(EDITOR’S NOTE 3:30 p.m. Monday: Updated below to list affected routes.)
Get ready and have a plan: Transit riders should prepare for significant traffic delays and rerouted buses in downtown Seattle on Tuesday, May 1, especially during the afternoon and evening commute, as dozens of King County Metro and Sound Transit bus routes will be temporarily rerouted or intermittently delayed during May Day events. Seattle First Hill streetcar will have limited service during a permitted march, and South Lake Union streetcar service also might be affected on May 1 as a result of planned and unplanned demonstrations.
As city streets temporarily close as a result of planned and unplanned May Day activities, certain bus routes will be rerouted – or face delays starting midday and potentially well into the evening commute. Also, a 7:10 p.m. Mariners game will draw fans to Safeco Field.
- Bus reroutes are expected around the Annual May Day March for Workers and Immigrant Rights (Judkins Park to the intersection of Second Avenue and Spring Street) expected to occur after 3:30 p.m. Routes affected: During this event, Metro routes 12, 111, 114, 212, 214, 216, 218, 219 and Sound Transit Express routes 522 and 554 will be rerouted to nearby streets or be temporarily halted in place during the demonstration. Per the Seattle Department of Transportation, the route of the march is permitted but is subject to change. Metro and Sound Transit plan to reroute bus routes that normally travel on South Jackson Street, Fourth and Second avenues, as well as other transit service traveling along downtown Seattle streets. Once confirmed and finalized, planned reroutes will be posted online and sent to customers via Transit Alerts.
- Bus rolling slowdowns or temporary short-term reroutes will be implemented as needed for all other expected and unexpected demonstrations, marches and rallies, managed by Metro using information from the Seattle Police Department, Seattle Emergency Operations Center and the Metro Transit Control Center.
- First Hill Streetcar service is expected to be disrupted during the day, and no service will be available on South Jackson Street from about 3-5 p.m. As a result, the streetcar will not serve Pioneer Square or the International District during that time, and will operate between Capitol Hill and the intersection of 14th Avenue South and South Washington Street.
- South Lake Union Streetcar service might also be disrupted in the event of unplanned demonstrations in the afternoon and evening.
- Link light rail service will operate regular three-car trains during the day. Sound Transit staff will monitor crowd levels, and additional trains will be available on stand-by as needed.
What do riders need to know?
- All bus service that travels on surface streets near or through the downtown Seattle area might be subject to delays or intermittent reroutes during and after Monday afternoon’s events. Bus riders are advised to plan ahead for longer trips, revise travel plans if necessary and allow plenty of travel time.
- Though we’ll try to keep bus service moving, if demonstrations temporarily block a street, buses will have to wait until traffic begins moving again. Safety is Metro’s top priority.
- If gridlock happens, predicted arrival times on apps and real-time signs will not be accurate in estimating when buses will be at stops.
Tools for riders
- Sign up for Transit Alerts to receive transit information via text and email
- Follow Twitter for Seattle DOT, Seattle Police, Metro Transit and Sound Transit
- Follow local media reports for the latest information
- Visit Metro’s Service Advisories page for details about planned reroutes. Transit reroute start and end times are subject to change, so watch for updates via Transit Alerts.
- Seattle DOT On the Move Blog
- Visit Metro’s Online Regional Trip Planner to find out how to get to and from events and locations.