Summer has a couple of hot days left, with the National Weather Service predicting temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s starting Wednesday and warm temperatures lasting through the weekend. Here’s information you can use to stay safe as you travel on Metro during this last blast of summer heat.
It’s literally cool to ride transit
All Metro coaches have air conditioning, which helps provide a refuge from the heat for much of the day while you travel. During the hottest parts of the day, even the temperatures inside buses can climb. We encourage you to travel during cooler parts of the day and skip unnecessary trips. If you are riding, the best way to help keep the buses cool is to keep the windows on the coaches closed to increase the efficiency of the AC.
Shade and water
Hot weather means that buses may be behind schedule. Be sure to pack a water bottle, stay out of the direct sun as best as you can, and be prepared for possible delays.
Tools to help you know before you go
Heat can impact roads and bridges and create potential delays. Using Metro Transit Alerts, you can receive information about disruptions by email or text message. Even if you haven’t signed up for alerts, you can also find the latest alerts for each route on the RSS feeds webpage.
Real-time (while waiting for transit)
Our real-time updates can let you know when a bus trip is operating, when it is due to depart, or if it was canceled due to weather or an operator shortage:
- Next Departures information is available at Trip Planner
(https://tripplanner.kingcounty.gov/) Trip planner is also a great tool to use in locating routes to cooling centers in your community. - Text for Departures is available by texting your bus stop number to 62550, and the next bus trips will be displayed with an “s” for scheduled or “canceled.”
- Follow @KCMetroAlertsand @KingCountyMetro on Twitter
Forecasts, health tips and helping your pets
Don’t forget, the National Weather Service Seattle Forecast Office is a great resource for alerts on conditions as well as heat safety tips and resources.
Public Health—Seattle and King County is a valuable resource for ways to protect yourself during extreme heat:
The furry members of your family need protection too! Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) reminds you to keep your pets out of cars when it’s hot.