King County Metro announces major service expansion across King County
Have questions? Watch our online information sessions.
Nine new routes, more than 3,000 additional weekly trips and stronger Link light rail connections begin Aug. 29.
Summary
Executive Girmay Zahilay today announced that Metro will expand bus service across King County starting Aug. 29, including nine new routes, more than 3,000 additional bus trips each week, and better connections to new South King County Link light rail stations. The changes also include the launch of Metro Flex, an on-demand transit service, in Auburn and Federal Way beginning Aug. 31.
News
KING COUNTY, Wash. — Starting Aug. 29, riders across King County will see one of King County Metro’s largest service expansions in recent years, including nine new bus routes and more than 3,000 additional bus trips each week. In response to feedback from riders, Metro is boosting frequency and expanding service earlier in the morning, later in the evening and on weekends, making transit more convenient, reliable and better connected to the region’s expanding Link light rail network.
The most significant improvements are in South King County, where Metro is making major investments to improve all-day and weekend service while strengthening connections to new Sound Transit Link light rail stations. Additional service improvements also are planned on dozens of routes serving North King County and the Eastside.
“This marks the single largest bus service investment in South King County in a generation,” Executive Zahilay said. “These improvements mean shorter waits, stronger connections and more opportunities for people to get where they need to go whether that’s work, school, childcare or home. Better transit helps build stronger communities in King County.”
Metro adjusts bus schedules twice a year to respond to ridership demand, traffic conditions, and the region’s expanding transit network. This fall’s service change was shaped by public feedback and redesigns that reduce duplication with light rail while improving connections where riders need them most. Riders can preview updated maps and schedules in English, Simplified Chinese, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese.
“Across King County, Metro bus routes connect communities to dozens of light rail stations, extending the reach of public transportation farther than ever before,” Metro General Manager Michelle Allison said. “When buses link up with light rail, it doesn’t just make trips easier—it helps connect people. Strong transit connections bring neighborhoods closer, make everyday travel simpler, and give everyone a clear path to reach the places they want to go.”
“Expanding transit access is essential to improving mobility in South King County,” said King County Councilmember Steffanie Fain, District 5. “These changes will provide more frequent service and strengthen connections to Link light rail, giving more residents reliable travel options. I’ll continue working to improve our transit network across District 5, especially east-west connections.”
Better South King County bus service
South King County will see the largest service improvements in Metro’s Aug. 29 service change, with more frequent trips, expanded service hours, new weekend service and stronger connections to Link light rail and RapidRide.
Highlights include (PDF of map):
- New Route 164 will provide frequent service between Des Moines, Kent, and Auburn, replacing some of the deleted Route 165.
- New Route 166 will provide peak-frequent service between Burien and Kent Des Moines Station, replacing some of the deleted Route 165.
- New Route 902 will replace DART Route 901 and a DART service in Federal Way.
- Route 121 will return to operation with new AM and PM peak trips.
- RapidRide A Line will increase overnight frequency to every 30 minutes.
- Route 156 will have added trips to increase frequency and run earlier on weekends.
- Route 168 will have added weekday peak-service trips to provide 15-minute service.
- Route 181 will have extended hours to midnight and increase weekday frequency.
- Route 182 will expand and improve weekday and weekend service and connect with Route 187.
- Route 183 will extend Saturday hours and add Sunday service.
- Route 187 will have earlier and later trips, more trips, and provide two-way service on Hoyt Road Southwest.
- Route 631 will have new weekend service.
- Route 903 will increase span and frequency and connect with Route 902.
- Route 987 southbound will extend to Westwood Village.
Metro Flex expanding in South King County
Metro also will pilot Metro Flex service in Auburn and Federal Way, providing on-demand rides that connect people with neighborhoods, transit hubs and other local destinations. Using the Metro Flex app, riders can book rides on accessible minivans, including wheelchair accessible vehicles and vans with bike racks, for the same fare as a Metro bus ride. Riders can download the app in the Apple App Store, Google Play Store or call 206-258-7739 to book a ride when service launches on Monday, Aug. 31.
Eastside connections to 2 Line stations
Eastside service improvements will connect communities from Bellevue to the Snoqualmie Valley with 2 Line stations and Link light rail service across Lake Washington. The changes add more frequent service, expand operating hours and improve connections throughout the Eastside transit network.
Eastside network highlights include (PDF of map):
- New Route 215 will provide an all-week connection between North Bend, Snoqualmie, Issaquah and Mercer Island Station.
- New routes 220 and 270 will replace Route 271 to improve speed and reliability between Eastgate, downtown Bellevue and the University District.
