Executive Zahilay transmits legislation to expand Metro bus service and strengthen Link light rail connections in South King County
Cross posted from Executive News
Today, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay transmitted legislation to the King County Council proposing major updates to Metro bus service across South King County as part of the multi-year South Link Connections project.
The proposal builds on the recent opening of the Kent-Des Moines, Star Lake, and Federal Way Downtown Link light rail stations and would create a more connected, reliable transit network serving Algona, Auburn, Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Normandy Park, Pacific, SeaTac, Tukwila, and nearby unincorporated areas.
If approved, the new service would launch as part of Metro’s August 2026 service change.
With new light rail service now in place, the proposal would align Metro bus routes to better connect riders to Link, expand service throughout the day and week, and reinvest resources into routes that serve the most riders.
“South King County is one of the fastest-growing parts of our region, and we have a responsibility to make sure our transit system keeps pace,” said King County Executive Zahilay. “This proposal reflects the voices of our residents and my administration’s commitment to building a transit network that connects people to opportunity, supports our region’s growth, and makes it easier to get around without a car. By aligning our bus network with light rail and expanding all-day service, we’re delivering the reliable, connected transit system our communities deserve.”
Building a network shaped by community input
The South Link Connections proposal is the result of nearly two years of collaboration, community engagement, and technical analysis in partnership with local governments, Sound Transit, and regional transit providers. Community feedback consistently called for:
- Better early morning and late-night service
- More frequent weekend service
- Faster east-west travel
- Stronger connections to Link light rail
This proposal is designed to deliver on those priorities while modernizing the transit network to reflect how people travel today. The plan reinvests service from select peak-only commuter routes into more frequent, all-day, all-week service across South King County, with more trips earlier in the morning, later at night, and throughout the day. Highlights include:
More frequent service
More frequent service throughout the week would significantly increase service across the region, including:
- 51% more weekday trips
- 57% more Saturday trips
- Nearly twice as many Sunday trips
Stronger connections to light rail
New and improved bus connections to:
- Kent-Des Moines Station
- Star Lake Station
- Federal Way Downtown Station
These connections would make it easier for riders to access Link light rail, ST Express buses, Pierce Transit services, and the broader regional transit network.
East-West mobility
The proposal strengthens east-west routes — a top community priority — including frequent service connecting:
- Highline College, Kent Station, and Green River College
- Twin Lakes Park & Ride, Federal Way Downtown Station, and Auburn Station
Weekend and evening service
New and expanded service would improve access outside traditional commute hours, including:
- New weekend service in Burien
- New Sunday service between Kent, Star Lake and Federal Way
- Earlier, later and more frequent service across multiple key routes
- Restoration of peak-hour trips between Burien Transit Center and downtown Seattle
New on-demand transit pilots
Two new Metro Flex pilot zones providing weekday service from 5:30 AM to 7:30 PM in Federal Way and Auburn.
“Year after year we have invested in and improved access to the regional transit network, and community voices are the center of our effort to improve bus service,” King County Metro General Manager Michelle Allison said. “Riders want more frequent east-west bus service, better service on nights and weekends, and better connections to 1 Line stations. This project delivers more service for those who depend on transit.”
The King County Council will now review and consider the Executive’s legislation in the coming months, including committee review and opportunities for public input. If approved by the Council, Metro will begin implementing the new service, with changes scheduled to take effect as part of Metro’s August 2026 service change.
“This plan champions a transit system designed to serve everyone, everywhere, every day, not just peak-hour commuters,” wrote the community-based Mobility Board in support of the proposed bus changes. “By reinvesting resources from low-productivity or duplicative peak-only routes into all-day, all-week service, the proposal expands access to frequent transit, improves connections to new Link stations, and delivers tangible benefits to equity priority populations across the South King County subarea.”
For more information on the South Link Connections Project, visit the project webpage.
I think the smartest way is for the Route 162 is to turn into a all-day route that will only go to kent Des Moines station instead of downtown with the good service hours with all day all week service both direction by the way you’re about a gift can’t writers a faster trip versus the route 165 using lakeside and veterans drive. Route 177 should still remain the same except add Star lake and Kent Des Moines flyer stop and both directions and all trips by the way route 177 is replacing hours for the delete Route 162 I-5 and downtown version so riders will still have a express service between downtown and Kent Des Moines park and ride
“By reinvesting resources from low-productivity or duplicative peak-only routes into all-day, all-week service”… That’s not in ANY way acceptable to me! Unless your threshold for “low-productivity” is actually low, but make sure the community is okay with reductions, or you’re going to lose riders! Just seeing that as a consideration makes me really angry! If a route already only operates during peak-hours, DO NOT remove any more service from it!!! Find other underperforming routes that operate more frequently first.