Fifteen transit agencies across Washington state have endorsed the Week Without Driving, signing on to a letter where they encourage their agency staff, board and ridership to take the Week Without Driving challenge to better understand what it is like to not have the option to be able to drive yourself where you want to go.
The letter states: “Public transit and paratransit provide a key link for many in our state who cannot drive, and as transit agencies, we are proud to provide this critical community access…Doing so will not only increase our empathy, but will also help us build a more accessible and equitable transportation system for the future.”
Endorsing transit providers include Ben Franklin Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, Garfield County Transportation Authority, InterCity Transit, Island Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit, Mason Transit Authority, Medstar Transportation (Selah and Yakima paratransit), Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, Twin Transit, Valley Transit, and Whatcom Transportation Authority.
Next Monday, September 19 kicks off Disability Mobility Initiative’s 2022 Week Without Driving Challenge. Registration has more than doubled since last year’s event, with participation from elected leaders, transportation professionals and transit agencies across the state.
“If you can drive, and can afford a car, you may not understand what it’s like to rely on walking, rolling, transit and asking or paying for rides. But for nearly a quarter of the people in our state – people with disabilities, young people, seniors and people who can’t afford cars or gas, this is our every day,” said Anna Zivarts, Director of the Disability Mobility Initiative.
This year, the Week Without Driving received an official proclamation from Governor Jay Inslee and Washington State Department of Transportation is also inviting all staff to participate in the challenge, and through the transportation demand management program for state workers coordinated by the Thurston Regional Planning Council, state employees will be invited to take the #WeekWithoutDriving challenge as well. In this video, elected leaders who participated last year encouraged others to join in 2022.
The challenge is co-sponsored by Amazon, Microsoft, BERK, PRR and Fleming Law. Co-hosts include: The Arc of Washington & the Arc of Snohomish County, All Aboard Washington, APIC Spokane, Bothellites for People Oriented Places, Cascade Bicycle Club, Center for Independence, Climate Solutions, Complete Streets Bellevue, Commute Seattle, CTANW, Downtown on the Go, Forevergreen Trails, Feet First, Front and Centered, Futurewise, Greater Spokane Progress, Homes 4 WA, Hopelink, Kirkland Greenways, Leafline Trails Coalition, MLK Labor, Move Redmond, National Federation of the Blind of Washington State, People First of Washington & People First of Snohomish County, People for People, Seattle Neighborhood Greenways, Seattle Subway, Share the Cities, Sierra Club, Sightline, Snohomish County Public Utility District, Snohomish County Transportation Coalition, Snoqualmie Valley Transit, Thurston Regional Planning Council, Transit Riders Union, Transportation Choices Coalition, Twin Star Credit Union, The Urbanist, Walk Roll Pierce County, Washington Council of the Blind, WA Sr. Lobby, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, Whatcom Smart Trips, 350 Seattle.