The A Line will have 50 bus stops along its 11-mile route, mostly in northbound/southbound pairs. There will be three basic types of stop with different levels of amenities.
Seventeen will be standard stops, which will have a bench, RapidRide marker, and a light to signal drivers if you’re waiting at the stop after dark. In addition, those that currently have regular bus shelters will have small RapidRide shelters.
Six of the stops will be enhanced stops, with the same amenities as the standard stops plus pedestrian lighting, bike racks, trash cans, and small shelters with interior lighting.
The remaining 27 stops will be RapidRide stations, which—where space allows*—will have all the amenities listed above plus large shelters with interior lighting, signs with real-time bus arrival information, stand-alone ORCA fare card readers, and news vending boxes.
The decision about a stop’s type is based on how many passengers board there each day. Stops with the most boardings—and those that are paired with them in the opposite direction—will be stations. Stops with fewer boardings will be enhanced stops, and those with the least boardings will be standard stops.
*Note: In a couple of station locations, Metro has not been able to secure enough space to install a RapidRide shelter. But all RapidRide stations will have real-time arrival signs and fare card readers.
1. How about some kind of schedule, instead of “every 10 minutes” or “every 15 minutes.”
If I need to catch a northbound bus a from the Federal Way Transit Center at 10PM to get to work on time, will there be one? The schedule is unclear about this point.
2. How come there is no northbound stop on Pac Highway at 182nd St? This is the main pedestrian entrance to the airport.
It is over a mile from one end of the airport to the other. It is a 20 minute walk from the light rail station to A concourse.
The stop at 180th requires you to backtrack; you must walk two blocks south to 182nd, then two blocks north along the airport drive. Half of this walk could be eliminated by putting a stop at 182nd.
Metro really needs a northbound stop at 182nd St.
3. Why on earth is the airport not listed as a time checkpoint?