(Editor’s Note: For customers whose route remains suspended or canceled, our transit planners have developed a list of travel alternatives.)

Service improvements for south King County; other adjustments and reductions across the county

To help customers prepare for upcoming improvements, adjustments, and reductions, King County Metro has posted bus route changes and service updates that go into effect Sept. 19. An overview is on Metro’s service change webpage.

Metro is encouraging riders to plan ahead. Despite real and projected revenue reductions, Metro is committed to providing a reliable all-day service network for those who rely most on transit. However, the agency must also continue to suspend some commuter service and move to reduce service at night and on weekends. Metro also has announced new innovations including safety partitions and efforts to distribute masks on our busiest routes.

What’s available?

Riders can access PDFs of future timetables on the service change webpage or use Metro’s Trip Planner with a date of Sept. 19 or later to see their upcoming travel options. Metro also has identified travel alternatives for riders whose previous routes are suspended or canceled. Website-wide updates to online timetables will happen the evening of Sept. 18. Riders also can call customer service for trip planning assistance at 206-553-3000 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.

What’s new in south King County?

There is good news for riders in several south King County communities. Starting Sept. 19, residents will receive a new powerhouse route, Route 160, which connects Renton, Kent, and Auburn. This route will convert into the RapidRide I line in a few years as further improvements are made along the transit corridor.

Also, in response to community input and concerns, Metro is adding more evening and weekend service for shift workers, better east-west connections and integration with Sounder Commuter Rail, and—where possible—faster travel times and direct service to key destinations.

All-day network continues to operate across the county

Metro currently carries about 147,000 riders each weekday, about 40% compared to last year, and we continue to prioritize transit service for those who rely on us most. We’re also providing additional service to help mitigate the effects of the extended closure of the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge.

Unfortunately, service revisions and reductions are necessary as Metro responds to lower ridership demand and reduced revenue. While some weekday peak-period commuter routes will be restored, many peak routes across the county will remain suspended as many people continue to telework.

Additionally, night, evening, and weekend bus service in Seattle funded by the Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD) will be reduced at the direction of the City of Seattle due to the loss of vehicle license fee funding and the expiration of the STBD at the end of the year.

With the Sept. 19 service change, Metro will fully operate 55 routes at pre-COVID service levels, have reduced service on 70 routes, and continue to fully suspend service on 55 routes – many of which are peak commuter routes that previously served many riders who now are teleworking.

Metro will operate more than 10,800 trips each weekday, nearly 7,100 trips on Saturdays, and more than 6,400 trips on Sundays.

Routes operating at full service levels (55 routes, primarily all-day routes)

  • RapidRide A, B and F lines, 21X, 24, 101, 107, 111, 128, 131, 132, 153, 156, 182, 187, 193, 224, 230, 231, 239, 257, 303, 304, 309, 311, 330, 346, 347, 348, 631 (Burien Community Shuttle), 635 (Des Moines Community Shuttle), 773, 775, 901, 903, 907, 930; Sammamish Community Ride, Juanita Community Ride
  • Routes operating at full service levels that were restructured through the Renton, Kent, and Auburn Area Mobility Plan: Routes 102, 105, 148, 150, 160 (new), 161 (new), 162 (new), 165 (new), 168, 181, 183, 184 (new), 906, 914, 915, 917

Routes operating with reduced service levels (70 routes), including long-term reductions due to the loss of Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD) funding:

  • RapidRide C, D and E lines, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 21, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 36, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 48, 49, 50, 55, 56, 57, 60, 62, 64, 65, 67, 70, 73, 74, 75, 106, 118, 119, 120, 124, 125, 204, 208, 212, 218, 221, 225, 226, 240, 241, 245, 250, 255, 269, 271, 301, 331, 345, 372, 373, Via to Transit

Routes suspended/not operating (55 routes)

  • 5X, 9, 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, 29, 37, 47, 63, 71, 76, 77, 78, 113, 114, 116, 118X, 119X, 121, 122, 123, 143, 154, 157, 167, 177, 178, 179, 190, 197, 200, 214, 216, 217, 219, 232, 237, 246, 249, 252, 268, 308, 312, 316, 342, 355, 628 (Snoqualmie Community Shuttle), 630 (Mercer Island Community Shuttle), 931, Black Diamond/Enumclaw Community Ride, Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Community Ride, Normandy Park Community Ride, Bothell/Woodinville Community Ride

Routes deleted (13 routes)