Seattle Transit Measure (STM)

Investing in people, expanding opportunity

Seattle Transit Measure (STM) is a 6-year, voter-approved measure funded by a 0.15% sales tax. The STM generates over $50 million annually until early 2027 to fund transit investments.

The Seattle Transit Measure (STM) is more than a funding source—it’s a community commitment. Thanks to Seattle voters and taxpayers, the STM invests in local bus and streetcar service to make public transportation better, more reliable, and more accessible for everyone in our city.

Through the STM, we’ve been able to:

Bring more bus service to more people—especially in neighborhoods that have historically been underserved, making it easier to get to work, school, healthcare, and daily essentials.
Put ORCA cards into the hands of thousands of low-income riders, helping families and residents save money while staying connected to the opportunities our city has to offer.
Help young people and aging adults feel confident navigating transit, with education programs that build independence and support lifelong transit use.
Invest in safer, more efficient streets and sidewalks for riders, from new bus lane upgrades to better access at stops and stations to clearing bottlenecks where buses get stuck in traffic.
Stay flexible in times of need, responding to major events like the West Seattle Bridge closure and the pandemic with quick solutions that kept people moving.
Keep the Seattle Streetcar running, providing a key connection in our South Lake Union and Capitol Hill, First Hill, and the Chinatown-International District.