- Revised routes 111, 218 and 269 will run more frequently and connect riders to the 2 Line at South Bellevue or Mercer Island stations.
- Routes 111 (between Renton and South Bellevue Station) and 269 (between Sammamish and Mercer Island Station) will expand to all-day, all-week service, with earlier morning trips, later evening service and more frequent buses.
New North King County bus routes, changes, and Seattle upgrades
North King County riders also will receive stronger transit connections to new Link stations, along with improved east-west service informed by community feedback to better connect Lake City across I-5 to Aurora Avenue.
Service improvements and revisions in North King County include (PDF of map):
- New frequent Route 72 and revised Sound Transit Express Route 522 will replace Route 372, connecting riders to Shoreline South/148th Station. Route 72 also provides service directly to the University of Washington Seattle campus.
- New frequent Route 77 is a new east-west route between the U-District, Lake City, Aurora Avenue and Bitter Lake, making connections with Link light rail at Pinehurst, Roosevelt and U District stations, and providing frequent service along Lake City Way.
- Revised Route 65 will serve Northeast 150th and 155th streets with better access to Shorecrest High School.
- Extend Route 331 to serve the University of Washington Bothell campus.
Seattle bus service upgrades
Route 8 in downtown Seattle will have more frequent service as part of Seattle Transit Measure investments. Buses will travel in the new Denny Way bus lanes scheduled to be installed this month. Routes 72, 75 and 77 also will benefit from more frequent service funded by Seattle.
“Frequent all-day service makes Metro buses an irresistibly good way to get around Seattle and helps make living without a car a more realistic and affordable option,” said Seattle Mayor Katie B. Wilson. “This service boost is made possible by the current Seattle Transit Measure which pays for 180,000 bus trips a year. We’re also continuing to build targeted construction projects to reduce transit delays, including the new Denny Way bus lanes opening this month.”
Metro service improvements by the numbers
- Nine new routes: 72, 77, 121, 164, 166, 215, 220, 270, 902
- More frequent service on 13 routes: 8, 75, 111, 156, 168, 181, 182, 183, 187, 218, 269, 903, RapidRide A Line
- Expanded service hours on 10 routes: 111, 156, 181, 182, 183, 187, 218, 269, 631, 903.
- New weekend service on four routes: 111, 183, 269, 631
- More daily trips: 441 more trips each weekday, 400 more trips each Saturday, 507 more trips on Sundays.
- Total daily trips: 12,406 weekday trips; 9,117 Saturday trips; 8,813 Sunday trips.
Have questions? Metro to host online public information sessions
Riders can learn more about the upcoming service changes during Metro’s online information sessions on Aug. 19, 24 and 26. Metro staff will answer questions and provide additional details about the changes.
To request language services or other accommodations, please contact community.relations@kingcounty.gov at least two weeks prior to the meeting.
- Eastside: Watch the Aug. 19 information session.
- North King County: Watch the Aug. 24 information session.
- South King County: Watch the Aug. 26 information session. (En español también).
Sound Transit bus changes
Sound Transit’s fall service change also will begin on Saturday, Aug. 29. Many ST Express bus routes will undergo changes, ranging from discontinued routes to major adjustments and minor service improvements to enhance reliability. Details are posted online.
Relevant links
- Metro service change web pages: English, Simplified Chinese, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese.
- Executive Zahilay transmits legislation to expand Metro bus service and strengthen Link light rail connections in South King County
- Metro Flex on-demand neighborhood transit service
What People are Saying
Transit Advisory Commission volunteer Lin Robinson said the redesigned South King County network will make it easier for riders to connect with Link light rail while expanding access to jobs and destinations throughout the region.
“This is not only about the extension, but also the bus routes that get you to the extension, making people so much more mobile than they ever have been,” Robinson said. “If you are a working mom or dad and need to get to SODO from Auburn, it’s so much easier than it has ever been.”
Karia Wong, Community Impact Director at the Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC), has been an Eastside resident and transit commuter for nearly 30 years. She is excited to see the upcoming service improvements and their potential impact on communities across King County.
“What an exciting moment for King County communities! The launch of new routes and enhancements to existing services will provide better connectivity, more frequent and reliable transit options, and greater mobility for riders throughout the region. Together, these service changes will make it easier for people to reach jobs, schools, healthcare providers and community resources. Reliable and accessible transit is essential to thriving communities, and these investments will create new opportunities and enhance quality of life for riders across King County. We can’t wait to see these improvements launch and experience the positive impact they will have on our communities.”
Lake City Collective Co-Director César García said reliable east-west transit is critical for families who depend on buses to reach groceries, pharmacies and community programs.
