There may be some sanity in politics after all. A provision by Sen. Patty Murray may let UW, Mariners and Seahawks fans once again get a reasonably priced bus ride to the games.

Murray, chairman of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Committee, has put an item in the final version of the 2010 Senate Transportation Appropriations bill that would restore the ability for King County Metro Transit to provide service to a number of major sporting and special events. The provision would end a ruling by the Bush administration that said such transportation must first be offered to private carriers.

On the face of it, there was nothing wrong with that. However, in practice, private bus companies couldn’t offer the service at a price that the average fan would be willing to pay. As a result, more people had to use their own cars to get to the game,clogging up the roads and increasing pollution.

The final version of the spending bill came out of a conference committee between the Senate and the House and is expected to pass both bodies shortly before being sent to the President for his signature.

As Murray rightly noted, “This rule has gotten between fans and an affordable, convenient way to get to games in our region. We can’t stick fans with steep fares and sub-par service on their way to support our local teams.”

The 2008 Bush rule stated that a public transit agency cannot provide service to games if private charter operators are able to do so. The problem around here is that private charter operators were not able to accommodate handicapped fans, drastically increased fees for service, offered inconvenient and delayed staging, and increased congestion. Not surprisingly, there were lots of complaints over dumping Metro service, both by local sports fans and sports organizations.

Sports leaders have been quick to praise Murray’s efforts. Mariners’ CEO Howard Lincoln said the organization is “very appreciative” of Murray’s efforts. UW Athletic Director Scott Woodward called her efforts in the change “exceptional.”

Murray’s provision in the bill specifically target the issue here in the Puget Sound region, but we doubt this same problem exists elsewhere. Murray says she is intent on addressing this issue on a larger scale as the Senate moves toward reauthorization of a critical surface transportation bill in the coming year.

Good for her.

– Craig Groshart, for the Bellevue Reporter