Key Takeaways

1. In 2012 the total number of public-transit boardings was 220,697,247. By 2023 boardings had fallen to 164,925,647, a 24% drop.
2. Transit agency revenue in 2012 was $2.1 billion. By 2023 it had ballooned to $5.1 billion, an increase of 83% after inflation.
3. In 2012 operating cost per passenger on bus service was $4.74. By 2023 it had risen to $12.17, more than doubling after inflation.
4. The farebox recovery ratio for buses fell from 25% in 2012 to a mere 7% in 2023. The light rail farebox recovery ratio dropped from 25% to 13%.
5. Total annual service hours for Washington State Ferries (WSF) declined from 126,980 in 2012 to 105,456 in 2023, a 17% cut.
6. The number of WSF passenger trips declined from 22 million in 2012 to just 17 million in 2023, a decline of about 23%.
7. Meanwhile, WSF’s cost-per-service-hour rose from $1,810 in 2012 to $2,679 in 2023, an increase of 11% after inflation.
8. The number of boats in service declined. In 2012 WSF had 19 boats in service. In 2023 it had only 17.
9. In 2012 there were 85.5 million daily vehicle miles traveled (VMT) on state highways.4 By 2023 that had increased to 96.3 million.
10. In 2020, there were 164 bridges managed by WSDOT in “poor” condition.8 By 2024, that number had increased to 229.
11. State records show 438 traffic fatalities in 2012, rising to 810 fatalities in 2023, an increase of 85%. This rise in traffic deaths is over five times higher than the state’s 15% increase in population over the same period.
12. The percentage of fatal accidents that involved an impaired driver increased from 46% in 2014 to 51% in 2023.

Introduction

During the past dozen years, the state’s transportation policy has focused on increasing use of public transportation and alternatives to cars, rather than maintaining roads and bridges and increasing system capacity. Contrary to that emphasis, public transit ridership has declined while the number of miles traveled by Washington residents has increased. 

Additionally, Washington’s ferry system has seen a reduction in the number of boats and ridership, while expenses increased faster than inflation.

Finally, the number of traffic fatalities nearly doubled caused by several factors, including an increase in accidents due to impaired driving.

Here is a look at some key performance metrics for Washington’s transportation system.

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