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King County Metro will activate its Emergency Snow Network Friday, Dec. 23

Metro bus crosses through a downtown Seattle intersection

King County Metro transit operates through heavy snow in Seattle on Dec 20, 2022.

(Editor’s note: All Metro service remains temporarily suspended Friday, Dec. 23, due to icy roadway conditions. Read more in our Friday, Dec. 23 suspended service post and watch for updates.)

With ongoing freezing temperatures and a widespread freezing rainstorm forecast for the region, King County Executive Dow Constantine directed Metro to shift bus service to the Emergency Snow Network starting Friday, Dec. 23. The move focuses service on 65 core bus routes operating on snow routes that the City of Seattle and other jurisdictions prioritize for snow and ice removal. The Emergency Snow Network (ESN) will be effective at 4 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, until 4 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 24.

This approach delivers transit service for the most riders and on streets and highways that are more reliably treated during adverse weather. Customers will be able to board service on 65 core bus routes and shuttles prioritizing higher ridership routes, avoiding steep hills and primarily serving key arterials and transit centers. The routes were developed in coordination and collaboration with jurisdictions, including the City of Seattle.

Metro will continue to operate all service on snow routes Thursday, Dec. 22, until switching to the ESN early Friday morning.

Routes operating as part of the ESN will serve core centers around King County, via RapidRide A, B, C, D, E and F lines, routes 3, 4 (between Seattle Center and Downtown Seattle only), 5, 7,  10, 21 (local service only), 24, 27 (snow shuttle only), 31, 32, 36, 40, 44, 45, 48, 60, 62, 65, 67, 70, 75, 90 (downtown Seattle/First Hill snow shuttle) 101, 105, 106 (between Renton Transit Center and Mount Baker Transit Center only), 120, 124, 128, 131, 132, 148, 150, 160, 161, 165, 168, 181, 184, 230, 231, 239, 245, 250, 255, 271 (between University of Washington and Eastgate only), 331, 345, 348, 372, 522, 545, 550, 554, 631 (if road conditions allow), 773/775 (when Water Taxi is running), 903, 906, 907 and 930.

Alternatives for routes, services and programs fully suspended during the Emergency Snow Network (ESN)

(Emergency Snow Network Map PDF)

Metro staff will be monitoring the performance of this network and making adjustments as needed to improve operations. Customers in outlying areas and neighborhoods should prepare for reduced or temporarily unavailable bus service due to inclement weather, difficult travel conditions and topography.

“Due to ongoing frigid temperatures, the forecast for freezing rain and limited bus fleet availability, we are shifting to the Emergency Snow Network on Friday morning. This positions us to safely serve customers on a core system for those who need transit most,” said King County Metro General Manager Terry White.

Metro has operated on snow routes and reduced service levels since Tuesday morning, Dec. 20. Forecasts predict temperatures will increase and roadway conditions will improve Friday afternoon and evening, and Metro intends to restore most routes Saturday morning, Dec. 24. A list of temporarily suspended routes and snow routes will be updated on Metro’s service advisories page on Saturday, and riders are encouraged to check their route before traveling.

Vehicle maintenance crews continue their hard work

Metro vehicle maintenance staff have been juggling chaining operations and troubleshooting damaged buses during the recent snowstorms. The weather pattern is expected to break later on Friday and through the weekend, hopefully allowing crews to again focus solely on bus repairs to support ongoing transit operations.

Emergency Snow Network – other services

What riders should know

We encourage people to avoid traveling if at all possible. Temperatures are expected to rise above freezing, however wind chill will be an ongoing concern for customers. Cold weather shelter locations also are available through the King County Regional Homelessness Authority.

While fare collection will continue, fare enforcement is suspended when the Emergency Snow Network is activated. The ability to pay fare is not a barrier to traveling safely during dangerous winter weather.

Riders who intend to use Metro’s services should visit the Emergency Snow Network webpage to view details about routes in operation and to identify their options.

Posted timetables on Metro’s Schedules and Maps page are a good point of reference for the 65 ESN routes that are operating, but unforeseen roadway and weather conditions may result in delays or unplanned reroutes.

Metro’s Pass Sales Office and Lost & Found Office will be closed Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. We will reopen on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022.

Customers should be aware that Trip Planner and third-party apps will not reflect ESN service and will not be accurate for planning itineraries on ESN days. However, once intending riders know which active ESN route they want to use, other Trip Planner features, such as maps, bus stop locations and timetables for ESN routes are valid. Trip Planner and mapping/transit apps are still accurate for planning trips or getting schedules for regular service days.

Before traveling

Riders are encouraged to:

Real-time information on the road

Alternatives for routes, services and programs fully suspended during the Emergency Snow Network (ESN)

Routes, services, and programs suspended during ESN: 1, 2, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, 28, 29, 33, 43, 49, 50, 55, 56, 57, 64, 73, 79, 102, 107, 111, 113, 114, 118, 118, 121, 125, 156, 162, 167, 177, 182, 183, 190, 193, 204, 208, 212, 214, 216, 217, 218, 221, 225, 226, 232, 237, 240, 241, 246, 249, 257, 268, 269, 301, 302, 303, 304, 311, 320, 322, 330, 342, 346, 347, 542, 556, 566, 630, 635, 901, 914, 915, 917, Community Ride, Community Van, Pingo, Via to Transit.

Seattle/Shoreline (canceled routes)

Route 1

Route 2

Route 8

Route 9

Route 11

Route 12

Route 13

Route 14

Route 15

Route 16

Route 17

Route 18

Route 20

Route 22

Route 28

Route 29

Route 33

Route 43

Route 49

Route 50

Route 55

Route 56

Route 57

Route 64

Route 73

Route 79

Route 125

Route 301

Route 302

Route 303

Route 304

Route 320

Route 322

Route 330

Route 342

Route 346

Route 347

East King County (canceled routes)

Route 204

Route 208

Route 212

Route 214

Route 216

Route 217

Route 218

Route 221

Route 224

Route 225

Route 226

Route 232

Route 237

Route 240

Route 241

 Route 246

Route 249

Route 257

Route 268

Route 269

Route 311

Route 342

ST Express Route 542

ST Express Route 556

ST Express Route 566

Mercer Island Community Shuttle (Route 630)

Sammamish Community Ride

Juanita Area Community Ride

South King County (canceled routes)

Route 102

Route 107

Route 111

Route 113

Route 114

Route 118

Route 119

Route 121

Route 125

Route 156

Route 162

Route 167

Route 177

Route 182

Route 183

Route 190

Route 193

Route 631

Route 635

Route 901

Route 914

Route 915

Route 917

Via to Transit

Ride Pingo to Transit

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