Executive Zahilay Moves to Accelerate Metro’s RapidRide R Line, Deliver Long-Awaited Transit Improvements to South Seattle
Cross posted from Executive News
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay is advancing three strategies to support the expedited delivery of the RapidRide R Line to deliver more reliable transit, safer access to bus stops, and better connections across South Seattle. The proposal adds stops in response to community concerns, with further opportunities for residents to shape the route and proposal during Council review and beyond.
Today, Executive Zahilay announced three steps to advance the long-awaited RapidRide R Line: proposing $64.4 million in accelerated funding, sending a proposed route and station plan to the King County Council, and moving forward with the project’s design. The project will provide faster, more reliable transit in neighborhoods from Downtown Seattle, Chinatown-International District, Mount Baker, Columbia City, Hillman City, Brighton, Dunlap, Rainier Valley, and Rainier Beach.
The project has been in development since 2015, and Executive Zahilay has made it a priority to expedite delivery in partnership with Metro and community groups. The RapidRide R Line will upgrade Metro’s Route 7, with faster and more reliable buses and a new connection to the Rainier Beach Station.
In addition to more reliable and frequent service, the project will bring a major investment in the everyday experience of taking transit in South Seattle: more dependable trips, safer ways to reach the bus, and brighter, more comfortable places to wait. Planned improvements include upgraded shelters and seating, better lighting, improved sidewalks and curb ramps, signs with real-time arrival information, expanded bus-only lanes to reduce traffic delays, and boarding improvements to make getting on and off easier for people using wheelchairs and other mobility aids.
“Our South Seattle communities deserve fast, reliable transit service. Residents have been waiting over a decade for the RapidRide R Line, and we are moving with urgency to deliver on this generational investment that will greatly enhance mobility while also making critical safety upgrades,” said Executive Girmay Zahilay. “During Metro’s community engagement over the summer, we heard directly from seniors, people with disabilities, and families who were concerned about losing stops along Route 7. In response to that feedback, the alignment plan proposes two additional stops. We know this will be a change for neighbors who have relied on Route 7 for years, and we will continue listening to community and working to ensure the R line meets the diverse needs of residents and riders in the Southend.”
Strategies to Expedite Delivery
Executive Zahilay is advancing the following three strategies:
Accelerated funding: In Executive Zahilay’s second omnibus budget proposal, he advanced $64.4 million to expedite delivery of RapidRide R. The goal in accelerating this funding is to build a strong partnership with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and bolster our shared commitment to transit improvements for South Seattle.
Transmitting proposed alignment ordinance: Following extensive community engagement, Executive Zahilay has transmitted the ordinance to the King County Council, establishing general station locations for the future RapidRide R Line. Approval of this proposed legislation will allow Metro to continue design and delivery of RapidRide infrastructure and facilities along the corridor in preparation for planned service by 2032.
The proposed line will have a total of 56 stops along the route. Based on community input, Executive Zahilay and Metro have added two stops to previous designs at Rainier Ave S at State St/S Grand St and Rainier Ave S at S Bayview Street.
In order to provide more reliable and faster service, the RapidRide R would not stop at sixteen of the stops along the route that are currently served by the Route 7. Twelve of these would still be bus stops served by other bus routes including routes 9, 14, 50, 106, and 547. The remaining four stops would be within 0.2 miles of a RapidRide R stop.
Other stops south of Henderson Street that are currently served by Route 7 would not be served by the RapidRide R but will be addressed through a separate service-planning process described below.
Releasing Request for Proposal (RFP) for project to begin design: The project is currently at 10% design. The Executive and Metro have worked with the County procurement office to expedite publishing a Request for Proposals for Engineering, Planning and Design Services for RapidRide R to ensure we have the team in place to move design on this project forward in partnership with community. Proposals are due by November 5th, 2026.
Opportunities for Community Engagement
The Executive has transmitted the alignment proposal to the King County Council, which will allow for further public input and opportunities to shape the project:
- Council will hold at least two public hearings on the alignment proposal where residents can share their feedback about the proposed route and general station locations.
- During the design phase, Metro plans two additional formal rounds of community engagement to help refine specific station placement, sidewalks, lighting, crossings, and ways to reduce construction impacts.
The legislation would establish the route and general station locations, while leaving detailed design work ahead. Residents’ input will help shape how those improvements work on the ground.
