Showing posts with label metro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label metro. Show all posts

King County Metro to purchase 40 battery-electric buses

Saturday, February 1, 2020

From left: Chris Stoddart, president of New Flyer of America, Inc., 
Rob Gannon, general manager of King County Metro.County,
County Executive Dow Constantine,
Councilmembers Jeanne Kohl-Wells and Rod Dembowski
Photo courtesy King County


King County Executive Dow Constantine announced this week that King County Metro has agreed to purchase 40 battery-electric buses from New Flyer, Inc., to be delivered in 2021 and plans to order 80 more in the coming year – a major milestone in the county’s efforts to improve air quality, reduce carbon and create a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2040.

The order is comprised of 40 60-foot-long articulated buses valued at $1.3 million each for a total of approximately $50 million. The remaining 80 battery-electric buses planned for purchase include 20 more articulated buses and 60 40-foot-long buses, valued at approximately $925,000 each. Total cost for the second order, arriving in fall 2022, is estimated to be around $80 million.

“Today, we’re celebrating major progress toward our goal of transforming Metro to a zero-emission bus fleet, which is better not only for the environment but also for our customers,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. 
“These new buses will be able to serve routes all over King County, and especially in the southern part of the county, an area disproportionately affected by pollution. Working with New Flyer, we’ve procured 40 new buses that can handle anything we throw at them – quietly, efficiently, and fueled by clean power.”




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Give your input for bus and light rail integration in north King county

Friday, January 24, 2020

For decades, bus service on established transit corridors has connected customers to Northgate, the Roosevelt area, and the University District, and in 2021 that will shift and evolve with the addition of new light rail stations in each of these three neighborhoods. 

Northgate Transit Center will
open in 2021

King County Metro has upgraded and revised the transit network with each new phase of Sound Transit expansion to connect people to Link and better connect them within their communities.

Sound Transit is extending light rail from the University of Washington at Husky Stadium to Northgate Transit Center, opening two underground stations in the University District and Roosevelt and an elevated station at Northgate in 2021.

Because light rail avoids traffic congestion, riders reach their destinations faster and more reliably. This opens up the new opportunities to make transit work better for existing and new customers.

King County Metro is releasing initial proposals for updating bus service to integrate with the new stations. These concepts were created with the help of a community-based Mobility Board, and broader public feedback on service needs and priorities.

King County Metro today launched a survey and community engagement effort seeking public feedback on a proposed new bus network creating stronger connections to Sound Transit’s three future Link light rail stations opening in Seattle in 2021. 

Visit the project calendar on Metro’s website to find a public event near you.

Metro Rapid Ride bus
Photo courtesy Metro

Based on Mobility Board members careful consideration of broader public feedback and input, the proposed bus network would:
  • Improve east-west crosstown connections
  • Create transfer points that are convenient and easy for customers to understand
  • Make transit travel times for many trips faster and more consistent by connecting with light rail
  • Increase access to hospitals and medical facilities (Northgate, UW, First Hill, Seattle Children’s)
  • Expand opportunity through connections to growing job centers like South Lake Union

The UW station will connect to two
new underground stations in the U District
Even though the focus is on the stations at Roosevelt, Northgate, and the U District, the changes will affect all the north King county bus routes, including those serving Lake Forest Park and Shoreline.

Changes are being considered to more than 30 Metro routes and to Sound Transit Express Route 522. 

These buses serve communities within Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, Seattle, and Shoreline. The service updates will bring more people to and from light rail stations and respond to changing transportation needs.

Potentially affected routes: 26, 31, 32, 41, 44, 45, 48, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67, 70, 71, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 301, 303, 304, 308, 309, 312, 316, 330, 345, 346, 347, 348, 355, 372, 373, Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Community Ride

Check out Sound Transit’s Northgate Link Extension page for the latest project information.

Sound Transit and Community Transit are discussing how bus service to and from Snohomish County can seamlessly integrate with light rail at the new light rail stations. Both agencies are talking to riders about adjusting ST Express and Community Transit service to create a more reliable regional transit network between 2021 and 2024, when the Lynnwood Link Extension is scheduled to open. Learn more on the Lynnwood Link Extension webpage.


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Metro is ready

Monday, January 13, 2020

Metro is read
From Metro Transit

Forecasts show bitter cold and snowy conditions that could affect King County Metro bus services Sunday and Monday, Jan. 12 and 13. 

Riders are encouraged to monitor and review weather and roadway conditions in their community before traveling and sign up for transit alerts at MetroWinter.com to receive important updates.

Metro is focused on providing safe and reliable public transportation to the greatest extent possible during the coming snowstorm and coordinating closely with cities and the state Department of Transportation on road clearing efforts that keep buses moving.

