Update following car hitting Metro bus on Jan. 24

UPDATE (2/1/24, 3:22 p.m.): The bus was safely and successfully moved. The Seattle Department of Transportation has reopened the street and Route 14 is back on its regular route.

On Jan. 24, a King County Metro bus and the space leased by community organization Skate Like a Girl were damaged. A car hit the bus and caused a collision with a building near the intersection of 16th Ave S. and S. Jackson St. Most importantly, everyone is safe and there were no injuries reported at the scene. This includes our bus operator and 25 riders, pedestrians, program participants and the driver of the vehicle that caused the collision.

During the past week, Metro has been in frequent contact with the building’s owner and Skate Like a Girl. Metro has been communicating with the building’s owner to coordinate the safe removal of our bus from the scene of the collision. We learned that, even prior to the incident, the tenant—Skate Like a Girl—was set to vacate in three months as the building’s owner is redeveloping the property.

But while Skate Like a Girl’s need for a new permanent home pre-dates the collision, we want to support the organization and its mission. As such, Metro and King County staff are talking with Skate Like a Girl and exploring whether we can help meet their near-term needs.

In coordination with the building’s owner, Metro plans to remove the bus today (Feb. 1). We’ll be conducting an engineering assessment, making temporary repairs to the building and removing the bus. In the interests of safety, the Seattle Department of Transportation will close the street.

During the closure, Route 14 will be re-routed in both directions off of S. Jackson St. between 12th Ave. S. and 23rd Ave. S. Trips will instead travel via 12th Ave. S., E. Yesler Way and 23rd Ave. S in both directions. (Visit kingcounty.gov/metro/alerts to view and sign up for Metro Transit Alerts.)

While there is still work ahead, we appreciate the kind words offered—especially to our bus operator—and continue to seek ways to support our community.