Transit glorious

Skyrocketing gasoline prices, more transit options and a customer-service sensibility gave King County Metro Transit and Sound Transit a glorious 2007.

So here is a message of support for two agencies starting to click: Don't blow it. Complacency is a killer. Every new rider is a quality-assurance pop quiz. Buses and trains long available are newly appreciated as the cost of commuting soars and transit agencies get smarter about the options they provide.

Daily boarding figures are up, but consider another revealing number. The Metro Online Web site had 7.3 million visits in 2007. The number of people checking fares, routes and connections was up 10 percent over 2006 and 34 percent higher than 2005. Keep it all simple to navigate and use.

Even as more riders use passes and ticket books, farebox cash set a record in 2007 of $26.3 million deposited.

For Sound Transit, overall growth was six times the national average. Ridership on Tacoma light rail, commuter rail and express buses was up 12.3 percent. Sounder commuter rail enjoyed a telling response when two round-trip trains were added to Tacoma and one to Everett. Offer what riders want and some abandon their cars.

Metro Transit is trolling for new riders with proposed new and improved service in the Kent East Hill area and East King County, with proposed direct service between North Bend and Seattle.

A loyalty test began March 1 with the first bump in adult fares in seven years. Next July, fares for youth, seniors and the disabled will go up 25 cents. Provide riders with reliable service to places they want to go, and they will pay for it. None of this is car versus transit. Success means workable, affordable options.