“The new Route 77 will connect both communities with east-west service, which is great,” García said. “Now moms with small kids, youth and seniors will be better able to access our programs. As we grow and build a future cultural center in a few years, providing better transit options will be more important for our organization and the communities we serve.”
My comment:
Feel for all of you on the East side and South end. Especially when I see the double buses go by and there’s hardly anyone on them in the off peak hours. Not sure what the deal is and why they continue running those buses instead of minimizing to a single bus – then other populated areas might benefit?
I believe the “transportation employees” (at least Comm Trans, Metro too? If so….) will be having there annual fling of riding the bus for a week in October, they should try it for a month! No car, inclement weather, grocery store, additional travel time, work, life, age….then they might feel where everyone is coming from. If you road the bus when you were 23, forget about it, its a lot different when your 57! Amazing how many inclines there are!
Of course every bus will need to be completely replaced here shortly anyways! Road the 40 – the whole route, lately? Omg! The roads are a horrible mess – makes me feel ill sometimes – all of the screws, nuts, bolts are probably about to fall off all of the buses from the rattling, shaking, jolting, over bumps, divots….etc.
To do, to do……Idk, and I’m glad I don’t have that job! Even with all of that said, I do appreciate that we have buses at all, too! BTO – Taking Care of Business! Lol
How many billions were spent to make transit not just worse but much worse for northeast King County? Calling these changes “improvements” is Orwellian at best and just plain disinformation at worst. King County completely ignored the thousands of comments lodged against the plan to terminate routes 372 and 522. I personally know many people who are planning to ditch transit and return to driving to UW or downtown for their commute. The ridiculous detour across 145th Street to then wait for another ride and then walk 1/2 mile to campus from the U-District/UW stops means that when you would typically be arriving or at least nearing the central campus on route 372, you will instead be about to board your train ride. No thanks. When ST3 was on the ballot nowhere did it say we are going to terminate several bus lines and instead funnel people from a single route commute to two or more legs and wait for a ride two or three times. Again, no thanks. Most of northeast King County would not have supported such a deterioration in service for hugely increased cost. Again, no thanks.
I live in Medina / Hunts Point area.
When 1 Line Link opened up in UW, you cut several local bus to Seattle downtown, told us to take 271 to UW link station, ok, I got it, commute time increased from 1 bus ride to 1 bus + 1 link
Now you cut 271, what ???
You want us to ride 249, take a big detour to 520 yarrow point station, then take 270 or other express bus?
Or 249 -> Bellevue downtown -> 2 Line link -> Seattle?????
Either way, it will be more than 1 hour including the waiting time on each transfer, that’s a huge increase from the original local bus which takes 20min to Seattle downtown.
Besides, the Medina Park & Ride is so small, filled up before 7AM on weekdays, you are removing local buses, push people to highway, without increasing capacity of Park & Ride, that’s ridiculous
Removing 372 completely cuts off the 522 corridor in north King County and the cities and citizens had no say in this. A large majority of riders connect to lake city or all the way to UW, now you want us to transfer across 145th where pedestrian crossings are already an issue, or take the light rail and then walk onto campus adding ~30 min to commutes? Why was there no public buy in or say? UW has pushed back and they pay massive rates for students and employees to commute. The lack of community input is really offputting.
249 -> 2 line is 34 minutes. You’ll just have to time your trip around the half hourly 249. To some degree that’s the tradeoff for living in a rather low density enclave.
OK, I notice 249 is every 30min, that’s bad, 271 used to be every 15min during peak hours.
249 -> 2 line -> Seattle Chinatown area commute time probabaly doesn’t increase too much.
But I need to go to UW or Westlake, it used to be simple 271 ride, then take 1 line for 2 stations if needed.
Now it will be a big detour to go through 249 -> Bellevue downtown -> 2 line -> 8 stations to get to Westlake, that’s too bad
Another option is 249 -> yarrow point high way station -> UW / Westlake, the time increases for longer distance and transfer time.
Or go through Medina park & ride, as I mentioned, it’s impossible to get a spot during weekdays after 7am
271 was every 15 minutes, but that was to connect U district and Bellevue. Medina was just getting scooped up along the way. In fall 2025 all the stops between Bellevue Square Mall and 520 had a combined daily ridership of just 348, counting boarding and alighting passengers. I just can’t agree that 348 riders are enough to justify service every 15 minutes. You might also consider that the 545 runs from the freeway stations direct to downtown Seattle every 10 minutes during peak periods and every 15 during off peak. You can now connect to this bus from the 249 at the yarrow point freeway station. I understand it’s frustrating to lose convenient service, but I’m not sure it’s quite as dire as you are thinking it is.
