Seattle Metro passengers experienced two separate stabbing incidents within a seven-day period this month, intensifying concerns about public transit security as violent crime on buses continues rising.
The first attack occurred September 8 when a 63-year-old passenger was stabbed while riding downtown near Third Avenue and Pike Street. Witnesses described the assault as sudden and unprovoked, with the suspect escaping before police arrival. The victim received hospital treatment and is expected to recover.
Two days later, on September 10 evening, another stabbing unfolded during an altercation on a Metro bus near Seventh Avenue and Denny Way. Officers tracked a blood trail to a nearby apartment building, where they arrested a 35-year-old suspect. The victim sustained multiple stab wounds and was transported to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.
These incidents follow a July stabbing in Burien that seriously injured a teenager, establishing a pattern of knife violence affecting Seattle-area transit users over recent months.
King County Metro data released earlier this year documented 16 passenger assaults and five worker assaults through May 2025, already exceeding previous annual totals. Sound Transit reported additional assault incidents and weapons threats across the regional system.
County officials and the Amalgamated Transit Union responded by establishing the Regional Transit Safety Task Force in March. The group recommended increased police presence, enhanced driver safety barriers, and millions in additional security funding.
Metro officials indicate safety improvements are being implemented, though critics argue reform implementation lags behind violence escalation rates.
The psychological impact on daily commuters has become significant. Regular transit users express growing anxiety about routine travel, with many questioning their personal safety during basic transportation needs.
Transit authorities face mounting pressure to accelerate security enhancements before public confidence in Metro services deteriorates further. The frequency of recent violent incidents suggests immediate intervention may be necessary to restore rider trust.
Current safety measures include increased patrol presence at high-risk locations and coordination between Metro security and Seattle Police Department. However, the enclosed nature of bus environments creates unique vulnerability that traditional policing methods struggle to address comprehensively.
Regional leaders must balance accessibility requirements with security needs while maintaining affordable public transportation for Seattle-area residents who depend on Metro services for employment, education, and essential activities.
The challenge extends beyond immediate safety concerns to broader questions about how urban transit systems can maintain public trust while serving diverse populations in complex social environments.
