It was anticipated that the King County Council on Monday would enact a two-year $20 Congestion Reduction Charge and avert a 17 percent cut of Metro bus service starting in 2012. All those who license vehicles in the county would pay the extra fee.

The new fee was to be enacted by councilmanic action; the council chose that route rather than sending the issue to voters.

“This agreement creates value for drivers who pay the fee, and provides an incentive for them to give the bus a try,” County Executive Dow Constantine said.

The County Council was set to consider amendments to the proposed Congestion Reduction Charge Monday. Under the proposed legislation, King County Metro Transit would:

• provide eight bus tickets worth up to $24 for each car tab renewal.

• phase out the downtown Seattle Ride Free Area in October 2012.

• increase the pool of funds that provides sharply discounted bus tickets to human service and homeless programs.

the new charge would take effect six months after being signed into law.