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Metro Transit to launch second largest service change ever Sept. 29

At Metro's Customer Service Center, Transit Information Distributor Cathy Collyer racks the first of the new orange timetables that will take effect Sept. 29. Metro is distributing 4.4 million paper timetables, 80,000 Rider Alert brochures and 100,000 system maps, installing new schedules at 4,700 bus stops, and changing nearly 1,600 bus stop signs as part of the fall service change.

King County Metro Transit will launch a major service expansion starting Saturday, Sept. 29. It will be the second largest service change in Metro history.

"We are fulfilling the promise we made to the voters who approved a sales tax increase for transit last November," said County Executive Ron Sims. "We promised improved service would be one of the benefits, and we promised continued and new efficiencies in our transit system."

Sims said the county has been working with bus riders, neighborhoods, and local cities for more than a year to develop these service changes. In June, the County Council approved Sims' plan for an additional 124,000 hours of transit service improvements.

"We have several new routes. We have also revised routes to be more convenient and efficient. And we've teamed up with Sound Transit to greatly increase service along some popular corridors," Sims said.

Most of the service changes begin Sept. 29, although some will start next February. The Eastside will get more than half the growth in hours. Here is a quick summary:

East King County

• Provide Eastside residents with more frequent, faster connections within and between local communities.
• Streamline service on State Route 520 and the Interstate 405 corridor.
• Reorganize Interstate 90 service to integrate with Sound Transit's new Regional Express Route 554 connecting Issaquah, Eastgate and Mercer Island to downtown Seattle.
• Provide more direct service to the Overlake employment area for Eastside residents.
• Take riders to more places in downtown Bellevue, where the Bellevue Transit Center is undergoing expansion to give bus riders more service with better connections.
• Restore Saturday service to Snoqualmie and North Bend.

South King County

• Open the new Renton Transit Center, which will be served by 17 routes and feature improved customer facilities.
• Increase evening and weekend service in the Renton Highlands.
• Restore Saturday service to Vashon Island.
• Add trips to decrease rush-hour overcrowding on bus runs throughout south King County.

Seattle and North King County

• Extend trolley service on Beacon Hill by 1.3 miles.
• Add express service in West Seattle.
• Increase evening and weekend service to Seward Park.
• Restore service between Fremont and the Seattle Center.
• Provide new service to Golden Gardens on Route 46.
• Create new connections on Route 302 between Aurora Village and Northgate that absorbs Route 318, which is being discontinued.
• Add rush-hour trips on Route 358 between Seattle and Shoreline via Aurora Avenue.

For more detailed information, check Metro Online or call Metro Rider Information at (206) 553-3000. New orange timetables will be available on Tuesday, Sept. 19, along with "Special Rider Alert" brochures, on buses and at Metro information racks, libraries and work sites.

Related links

Changes in bus service for east King County
Changes in bus service for Seattle/north King County
Changes in bus service for south King County
"Sims' bus service increases adopted," news release, June 11, 2001

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