'Seattle News Weekly': Self-driving cars, Sound Transit's $30B budget gap
'Seattle News Weekly S1E4': Waymo coming to Seattle, Sound Transit facing $30B budget gap
On the fourth episode of the "Seattle News Weekly" podcast, FOX 13 Seattle Anchors Bill Wixey, Brian MacMillan, Erin Mayovsky and Adam Gehrke dive into Waymo coming to Seattle and the pros and cons that come with the self-driving cars. They also go over Sound Transit's $30 billion budget gap and how local leaders, including Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, are looking to find a solution.
SEATTLE - Transportation is a hot topic this week on the "Seattle News Weekly" podcast.
From the announcement that a driverless taxi service will soon roll into Seattle, to concerns over Lime scooter safety, to Sound Transit's massive budget deficit, members of the Good Day Seattle team — Bill Wixey, Brian MacMillan, Erin Mayovsky and Adam Gehrke — break it all down in episode four.
Waymo rolls into Seattle
This week's podcast opens with talk of Waymo, the fully autonomous ride-hailing service, making its way to Seattle. The service uses driverless cars equipped with exterior cameras to navigate. While no launch date has been announced, testing could begin in Seattle soon.
Wixey, MacMillan, Mayovsky and Gehrke shared concerns about bringing the service to Seattle, noting how the city’s challenging geography differs from Waymo’s current locations, like Phoenix. They pointed out that Seattle’s steep hills and "no right turn on red" intersections could create challenges for driverless cars. Gehrke added that Phoenix’s simple grid layout is far easier to navigate compared to Seattle’s complex roadways.
Another concern they raised was reports of passengers becoming trapped inside driverless vehicles when the doors failed to unlock.
Lime scooters, user safety
Lime scooters have surged in popularity around Seattle, but their rise has sparked serious safety concerns discussed on the podcast. While Lime bike riders typically stick to bike lanes, there’s currently no helmet requirement — raising the question: how can rider safety be better protected?
Sound Transit's $30B budget deficit
Switching gears, the anchors discussed growing frustrations over Sound Transit's massive $30 billion budget deficit and concerns that some projects may never be completed.
They pointed to inflation and supply chain issues as major factors driving the shortfall. Gehrke also shared historical context, tracing the region's public transportation challenges back to the late 1800s.
The group discussed voters' frustration with transit systems, noting how residents repeatedly approve changes and expansions, only to feel like progress stalls or resets. They wrapped up the podcast by highlighting how popular Sound Transit remains for getting to Seattle sporting events and airport travel.
Tune in every Thursday for a new episode of "Seattle News Weekly" to stay informed on the stories shaping our region.
"Seattle News Weekly" is a podcast that goes in depth and gives context to the stories that matter to the western Washington community. Check back every Thursday for a new episode on your favorite podcast platform, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, Stitcher, Amazon Music, TuneIn and Audible or YouTube.
The Source: Information in this story came from original FOX 13 Seattle reporting.
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