Originally uploaded by mraaronmorris

Monday morning marks the weekday start of quite a few changes to Metro service across Seattle and, though we won’t see a lot of differences on the Hill, we might want to get ready for more as the county looks to trim costs and optimize service. The branding for this optimization: RapidRide.

In our area, the only immediate change comes for route 60 which will see an increase in service thanks to a Seattle Department of Transportation program to fund almost 15,000 in Metro service hours. The increased service will more runs on a few routes and route extensions “to improve mobility in and between numerous Seattle neighborhoods,” SDOT says. More on the 60 bus changes below in the media release from Metro.

SDOT says that the use of Bridging the Gap levy money to increase service has precedent:

This increase builds on hours previously added to the 2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 26, 28, 44 and 48 bus lines in 2008 and 2009. This allotment brings the new bus service added to approximately 45,000 hours per year – the equivalent of ten buses running more than twelve hours per day 365 days per year.

RapidRide is targeting what Metro says are its highest demand rapid transit corridors. The first line will run between Federal Way and Tukwila. “Additional RapidRide lines debuting over the next three years will serve busy transit corridors in West Seattle, Ballard, Bellevue, Redmond, Shoreline, Burien, Tukwila, and Renton,” Metro says.

The result might be more efforts like the SDOT neighborhood service enhancements as Metro is forced to focus its efforts.

Meanwhile, the question of how to transition Metro’s aging fleet of electric trolleys continues to wend its way through the political process. The Squire Park Community Council will be discussing the situation at its October 9 meeting if you’d like to get involved with a local group concerned about the issue.

Here’s the announcement of the new service changes from Metro: 

King County Metro Transit is ready to roll out the first of its six RapidRide lines, along with other new bus routes, and schedule and routing adjustments. All are part of Metro’s fall service change that begins Saturday, Oct. 2.

Bus riders across Metro’s service area should check fall schedules for the routes they use most often to see what’s new. They can prepare by picking up a new orange timetable, Special Rider Alert brochure, or use the online Trip Planner for some advance research. Be sure to input a date of Oct. 2 or later, when using the Trip Planner.

The highlight of the Oct. 2 service change is the debut of RapidRide “A Line,” which replaces Route 174 between the Federal Way Transit Center and Tukwila International Boulevard Link light rail station. The A Line will provide 15-minute service most of the day, with 10-minute service during peak commute periods. On Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 2 and 3, all trips will be free on the A Line.   

RapidRide marks a new generation of Metro bus service that includes newly designed shelters, signs, and buses. The distinctive red and yellow buses are low-emission hybrid-powered vehicles with low floors and three doors for faster, easier boarding. RapidRide buses will use HOV lanes along Pacific Highway South and International Boulevard. Along this 11-mile stretch, riders will also see more green lights and will experience other improvements that are expected to cut travel times by up to one-third.

RapidRide will be testing a new fare payment system that features ORCA card readers at 26 major stations. At these stations, riders can tap their card before boarding buses and enter through the two back doors. If a bus stop doesn’t have a card reader, or if you are paying with cash or tickets, you must enter through the front door. Riders paying with cash or tickets will be issued a transfer as their proof of payment.  Fare enforcement officers will be randomly boarding buses and checking for proof of payment.

Additional RapidRide lines debuting over the next three years will serve busy transit corridors in West Seattle, Ballard, Bellevue, Redmond, Shoreline, Burien, Tukwila, and Renton

Also starting in October and continuing next year, Metro and Sound Transit will be adding nearly 130 bus trips a day across the State Route 520 bridge. These service enhancements, along with park-and-ride and bus stop improvements, are in preparation for the electronic tolling that is coming to the 520 bridge next year.

In addition, Metro has a new Route 910 in Auburn, and service has been added to five Seattle-area routes through Transit Now partnerships.

Metro is making some scheduling and routing changes this fall to save money, preserve bus service, and operate more efficiently. In some cases, you may notice differences in the schedule for your route, along with longer wait times for transfers or irregular spacing between bus trips. Unfortunately, due to reduced sales-tax revenue for transit, Metro also had to eliminate some trips on designated routes. These trip reductions were chosen to minimize the disruption for bus riders whenever possible.

Here’s an overview of the Metro Transit service changes that begin Oct. 2:

• New routes – RapidRide A Line will connect Federal Way to Tukwila. Route 910, in partnership with the city of Auburn, will provide service between north and southwest Auburn.

• Added service – Trips will be added on Seattle-area routes 5, 7, 30, 60 and 75 through Transit Now partnerships. There is additional SR 520 service this fall on Metro routes 265 and 271 and with new ST 542. And, in other areas of the county, there is increased frequency of service on routes 164, 168 and 245.