Now that the Link trains are running, there will likely be some adjustments to Metro bus service. Read on for updates. See especially section 5 below regarding the comments period for adjustments to the Route 7.
1. Expanded Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel hours
Metro and Sound Transit buses and Link light rail now operate together in the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel. The tunnel is now open according to the following schedule:
Weekdays and Saturdays: 5 a.m.-1 a.m.
Sundays: 6 a.m.-midnight
2. Many existing bus routes connect with Link light rail
Metro bus routes help connect passengers to Link. Below is a list of current Metro bus connections to the five Link stations that serve the southeast Seattle area. Metro will make routing and schedule changes for many of these bus routes beginning Sept. 19 (see below).
- Beacon Hill Station (17th Avenue S & S McClellan Street): Currently served by Metro routes 36, 38, and 60.
- Mount Baker Station (2415 S McClellan St.): Currently served by Metro routes 7, 7 Express, 8, 9, 34 Express, 38, 42, 42 Express, and 48.
- Columbia City Station (4818 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S): Currently served by Metro routes 39, 42, 42 Express, and 48.
- Othello Station (7100 MLK Jr. Way S): Currently served by Metro routes 42, 42 Express, 48, and 106.
- Rainier Beach Station (9132 MLK Jr. Way S): Currently served by Metro routes 36, 42*, 42 Express*, and 48. (*Routes 42 and 42 Express connect one block away on Renton Avenue South.)
For questions about current bus schedules and routing, contact Metro Customer Service at 206-553-3000 or visit Metro Online at www.kingcounty.gov/metro.
3. Metro bus route changes will begin Sept. 19
Metro will change most bus routes in the southeast Seattle area beginning Sept. 19.
For detailed information, visit http://metro.kingcounty.gov/up/sc/planning.html. Metro will make additional changes in February 2010.
Detailed scheduling information will be available on approximately Sept. 11 from Metro Customer Service, 206-553-3000, and on Metro Online, www.kingcounty.gov/metro.
4. ORCA: the new way to pay fares for bus and light rail
Customers who currently pay cash for Metro bus rides and plan on using Link light rail as well will benefit from buying an ORCA card. Link will not accept Metro bus transfers after Link light rail’s introductory period, which runs through December 31, 2009. After that, the ORCA card will save passengers money when they transfer between Metro buses and Link light rail.
The ORCA card works like cash or a pass, automatically tracking the value of different fares and transfers. For detailed information, visit www.orcacard.com.
Regional Reduced Fare Permits (with a valid Metro fare sticker) will be honored on Link light rail as proof of full fare payment. For more information, call Sound Transit at 206-398-5000 or visit Sound Transit’s Web site at www.soundtransit.org/x131.xml.
You may request the following materials by calling Sound Transit at 206-398-5000:
- Quick reference cards on “How to Ride Link/ How to use ORCA”
- ORCA cards (no fare loaded) with ORCA Guide cardholder
- Link fare payment information sheets in the following languages: English, Amharic, Vietnamese, Chinese (traditional), Tagrinya, Tagalog, Spanish, Somali, Russian, Oromo, Laotian, and Cambodian.
5. Proposed changes to Route 7 bus stops: Metro requests community feedback by July 31
Metro is planning to streamline Route 7 service by reducing the number of stops in the Rainier Valley. For information about this project and a list of bus stops that are proposed for closure, visit http://metro.kingcounty.gov/up/sc/plans/2009/062009-rt7-improve.html.
Metro is requesting public input on this project by July 31. There are several ways to submit questions and comments:
- Send an e-mail to community.relations@kingcounty.gov.
- Complete an online questionnaire at http://metro.kingcounty.gov/up/sc/planning.html.
- Call Metro to record your comments or questions
- 206-296-4511 - English
- 206-263-5001 - (Chinese)
- 206-263-5003 - Español (Spanish)
- 206-263-5005 - (Vietnamese)
- 206-205-9185 - Soomaali (Somali)
- 206-684-1955 - (Amharic)
- Send a letter to Barbara de Michele, King County Transportation Communications, 201 S Jackson, KSC-TR-0832, Seattle, WA 98104.
Metro staff members will review all comments, adjust the stop closure proposal if necessary, and present a final plan that will be posted in early September at http://metro.kingcounty.gov/up/sc/planning.html.
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