Where road conditions worsen, Metro is prepared to shift buses to snow reroutes and chain its bus fleet. As a precaution, maintenance crews plan to chain buses in the field on routes scheduled to operate past 8pm Sunday, Jan. 12. The Transit Control Center, facilities and operations and other staff also are ramping up operations and staffing Sunday afternoon as the storm strengthens.

Riders should prepare for possible travel delays, visit the updated MetroWinter.com page

Transit customers face potential travel delays on Sunday and Monday due to worsening road conditions and should plan accordingly in the event that bus service also is delayed or trips are very crowded.

Riders can sign up for transit alerts in their community and find snow reroute information at the revamped MetroWinter.com page. Info also is available in printed bus route timetables and Metro’s Snow Brochure. Based on last year’s snow storms, Metro revised the web page to better serve riders with the up-to-date information they need to travel using public transportation, and to show which routes are on snow routes.

Regular fares are required to travel. Based on revised county policy, fare enforcement is only waived in the event of an extreme regional snow storm that requires Metro’s Emergency Snow Network to be activated.



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Free rides on Metro on New Year's Eve

Tuesday, December 31, 2019


King County Metro will again offer free rides on New Year’s Eve with promotional support and sponsorship from Seattle Center, which draws thousands of people for New Year’s Eve festivities, including free Seattle Center Winterfest activities at Seattle Center Armory and International Fountain and midnight fireworks off the Space Needle.

Rides will be free from 7pm Tuesday, December 31, to 4am Wednesday, January 1, on Metro buses and other Metro transit service.

In addition, Metro will add more frequent service to its night routes, focusing on helping people travel near Seattle Center following the fireworks at midnight.

“There's no better night to leave your car at home than New Year’s Eve, and with free fares you can ride Metro transit, celebrate late, and not have to worry about parking or a safe ride home,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine.


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Vets ride free on Metro and Sound Transit to ninth annual Seattle Stand Down

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Veterans heading to the ninth annual Seattle Stand Down event on December 12-13 can ride free on King County Metro and Sound Transit buses, light rail, and Sounder trains.

The Seattle Stand Down event connects veterans, service members, and their families who are experiencing homelessness with local resources and services, will be hosted at South Seattle College’s Georgetown campus, 6737 Corson Ave S, Seattle.

It’s a one-stop shop for veterans to receive housing assistance, case management referrals and employment opportunities. 

Veterans can access legal aid, medical screenings, eye exams, dental services, haircuts, personal hygiene items, veterinarian care, and meals – all coordinated through representatives from businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions, and all levels of government are brought together at one location to provide services.

Representatives from ORCA LIFT, the reduced-fare transit card, and ORCA to Go, which provides information and sales of regular-fare ORCA cards, will be on-site both days.

Veterans traveling to or from the two-day event can ride free by showing one of the following forms of ID:
  • Veteran Health Identification Card
  • Uniformed Identification Card
  • DD-214 discharge paperwork
  • Driver’s license with veteran’s designation
Veterans also can obtain a special two-sided free bus pass by visiting one of the following service providers:
  • Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC): Rebecca Stevens, 305 S. Lucile Street, Seattle, WA 98108
  • WDVA: Tracy Jones, 2106 Second Ave., Seattle, WA 98121
  • KCVP: Bryan Fry, 645 Andover W. #100, Tukwila, WA 98188
  • William Booth Center: Michelle Smith, 811 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98134

Metro bus routes that travel to or near the campus include routes 60, 124, 131, 132, 107 and 154. Route 154 is peak-only service. 

For additional information about transit service, visit Metro’s Puget Sound Trip Planner, or call Metro’s Customer Information line at 206-553-3000.

The Seattle Stand Down will open for registration at 7am on Thursday, December 12, and services will be available from 8am until 4pm.

On Friday, December 13, registration will begin at 7am with services available from 8am until 2pm.

More information is available here: Seattle Stand Down



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2019 November election results and the impacts to Shoreline: Shoreline Proposition 1 and I-976

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

From the City of Shoreline

Over the next several months, the City will discuss how the results of the November election will affect our community.

Passage of Initiative 976 (I-976) will place a significant strain on our transportation programs and the wider City budget as we search for ways to absorb the annual loss of more than $1.6 million from the City’s street and sidewalk maintenance and preservation programs. 

Failure of Shoreline Proposition 1 will require the Council and the community to have tough discussions about aquatics programming offered by the City and future investments in parks and City recreation facilities.

Shoreline Proposition 1

With an approval vote of 54%, Shoreline Proposition 1 failed. Because Prop. 1 was a bond measure, it required a 60% approval rate to pass. Over the past several years, hundreds of Shoreline residents have contributed to the discussion on developing the proposed Shoreline Aquatics, Recreation, and Community Center and on making improvements to our parks.

Whether you voted to approve or reject the proposition, we want to thank Shoreline residents for taking the time to learn about the issue, provide their input, and vote. As we work to identify a new path forward that will meet the needs of our growing community, we hope that those who supported and opposed the Proposition stay engaged and continue to contribute to the discussion.

