Key improvements for South County bus riders start March 10

The improvements are expected to help Renton riders.

March 7, 2018 8:00 am
Key improvements for South County bus riders start March 10

From a King County press release. Click here for the Spanish version of the release.

King County Metro is adding hundreds of new bus trips and increasing reliability on more than 40 bus routes across the county beginning March 10. This expansion will reduce crowding and help meet growing demand, and updated schedules will serve riders better.

The planned changes deliver the third round of improvements approved in King County’s 2017-2018 budget. Metro Transit’s two-year budget invests $30 million annually in better service and schedules.

Since 2014, Metro bus service has increased by 15 percent across King County. Transit ridership in Greater Seattle continues to lead the nation, reaching a record 122.2 million rides last year. Studies show fewer people commuting alone by car to downtown.

“Riders will see more buses across King County – from Issaquah to Seattle, Shoreline to Federal Way – as we meet the challenge of growing transit demand,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “With more people calling King County home, we need alternatives to driving alone on our clogged roads and highways. This is Metro’s seventh consecutive boost in service, making it even easier to get around. The people of this region deserve the best transit system in the nation, and I aim to provide exactly that.”

Riders can read details about changes on Metro’s website and begin pre-planning trips using Metro’s Trip Planner app by entering a travel date of March 10 or later. Changes also are included in an orange Rider Alert brochure and new green-colored timetables that will be distributed on buses and at customer service locations in coming days. Route changes also are available online in Spanish.

Service improvements by the numbers

  • 242 more bus trips each weekday
  • 49 more Saturday trips; 71 more Sunday trips
  • About 12,100 total weekday Metro bus trips.
  • Hiring drivers: We have 2,900 transit operators who keep our community moving. Drive for Metro by applying online.

Metro Transit route change highlights

Across King County, better bus service highlighted below launches March 10. Comprehensive descriptions are at Metro’s Service Change site.

Improved and new service during the day on weekdays

  • Route 74 will have new midday service every 30 minutes, providing new connections between Sand Point, Ravenna and the University District.
  • Route 101 between Seattle and Renton will provide frequent service every 15 minutes during the day on weekdays, an improvement over previous 30 minute service.
  • Route 153 will have new midday service every 30 minutes, providing new connections between Kent and Renton.
  • Route 183 will operate between Kent and Federal Way every 30 minutes instead of every hour during the midday.

Improved and new service on the weekend

  • Route 150 will provide frequent service every 15 minutes instead of every 30 minutes during the day on Sundays connecting Kent, Tukwila and Downtown Seattle.
  • Route 240 will operate every 30 minutes instead of every hour on weekday evenings and Sundays connecting Renton, Newcastle, Factoria, Eastgate and Bellevue. (Also listed below).
  • Route 269 will have new Saturday service, operating every 30 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. between Bear Creek, Sammamish and Issaquah Highlands Park-and-Ride.

Added peak service trips to relieve overcrowding and provide more options

  • Routes 3, 4, 24, 50, 156, 180, 181, 212, 240, 245, 312 and RapidRide D Line will have additional peak commute trips.
  • Routes 5, 5 Express, 64, 70 and RapidRide C and E lines will provide more trips during the peak periods giving riders heading to South Lake Union more options and reducing overcrowding.

Improved and new service in the evening

  • Route 31 will have new weekday evening service connecting Magnolia, Fremont, Wallingford and the University District.
  • Route 75 will provide frequent service every 15 minutes instead of every 30 minutes during the evening on weekdays connecting the University District, Sand Point, Lake City and Northgate.
  • Route 240 will operate every 30 minutes instead of every hour during the evenings connecting Renton, Newcastle, Factoria, Eastgate and Bellevue.
  • The F Line will provide frequent service every 15 minutes instead of every 30 minutes in the evening between Burien, SeaTac, Tukwila and Renton.

More Reliable Service

  • Routes 3, 8, 11, 12, 19, 26, 28, 40, 131, 143, 178, 179, 181, 200, 234, 257, 268 and 355 are receiving additional resources to improve the reliability of service.