545 is a great choice if Medina park & ride can increase capacity for Medina / Hunts Points, right now it’s impossible to find a parking spot.
To your point “Medina was just getting scooped up along the way”, 271 from Bellevue downtown to UW are all low desity residential areas, it’s expected to see low passenger numbers. I agree from cost perspecitve 30min makes sense, but not to totally remove the line.
Extremely annoying that these replies go in the wrong places. This was meant to be a reply to Aux‘s comment about hunts point/medina.
They also did literally two years of public outreach for Lynnwood Link Connections between 2022-2024, these last few changes were just delayed for some reason.
Isn’t King County encouraging people to use Metro more? With the changes happening on 8/29/2026, my commute will actually become longer because Bus 111 will now go from Renton to Bellevue, and then from Bellevue to Seattle. This doesn’t seem right and may discourage people from using public transit.
Could you please clarify the reasoning behind this route change or let me know if there are any alternatives?
Around 7 in the morning, the 111 is currently scheduled to take about 50 minutes to go from Jericho and 4th (the second time, after completing the loop) to downtown (I’ve used Westlake for my „downtown“ reference point.) The new 111 will take 31 minutes from the same spot to South Bellevue station. Trains run every 8 minutes during peak hours which means an average wait of 4 minutes. The train takes about 20 minutes from south Bellevue to Westlake. That makes the total trip 5 minutes longer (+/- 4 minutes). The tradeoff is that the new 111 will run all day in both directions, meaning you can now leave for work later than 8 am if you need to, or come home early, or stay in town for dinner, since the last trip will arrive in the Renton highlands at 9, compared to today’s 6:54.
So I guess the schedule change is asking you to sacrifice an average of 10 minutes a day so that your friends and neighbors who don’t have a typical commute can still have access to transit.
WHERE ARE THE SCHEDULES????
I’ve been reading the comments and complaints. Is this service change really so horrible?? Many of you guys know the area better than I do, because I don’t live in the area being restructured. I think replacing a bunch of peak-only routes with new all-day routes is a good thing. Think about it: would you rather have fast single-seat peak-only hour bus service, or all-day routes that serve you to the light rail? Any areas that currently have no bus service outside of peak-hours are underserved. Trust me, I know exactly what it’s like to be in an underserved area. Those areas are what need all-day service, and it looks like this service change is accomplishing that very well!
Why not both?
The 212 is the only option for T-Mobile employees to commute to/from Downtown Seattle without long walks or needing a second mode of transportation. Way faster than taking a bus to the South Bellevue Station and catching the light rail. It’s unbelievable that you are taking away options and forcing everyone to use the light rail without realizing it’s not as convenient as you think. The South Bellevue Station, which is the closest to Factoria, is in the worst possible place; you can’t walk from there, and the connecting 3 buses run every 30 minutes. If you are lucky, you might wait only 15 minutes, but if they are running late, add half an hour to your commute.
I don’t understand why the 77 goes to U District instead of Roosevelt. The 67 already covers that. Lack of layover space at Roosevelt? How about serving Green Lake and laying over on Ravenna Blvd (the 26 used to)?
The continued lack of a single frequent crosstown route on NW/N/NE 145th Street is problematic. Riders are forced to transfer at Shoreline South even if they’re not coming from or going to Link. Either the 72 and 333 should be through-routed, or one of them should extend all the way across (72 to Greenwood Ave or 333 to Lake City Way).
I don’t understand why several Eastside routes go to Mercer Island when they could more efficiently start/end at South Bellevue. Less time, better reliability.
Is there really enough demand for 30 minute night headways on the A Line alongside ST night service on I-5?
From Southeast Bellevue Somerset/Forest Drive neighborhood there is no access to the new light rail without driving to the South Bellevue Park and Ride 4.4 miles away. Our only bus route was just deleted. You actually have to take the freeway to get to the light rail. It’s too bad. There’s no way for us or our kids to get to the light rail or the busy nearby Factoria district without driving. Our teenager won’t even be able to get to high school without being driven due to the bus route being deleted since Bellevue uses metro to provide transportation to high school.
The 77 goes to U district via Roosevelt. It’s not really reasonable to ask people to go all the way down into the tunnel to ride one stop, and the 77 will be interlined with the 75, so it won’t be using layover space in the U district either.
Wasn’t the 246 deleted a whole year ago?
The 77 goes to U district via Roosevelt. It’s not really reasonable to ask people to go all the way down into the tunnel to ride one stop, and the 77 will be interlined with the 75, so it won’t be using layover space in the U district either.
The 45 is currently interlined with the 75, and will be split off on its own now.
