Metro is making changes in September that will result in a more-efficient transit system overall. But financial resources are tight, and in order to add service where it’s most needed, we have to take it away from routes that aren’t used as much. Unfortunately, this means that some riders will have to change the way they travel—either going further to reach a bus or maybe even finding an alternative to transit.
If your bus service is going away, we encourage you to check Metro’s travel options page for a list of resources you might want to consider. If you and some of your neighbors would like to form (or join) a carpool or vanpool for commuting, look under “RideShare” for tools that can help. Or maybe you can drive to a park-and-ride to reach bus service, or ride a bike for part of your commute and then load it on a bus for the rest of the trip.
If you have any questions about the different options, be sure to reach out to the travel options program managers—we’re here to help!
I’m amazed that you acknowledge that so many people will now be without bus service, but think it will be so easy to replace the buses. In my neighborhood, one bus is being split into 3 buses, but all with very short routes, some route areas are served by 5 buses now, others areas are no longer served, stops are being elimiated. My estimate is that my commute to Redmond will now be over 2 hours each way as I transfer from bus to bus, plus I have to walk an additional 10 blocks. Maybe that’s not a problem in the summer, but no job is worth that in 6 months of dark and rainy weather.
This is the most radical and anti-community change Metro has done since the “hub” system back in the 1990s, which made people take 2-3 buses instead of 1-2–so many people had such long and convoluted commutes that those that could started driving, those without cars had to quit jobs. After disrupting tens of thousands of lives and jobs, Metro changed the buses back.
I will be looking to see what savings there are–since Metro is basically booting entire neighborhoods off the bus, I imagine ridership will go down again. But I’m sure there will be lots of savings–I’ll just have Metro buy me and my neighbors a $50,000 van for carpooling–I’m sure that program saves tons of $$. Of course that doesn’t help the elderly neighbors who moved to the neighborhood so they had convenient buses since they don’t drive. But Seattle is only a city for young, rich people right??? King County is definitely helping the developers to drive the elderly, handicapped and regular transit riders out of the city, but creating the same awful type of limited transit system as those in the East Coast and Midwest cities so many people escaped for a better life.
I have heard the Route 34 Express will be discontinued. It’s always packed, so I find it hard to believe it will be discontinued. Can you confirm this for me?
Hi Daniel – Routes 34 and 39 will be replaced in September with the new Route 50. This new route will provide similar coverage in the greater Seward Park neighborhood and riders traveling toward downtown will be able to connect with Link light Rail at the Othello and Columbia City Stations. Route 50 will also provide a new direct connection between Southeast Seattle, SODO and West Seattle. Here’s a link to more information (click on link to Rte 50 in table of contents): http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/~/media/transportation/kcdot/MetroTransit/HaveASay/201209P5/ServiceChangeOrdinance_adopted.ashx
You mention that financial resources are tight, so I’m confused then how metro will go about enforcing fares on rapid ride buses. Passengers can enter at any door, so drivers will never ask for fare payment, and if a fare enforcement officer (which I have never seen once while riding the A line) asks for proof of payment, all one has to say is they paid cash and didn’t get a transfer. A large percentage of riders that I see board the A line at Tukwila never tap a card, and never pay a fare, and it will not take long before all rapid ride buses are treated as free buses, unless metro starts requiring either a tapped orca or some sort of receipt if paying with cash. Has there been any discussion at metro about any of this?
Are there any changes to route 373 this September???
Thanks
Hi Susan – At this point in time, there are no planned changes to Route 373 as part of the Sept. service change. Thanks!
I am looking to see if route 316 will continue as is or if any changes will be made. I dont see any info on the website
thanks
Hi Ken – At this point in time, there are no planned changes to Route 316 as part of the Sept. service change. Thanks!
Nothing shows the changes here. It seems like you would have to know that they are happening. I am especially interested in the ones that Metro is making under “administrative changes.”
Hi Joanna – Here’s a link to the list of administrative changes, which are posted on the ‘Have a say’ site. http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/~/media/transportation/kcdot/MetroTransit/HaveASay/201209P4/Administrative_changes.ashx
I’m a little confused. I’m looking for fall changes to the 120, and I see on one page that it now serves Westwood Village, a few time changes, but that’s it. Then there is a map showing that the bus now terminates somewhere near SODO? Which is correct?
Also, is there a bus that goes from West Seattle to the Beacon Hill rail station planned?
Thanks!
Hi Andy – The Route 120 will be serving Westwood Village starting Sept. 29. (See: http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/~/media/transportation/kcdot/MetroTransit/HaveASay/201209P4/Area10_WestSeattle_info.ashx). There will also be a new Route 50 that serves Alki, Admiral District, North Delridge, SODO station, VA Medical Center, Beacon Hill (along Columbia Way), Columbia City, Seward Park, and Othello Station. Hope that helps!