Coming this fall: New RapidRide G Line and more Metro bus service
King County Metro is increasing transit service this fall, including adding over 3,700 new bus trips each week, launching the RapidRide G Line in Seattle, connecting buses to new Sound Transit light rail stations, and expanding Metro Flex to Northshore.
Starting Sept. 14, King County Metro is expanding evening and weekend transit service and launching its eighth RapidRide – the G Line – which will provide fast and frequent service through downtown Seattle, First Hill, Capitol Hill, the Central District, and Madison Valley.
The RapidRide G Line project and Sound Transit’s Link 1 Line expansion north to four new stations represent more than $3.1 billion in public transportation investments. Along with enhanced bus service upgrades, these new services will strengthen rider connections and expand the transit network.
“I’m pleased to announce expanded bus service across the region, including the new RapidRide G Line from Madison Valley to downtown Seattle,” said County Executive Dow Constantine. “With the continuous improvement and expansion of our integrated transit network we are delivering on our commitment of frequent, safe, reliable transportation options for everyone.”
Metro is increasing the number of weekday bus trips by nearly 5%, providing 11,235 daily bus trips starting in mid-September. There will also be 8% more bus trips offered on weekends – climbing to 8,241 on Saturdays and 7,649 on Sundays.
“Seattle has an outstanding public transit system which is about to get even better with new travel options and more reliable service,” said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. “Seattle voters helped make these upcoming enhancements possible, including the new Rapid Ride G funded by the Levy to Move Seattle and new Metro Flex service in South Park and Delridge thanks to the Seattle Transit Measure.”
RapidRide G Line: Service every six minutes most of the day Monday-Saturday, with extended night service
The new RapidRide line will offer around-the-clock service, with buses arriving as frequently as every six minutes during most of the day Monday through Saturday.
The RapidRide G Line – Madison Street project includes funding from the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and the voter-approved Move Seattle Levy. Additional funding was provided by the Federal Transit Administration, Sound Transit, King County Metro, and the state legislature. Funds from the voter-approved Seattle Transit Measure also support Metro bus service on select routes in Seattle.
In partnership with Metro, the City of Seattle built key features for the RapidRide G Line to enhance safety, including:
- 8 miles of red bus lanes,
- 36 intersections with upgraded traffic signals and new center boarding platforms for easy all-door boarding on both sides of the bus, and
- Approximately 50 blocks of improved sidewalks and 25 new ADA-accessible curb ramps.
As part of the launch of RapidRide G Line, routes 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 47, 49, and 60 will see changes and improvements requested by the community. Metro and SDOT worked closely to prioritize equity by supporting underserved communities. The Seattle Transit Measure funding was reinvested in the Madison Street area and Lynnwood Link Connections mobility projects. The fall 2024 service change includes Seattle Transit Measure investments.
“Ridership is climbing and we’re adding more transit service on Sept. 14 to meet that demand,” said King County Metro General Manager Michelle Allison. “The launch of the RapidRide G Line, more than 3,700 additional bus trips each week, and new connections to the fast-expanding Link light rail network are fantastic news for our riders and our region. These changes are the result of trust we built with our riders, listening carefully as they guided us on what service they want and need. We’re grateful for their partnership, and to the hundreds of thousands of people who take Metro every day.”
Lynnwood Link Connections expands bus-train travel for riders, neighborhoods
Riders from north Seattle, Shoreline, and Snohomish County will have new Link 1 Line service starting Aug. 30 when Sound Transit extends light rail service 8.5 miles between Northgate and Lynnwood, opening four new stations. Metro will upgrade and integrate new bus service, adding three new bus routes, revising nine routes, and replacing 10 routes. The new network will include east-west connections to new Link 1 Line stations and expanded evening and weekend service.
Metro worked with riders and community, including the Lynnwood Link Mobility Board to guide and develop these updates. Riders have consistently benefited from integrated bus and rail network extensions, providing Metro customers with more frequent and reliable transit connections across the region.
Metro Flex on-demand service coming to Northshore
Metro is also introducing a new, on-demand Metro Flex service area in Northshore, serving riders in Lake Forest Park, north Kenmore, Brier, and southeast Mountlake Terrace. Service begins on Monday, Sept. 16, and will connect riders to the Sound Transit Link 1 Line service at the new Mountlake Terrace Station, along with community destinations, schools, and other locations. Service operates weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and can be booked using the Metro Flex app or by calling 206-258-7739. The fare for Metro Flex is the same as a Metro bus ride.
