King County Metro to restore most bus service as road conditions improve

Emergency Snow Network in place on Tuesday, Feb. 12, switching back to snow routes Wednesday, Feb 13

February 12, 2019 1:30 am
Photo from King County Metro’s blog. King County Executive Dow Constantine today directed Metro to restore most of its bus service and shift operations to snow routes starting Wednesday, Feb. 13. This will allow Metro to switch from operating its core Emergency Snow Network and expand to providing service on at least 90 percent of routes across King County. Road conditions will be evaluated as Metro repairs and restores its fleet and ramps back up to full service in the coming days.
Photo from King County Metro’s blog. King County Executive Dow Constantine today directed Metro to restore most of its bus service and shift operations to snow routes starting Wednesday, Feb. 13. This will allow Metro to switch from operating its core Emergency Snow Network and expand to providing service on at least 90 percent of routes across King County. Road conditions will be evaluated as Metro repairs and restores its fleet and ramps back up to full service in the coming days.

From King County Metro:

The Emergency Snow Network will be discontinued at 4 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, and at that time Metro buses will instead operate snow routes on a route-by-route basis.

Riders are encouraged to visit Metro’s MetroWinter.com website for route specific information on Wednesday morning before traveling and sign up for alerts. Online updates are underway for over 200 bus routes and will be available by Wednesday morning.

Road conditions across King County continue to be the key factor affecting which routes will operate on snow routes and what travel delays riders will experience. Metro is evaluating roadway conditions with the help of local jurisdictions and determining where transit service can reliably and safely operate.

Customer notifications will be sent to email and text subscribers and information will be posted online with a goal of providing most information later on Tuesday so riders can plan out their Wednesday commute.

“We are planning to restore most of our bus service as road conditions allow, and maintenance staff are repairing the fleet so we can continue to ramp up service in the coming days,” said King County Metro General Manager Rob Gannon. “If weather and road conditions allow, our target is to return to full service on Friday, and we will keep everyone posted on our progress. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we worked to provide service in the face of record snow and ongoing winter weather.”

Metro has operated on its Emergency Snow Network since Feb. 9, with service on over 60 high-ridership routes and shuttles – about 50 percent of normal service and represent 65 percent of Metro’s ridership. These routes avoid traveling on many hills and follow main roadways treated and maintained by the state and cities. They also represent routes on a core network that Metro can serve reliably and resiliently in the event of a prolonged snow event. Metro staff worked hard to recover after the week of winter weather and recommended ramping up a return to service.

What do riders need to know? (Tuesday and Wednesday)

Riders are encouraged to be aware of road and weather conditions prior to traveling on Tuesday, Feb. 12, (during Emergency Snow Network), and on Wednesday, Feb. 13, when Metro restores more of its bus service operating on snow routing.

If you intend to use Metro, allow 30-60 additional minutes in your travel schedule and check Metro’s website in advance to confirm that your route is in service. Emergency Snow Network routes will travel on posted snow routes unless otherwise communicated.

  • Customers are encouraged to subscribe to Metro email and text alerts.
  • Metro’s Customer Information Office opens daily at 6 a.m. to assist riders with trip planning at 206-553-3000.
  • Posted timetables on Metro’s Schedules and Maps page are a good point of reference for ESN routes and shuttles that are operating and when the remainder of Metro buses return to service on snow routes. Unforeseen roadway and weather conditions may result in delays or unplanned reroutes.
  • Customers should be aware that Puget Sound Trip Planner and third-party apps will not reflect ESN service and will not be accurate for planning itineraries on ESN days.
  • For routes in service, estimated arrival times can be accurate, but riders should prepare for likely service delays and estimates that can become unreliable due to road and weather conditions or traffic delays.

Access

Access Services is operating under the Emergency Snow Network on Tuesday. Access’ main objective during winter weather is to provide life sustaining medical transportation. During this time, customers who are not certified to use Access that need to connect to life sustaining medical services can call 206-205-5000 to request services between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Access will also be working closely with fixed-route services to help support customers that are stranded due to breakdowns or weather conditions.

West Seattle Water Taxi

The West Seattle Water Taxi is operating a one-boat schedule Tuesday via the MV Doc Maynard, following its typical winter schedule rather than the expanded two-boat post-viaduct closure schedule. The two-boat, expanded service will resume on Wednesday. Water Taxi shuttle routes 773 and 775 are operating depending on roadway conditions. Ride2 West Seattle services were canceled Tuesday.

Emergency Snow Network

Routes operating as part of the ESN through 4 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, serve core centers around King County, via routes 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 21, 24, 24 shuttle, 31, 32, 36, 40, 41, 44, 45, 48, 62, 62 shuttle, 65, 70, 75, 90 shuttle, 101, 102 shuttle, 106, 106 shuttle, 120, 124, 128, 150, 166, 168, 169, 180, 181, 235, 245, 248, 252/255 shuttle, 255, 255 shuttle, 271, 331, 345, 348, 348 shuttle, 372 Woodinville and 372 Lake City, ST 522, ST 545, ST 550, ST 554, ST 554 shuttle, 773, 775, 903, 906, 907, 930, 931, RapidRide A, B, C, D, E and F lines.

Ride2 West Seattle and Eastgate are not operating Tuesday, Feb. 12.