives of thousands of transit riders. But “[m]any on these boards of authority have never experienced mass transit in a personal way, making decisions without understanding the ramifications to the ridership in their daily lives in the communities they serve,” Judy Jones, who serves on the Skagit Transit Advisory Committee, told the Washington State House Transportation Committee.

Official representatives of the transit agencies impacted aren’t sold on the proposal. They say they already engage riders and gather public feedback on potential changes that would impact them. Advocates, however, feel having rider representation on the board would ensure “voices that are often minimized get uplifted instead,” reports Packer.