Metro seeking feedback on Route 44 bus stop changes

I am supportive of the stop removals along NW Market Street. In an area that is safe, comfortable, and accessible to walk, I find it surprising that there are many stops only 500-700 feet apart along this segment of the 44; some days it can be a crawl when the bus stops at every stop between 14th Ave and Ballard Ave. The signalized crossings, wide sidewalks, and curb ramps all help to mitigate most negative effects that this speed and reliability improvement would have on people with limited mobility.

@SEO, near Swedish, the proposal from Metro includes keeping the eastbound stop at Tallman and Market, which is on the Swedish campus and closer to the all the buildings than eastbound at 17th. The westbound stop at 20th and Market is also closer to the main enterance, and about the same distance as 17th for the Tallman and Medical Plaza buildings.

Yes, let’s just get rid of ALL the stops, so that no elderly, handicapped or people with small children can take the bus. They’re so annoying. Getting rid of the stop at the hospital on Market is just good sense and will save everyone SO much time. Why can’t all those sick people who want to go to the doctor or to visit people just walk an extra mile or so. Why even have busses? We can all walk to the hospital.

I get that those making comments above like to walk long distances to get to their bus stop, but not everyone has that option. I think it’s ridiculous to get rid of stops then have the busses sit and wait — which is what happened after they got rid of many of the stops for route 18. I don’t see how it encourages people to take the bus if they have to walk an extra 10-15 minutes to catch a bus that goes right by them. And I have NEVER seen the bus stop EVERY block on Market, or anywhere else in King County.

Metro is becoming like the awful bus systems I left back east 25 years ago–what’s the point of a bus system that disenfranchises most of the people?? A bus system that doesn’t stop at hospitals or go to major tourist destinations?

The changes that are coming now require me to walk an extra half mile (I already live about 1/3 mile from the current nearest stop), then transfer at least once to get downtown–it adds about 30 minutes each way to my commute if I’m lucky with transfers, adding minimum of an hour total. Why should I pay 5 bucks a day for commuting 2-1/2 hours a day, when I can drive for so much less and get downtown in 20 minutes? Taking the bus to work will cost me more as monthly parking costs half of the bus pass. I actually love taking the bus and hanging out with people from my neighborhood, have been riding daily in Seattle for over 25 years, but it’s not worth the cost and time now.

Metro did something like this back in the nineties–hub busses–so every one had to take 2 or 3 busses instead of one to get to work–ridership fell by half and they went back to the old efficient system of serving everyone in Seattle and King County–after spending millions to make the changes. I had to quit the job I had in South Seattle because I couldn’t afford to spend 2-3 hours a day commuting each way instead of 1 hour.

I think these extensive changes will end up costing Metro a fortune and screwing many people who depend on the bus to get to work, to go shopping, to go to doctor appointments and more. From what I see, many people will be disenfranchised from the bus. In my neighborhood, many people who work/study at SPU will now have to drive or take 3 busses instead of one–many of them bought houses or rent there because they had easy access to their jobs or studies, but will now have to drive or triple their commute time. How does that serve the public??

I know that the RapidRide B line in Bellevue and Redmond was a huge success, but that’s because it goes to every major neighborhood, shopping centers, downtown Redmond (City Hall, KCLS library), etc. The new RapidRide D on NW 15th goes near few neighborhood centers, few shopping areas, etc, and means that most people have to transfer to get to it–it’s crazy that it doesn’t go through Ballard which is where the highest density is.

I’m sure everyone will flame me as being lazy and tell me that it’s good for the elderly and handicapped to walk more, and longer commutes are terrific for everyone, but I see these changes as anti-social and anti-Seattle.

I also think this is a good idea. Its good that metro is dealing with this issue before we get to the point that SF is right now. They have many buses stop every block. Its better that stop spacing be greater.

This is excellent. Can Metro please close some stops on Leary between 15th and Market, too?

There’s also at least half a dozen stops served by the 5 on Phinney/Greenwood south of 85th St that need to go away.