Metro is also evaluating how to maintain strong and convenient transit connections for people traveling to and from areas south of South Henderson Street that will not be directly served by RapidRide R Line. Before the RapidRide R Line launches, Metro will engage communities south of South Henderson Street to better understand local travel needs, priorities, and important destinations and connections.
The input gathered through that process will help inform service changes to other bus lines like the Metro bus routes 106, 107, 9 or flexible options like Metro Flex to ensure continued mobility options are in place for those neighborhoods before the upgrade to the RapidRide R Line begins.
What is RapidRide?
RapidRide is Metro’s highest level of investment in service, amenities, speed and reliability, and innovation. RapidRide is more than a new bus route – the improvements that are built as part of the RapidRide program improve safety and help ensure the bus moves quickly and on-time.
RapidRide stations include larger, enhanced shelters, better lighting, signs with real-time arrival information, and more seating. Metro works with local cities to improve sidewalks, transit signal priority, street crossings, and other pathways to bus stations to ensure a safe and convenient experience.
RapidRide is designed to speed up the service in some of our busiest transit routes. The uniquely branded buses serve upgraded bus stations with improved lighting and visibility, shelter and real-time arrival information. There are currently eight RapidRide bus lines in King County. This will be the first RapidRide to operate in South Seattle.
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What People Are Saying
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson
“When we say public transit should be irresistibly good, that promise should be realized first and foremost in the communities that rely on it most. In the Rainier Valley, people ride transit at some of the highest rates in King County with more than 11,000 daily trips on Route 7 alone. Investing in fast, frequent, reliable, accessible, safe, and affordable service here is more than just good transit policy; it’s a commitment to deliver on what government owes the people who count on it every day. RapidRide R is an upgrade for riders, a long‑term investment in the Rainier Valley’s future, and a clear statement that great transit belongs here.”
King County Councilmember Rhonda Lewis (District 2)
“South Seattle is one of the most diverse regions in King County, and it’s also one of the most transit dependent. Projects like the RapidRide R Line are exactly what our communities deserve — fast, reliable, and frequent service that connects people to opportunity. I am looking forward to Metro continuing community engagement and ensuring this investment best serves residents in District 2.”
Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Position 8, Citywide)
“Just over a year ago, I stood alongside transit advocates, operators, and leaders to launch the Better Bus Lanes campaign. One of the three pillars of that campaign was an emphasis on improving reliability and frequency on Rainier Ave S in preparation for RapidRide R. Thanks to partnership from advocates and Executive Zahilay we are closer than ever to realizing a transit-forward vision for the Rainier Valley and beyond. South Seattle deserves world class transit and the community connection it brings. Today marks an important next step forward, and our work will continue alongside our county partners and the community to deliver this important project.”
Michelle Allison, General Manager, King County Metro
“The Route 7 is a historic link for the communities that run through the heart of south Seattle. Upgrading this route to a RapidRide is providing these neighborhoods the service they have deserved for generations. The alignment plan has been developed with community outreach throughout all of the Rainier Valley to ensure that as many voices as possible were part of the final plan. When the RapidRide starts rolling, this route will improve transit and expand opportunities for those living along Rainier Avenue from start to finish.”
Dow Constantine, CEO, Sound Transit
“Advancing development of the RapidRide R line will provide a welcome enhancement to transit service and access in the Rainier Valley. This fast, reliable service will connect directly to multiple light rail stations, further expanding the footprint of frequent service in our region and knitting communities closer together through generational transit investments.”
Kirk Hovenkotter, Executive Director, Transportation Choices Coalition
“Too often, Rainier Ave is a slog. This ordinance is a commitment to fix that. Rapid Ride R is a major investment in bus lanes, bus shelters, and sidewalks on one of the busiest transit streets in the state. We thank Executive Zahilay for his leadership to bring the bus riders of Rainier Valley the great transit they deserve.”
Jennifer Geffre, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Lighthouse for the Blind
“This proposal is grounded in thoughtful consideration of accessibility, population, ridership and affordability. The RapidRide R Line will deliver more reliable and frequent service, improve pedestrian access to transit stops and enhance safety for all riders, particularly individuals with mobility challenges. We appreciate Metro’s efforts to include us and the community in the planning and development of this project.”