King County Metro will be hiring back 200 part-time bus operators who were laid off in August following pandemic-related reductions in ridership and revenues.
“We’re very excited to have them back behind the wheel and serving our community,” the regional transit provider wrote in a blog post announcing the operator recall.
King County Metro reports 135 of the 200 that were laid off have indicated a desire to return with a second recall notice scheduled to be sent in May. King County Metro notes it will begin a recruiting, hiring and training process for new part-time operators if needed.
King County Metro increased passenger limits on its vehicles on April 17 following updated state guidance for transit agencies and is providing more than 85 percent of pre-pandemic service levels. Additionally, the King County Metro Water Taxi launched its summer schedule on April 19, which added midday and weekend sailings.
King County Metro March 2021 average weekday ridership remains down more than 41 percent compared to March 2020, but the number is the highest it has been since November 2020.
In February, King County Metro committed to installing mask dispensers on its entire bus fleet by the end of the first quarter or 2021. According to its rider dashboard, King County Metro rider mask usage was 87.3 percent. In addition to requiring the use of masks, King County Metro upgraded its fleet with new air filters that have a minimum of MERV-9 rating.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