Northshore is the ninth area Metro Flex will serve. The Seattle Transit Measure-funded Delridge and South Park Metro Flex service started on July 22 with daily service between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Questions? Meet Metro staff at community events
To help riders prepare for these changes, Metro is launching a broad customer information campaign.
The fall 2024 service change web page is available in English, 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese), Русский (Russian), Español (Spanish) and Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese). Additional languages are available by using an online translation tool.
Rider alert posters will be placed onboard buses and at major transit hubs directing customers to the website for more information and Metro staff will be at community events, bus stops, and transit centers leading up to the service change to provide information and answer questions.
Metro’s customer information office can answer questions from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at 206-553-3000. Also, Metro’s Trip Planner will be updated before Sept. 14 so riders can plan future travel.
Riders will see Metro staff at select events, bus stops and transit centers leading up to the service change to provide information and answer questions.
- Aug. 3: Lake City Summerfest and Parade, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Aug. 7: Kenmore National Night Out
- Aug. 14: Kenmore Farmer’s Market 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Aug. 17: Celebrate Shoreline, noon to 6 p.m.
- Aug. 18: Capitol Hill Farmers Market, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Aug. 24: Shoreline Farmer’s Market, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Sept. 1: Lake Forest Park Farmer’s Market, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Sept. 5: Lake City Farmers Market, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sept. 7: U District Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Sept. 15: Capitol Hill Farmers Market, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Sept. 23: Seattle Central College, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Coming soon: September webinars to answer rider questions
QUOTES
“This enhanced system brings new options for transit riders in north King County. We’ve added more east-west routes and additional connections to our new light rail service. I am especially excited about the new metro flex service I was able to secure for neighborhoods in Lake Forest Park and Kenmore that will provide residents door-to-door, on-demand service. This is a great time to ride Metro and I encourage everyone to hop aboard!” – King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski
“The launch of the RapidRide G Line will be a game-changer for the neighborhood, helping residents move swiftly from downtown and the Water Taxi, all the way through Capitol Hill and First Hill without needing a schedule. I am also thrilled that residents of the Summit neighborhood will also see restored service with this new change.” – King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda
“The Fall 2024 Service Change will improve reliability and help Metro deliver high-quality transit throughout the region. As the opening of the RapidRide G Line shows, we have the potential to deliver safe, reliable, and comfortable public transportation for residents of King County. I am grateful for Metro’s work in keeping our region connected, and I am dedicated to improving and expanding public transit for all throughout our county.” – King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay
“Working with King County Metro and other partners, the Link 1 Line extension to Lynnwood will fully integrate into an expanded regional transit system, creating more opportunities and a greener future for all of us who live and work in the Puget Sound area.” – Sound Transit Interim CEO Goran Sparrman
“It’s an exciting time for transit in the Seattle area, with new and enhanced services commencing this fall. I’m looking forward to trying all the new route options and connections.” – Seattle Department of Transportation Director Greg Spotts
RELEVANT LINKS
- King County Metro service change
- Sound Transit Link 1 Line expansion
Cancelling Bus20 with no replacement for the south half, west of I-5, through Licton Springs, Green Lake & East Wallingford will seriously harm hundreds of students and school staff (North Seattle College, UW, preschools, private schools), workers dependent on bus commuting, seniors and disabled persons. Please save bus service for these neighborhoods.
Where’s new route 72, 76, 77, 318,324,334,336 I think the news is messed up.
I’m also wondering where the 72 and 77 are. Those other routes are not in the Lynnwood Link restructured network.
All,
Here is some information to help answer your questions.
Routes 46 (not 76), 318, 324, 334 and 336 were new concept routes in Phase 2 that did not make the final cut in Phase 3 or the final network
These other changes are planned for upcoming service changes, following street improvements.
Route 72: Implement new Route 72 upon implementation of Route 522 Express realignment from Roosevelt to 148th Station which will occur when Link 2 Line in operation across Lake Washington between Downtown Seattle and Bellevue, and construction along 145th St is substantially complete.
Route 77: Implement new Route 77 upon implementation of Route 522 Express realignment from Roosevelt to 148th Station, and upon the opening of 130th St Station on the Link 1 Line and substantial completion of street improvement projects on N 130th St and NE 125th St.
–Jeff Switzer, King County Metro
0 eastside routes getting improvement based on the service change list.
Lynnwood Link doesn’t serve the Eastside.
Western Burien could use more bus service too. We have none on the weekends!
The seniors here would appreciate it too.