I’m sorry you don’t have any bus service. These are the kinds of areas I want to see bus service added to.
From Sou
Whoever made the decision to change 271 is stupid and needs to reconsider their life decisions.
When line 240 was,removed from.Richards Road, it left this high population density area without any reasonable bus service. When it happened I and others were assured the service would be restored a few months later. All those new lines and thousands of rides, as well as RideFlex starting in many places feel like a slap to the face each time I read about it. It is nice to talk about all the improvements, but how about mentioning the cost of removing ALL BUS TRANSPORTATION from high density populatiin areas like Richard Road?! It truly cruel to just liave thes area a public transportation desert! Can’t you provide any regular transportation to this area?
I have registered for the North King County metro meeting. Where do I attend this?
I do not underatand you reply?
Zoom?
To whoever maintain this blog: I ‘m here to learn about the service changes – not to read an article. Need links & maps for each route that is new or has been changed. There’s no point in telling readers “hey your route was changed” but not give specific details. A system map is not helpful.
Nothing for Renton. Still no 102 weekend service or additional runs.
Lakeland South doesn’t have as much micro-transit area as Wearhouser.
The 102 will probably see the gutter soon. They run the buses late every day and will slash the service citing “low ridership”
Ridership is going down because buses are randomly extremely late and infrequent. Your only option is waiting outside in the cold for 30 minutes or longer.
It used to be a highly used route and it really needs service expansion. But they’ll definitely cut it some day, or slowly take away trips. No one will ride the 148 (which is a very slow, empty route mostly used by the homeless who don’t pay) to wait to transfer 15 mins to 101 which doesn’t take the direct route to Seattle.
We also need direct service to Bellevue, or they should learn to create the schedules so that transferring to 560/566 doesn’t mean waiting for 20 mins or longer.
At least Renton Highlands hit the jackpot with the 111. We could use such routes further south as well. East Kent just south of Fairwood and east of Benson is still a complete transit desert despite having a major high school and apartments down to Green River College.
The lower Snoqualmie Valley such as Duvall Incarnation is getting zero high capacity coach service procedurally incorrect as Duvall Incarnation is both in the urban growth boundary UGA in accordance with the Washington State growth management Act
As far as I am aware, Metro does not have a legal requirement to provide service to any specific community in King County. Further, Duvall and Carnation both have urban growth boundaries, but the land between them, and between the Snoqualmie Valley and Redmond, are outside of any urban growth boundary. King County Metro routes are considered “rural” if “at least 35 percent of their route [is] outside the urban growth boundary.” It might be nice to have Weekend Service on the 224, but the Valley Shuttle runs daily.
As far as high capacity service is concerned, why is that a priority? Are the buses currently running at capacity? The ridership dashboard shows not a single trip at 100% capacity, even before the pandemic.
Will we ever get all day service of route 17 restored? I had hoped we’d get it back this time. But I never see any mention of it.
It seems unlikely at this point. Surely it would be nice for some, but even at a 30 minute frequency it would need probably at least four buses to run it, and from a planning perspective it doesn’t make much sense. Nickerson might benefit from having a direct bus to downtown, except that the central part already has the 4 and 13, the west section isn’t too far a walk from the D Line, and the east section can catch the 40 or the 62. Westlake already has service every 10 minutes much of the day with the 40, which also checks off a one seat ride to downtown from downtown Ballard. Much of the ridership that the 32nd Ave section would generate would really be cannibalized ridership from the 40. I would expect a coverage route on 32nd only with the Ballard Link Restructure, if that ever happens.
So glad I have to pay more taxes and fees for my car and driving so more buses can run. Now the bums can really get around.Thanks Katie!
It’s wonderful how our elected officials, as progress as they claim, are doing the exact opposite and gaslighting us in return. “You will eat the bugs, take public transit and own nothing and you will be happy about it.”
Transit is for reducing traffic congestion and improving commute times, as well as enabling more people to travel.
At the moment, our transit systems in WA achieve the latter but not the former. Achieving both does not require taking away ownership or cars. It is about giving options.
162 is going away? the 164 only drops off at the light rail?
Yes, The metroflex in Federal Way is honestly pretty bad because it barely even makes to it to the warehouser exit on SR 18 and that’s basically when wild waves is done like forever.
At least the 162 is being replaced with all-day service.
Yeah, the express route will now just be regular slow service with a bunch of transfers instead of straight through for the convenience of work commuters. Do you not think this through when you type your bullshit?
The 162 isn’t any faster than Sounder except on the luckiest days.
So, Route 111 currently only operates during peak hours, and it’s being converted into all-day service?! That’s what I like to see! I just want that to happen for West Seattle as well when its light rail opens up.