A bus driving on the road

What is the Transit Development Plan (TDP)?

The TDP forecasts Community Transit’s finances and outlines the services we plan to provide. The TDP:

  • Summarizes accomplishments from the past calendar year
  • Documents agency goals and strategies for the current and following five years
  • Identifies needed resources to accomplish those goals
  • Provides a financial forecast

The TDP is required by Washington State, Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 35.58.2795. Community Transit updates the plan annually and submits to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

2024-2029 Transit Development Plan

The 2024-2029 TDP is a historic time for Snohomish County transit riders, with Link light rail and an improved and expanded local bus network soon arriving. The next six years focus on aligning and connecting bus service with Link light rail as four new stations open in August 2024, two in Snohomish County. The Lynnwood City Center station will be a hub for frequent bus and train connections so that people can access regional destinations. Significant changes to the bus network will occur on September 14, shortly after the launch of the Lynnwood Link extension. More changes include expanded local service, new express routes, and microtransit pilots in Arlington, Darrington, and Lake Stevens.

The Board of Directors adopted Community Transit’s 2024-2029 Transit Development Plan on Aug. 1, 2024.

Draft 2024-2029 Transit Development Plan document cover

Each year, Community Transit updates the six-year TDP. The 2024-2029 Transit Development Plan is focused on delivering excellent service and building the future with expanded transit options, including:

Light rail connections, frequent bus service – Snohomish County riders will have easy connections between light rail, Swift bus rapid transit (BRT) service and more frequent local bus service in their community. Community Transit’s service plan for 2024 and beyond contains 35 routes with approximately 480,000 annual service hours, representing 32% more service than in 2023.

  • Expanding the Swift bus rapid transit (BRT) network – 2024 saw the opening of Swift Orange Line and the Swift Blue Line extension to Shoreline in time for the opening of Link light rail. Planning is underway for the future Swift Gold Line from Everett to Marysville and Arlington. The Swift Green Line extension will create direct connections to downtown Bothell and UW Bothell/Cascadia College.
  • Investing in Innovative Services – The success of Zip Alderwood Shuttle, Community Transit’s microtransit, on-demand rideshare service paved the way for similar pilot programs that are slated to start later this year in Arlington, Darrington and Lake Stevens. Other communities in Snohomish County will continue to be assessed for future deployments. The cost for these services is the same as a standard bus fare.
  • Testing zero emissions buses – Soon Community Transit riders will see two new buses with a bold, eye-catching design on the road: a battery electric bus and a hydrogen fuel cell electric bus will go into testing later this year. This will help determine a long-term strategy as the agency transitions its fleet to zero emissions vehicles.