Using the extensive input from the public and taking all the different community needs and interests into account, the Council felt it put the best option forward. Council will now begin to evaluate the results of the election and determine what next steps, if any, they should take regarding future investments in park improvements and the City’s recreation facilities.

Council will need to make some tough decisions regarding the Shoreline Pool. The repairs we made to the Pool in 2015 were meant to be temporary and not last much more than five to seven years.

Even with the $750,000 investment in 2015, the City has been experiencing increasing maintenance costs at the pool as it is over 50 years old and the pool systems and building structure are nearing the end of their useful lives. 

In 2019 alone, the City has seen pool repair costs exceed $125,000. Council will need to evaluate whether it makes economic sense to put further investment into the existing pool, refine options for a new facility, or decide not to provide aquatic programs in the long-term.

Until the School District decides to use the Spartan Recreation Center for other purposes, it will continue to operate as it does today. As the need for repairs arise, Council will have to determine how much to invest in an aging facility we do not own.

State, regional, and local transportation funding face cuts under I-976

Passage of I-976 eliminates Shoreline’s ability to charge a vehicle license fee (VLF) for transportation purposes.


  • In 2009, City Council adopted a $20 VLF to help fund the maintenance of Shoreline streets on a regular schedule. Over time, this has helped us preserve our streets and avoid more costly road replacements that can be the result of deferred maintenance. 
  • Council passed the other $20 VLF in 2018 for the repair and maintenance of our existing sidewalk network. 

I-976 does not affect the new sidewalk sales tax measure approved by Shoreline voters in 2018. The new sidewalk program will be able to move ahead as expected.


The combined fees generated approximately $1.6 million per year. The loss of that funding affects the entire transportation program, as well as other City programs and services, as we will need to find that funding elsewhere in the budget or reduce or eliminate these maintenance programs.

The City Council is already considering nearly $1.3 million in budget holds including delaying equipment purchases, redirecting funds for park improvements, and reallocating projected budget savings towards the City’s annual road surface maintenance program.

Passage of I-976 will also significantly affect State transportation funding, particularly for transit and paratransit. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), working with the State Legislature, will need to make decisions about how to maintain state highways, provide transportation options for individuals with disabilities, and more. State funding for local transportation projects, including ones in Shoreline, may be called into question in the coming months.

I-976 will also cut King County Metro funding, which in turn could affect routes serving Shoreline.

Finally, Sound Transit (ST) has indicated that the impacts to funding from I-976 will be significant as well.

While it is unlikely to impact the 2024 opening of light rail in Shoreline, other ST projects or programs, such as Bus Rapid Transit that is planned to serve our Shoreline South/145th Station, may be affected.

There is yet much to be determined about the impacts of this Initiative. Shoreline staff will be keeping an eye on developments and providing updated Shoreline-related information as we learn it.



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Snohomish County buses will meet light rail at Northgate in 2021

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Public invited to comment on transit ideas for connections with light rail when Northgate Link opens

As Link light rail expands north toward Snohomish County, Community Transit and Sound Transit are exploring bus service changes to connect riders with fast, reliable service to the University of Washington, downtown Seattle and other regional destinations.

The agencies are requesting feedback on a draft plan to connect some commuter routes to the Link Red Line at the new Northgate Station when it opens in 2021. Link light rail trains will depart Northgate every six minutes during peak hours. Travel time on Link from Northgate to the U District is expected to take six minutes; Northgate to downtown Seattle will take 14 minutes.

Potential changes to Snohomish County bus service include:
  • ST Express routes 510, 511, 512 and 513 that currently run between Snohomish County and downtown Seattle would connect to Link at Northgate instead. The shorter, more reliable bus trips would run more often as a result, including more midday and weekend service.
  • Community Transit routes 810, 821, 855, 860, 871 and 880 that currently run to the University of Washington campus would connect to Link at Northgate instead. The shorter, more reliable bus trips would run more often as a result, including more midday and afternoon service.

Community Transit 400 series buses serving downtown Seattle would continue service unchanged, as would the Sound Transit Sounder train service between Everett and Seattle.

King County Metro Transit will change bus service to connect to new Link stations. Changes to service may occur in North Seattle, U-District, Shoreline, Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, and Woodinville.

Metro expects to invite public feedback on concepts for change in January 2020. Find out more on Metro’s North Link Connections webpage.

The public is invited to learn more about the Link Connections: Northgate bus restructure project and provide comments via an online open house through Dec. 31, 2019. People can visit northgate.participate.online to learn more.

Community Transit and Sound Transit will also conduct in-person outreach at locations throughout Snohomish County. Select outreach events are listed on the online open house webpage.

The agencies will consider the feedback they receive to refine the plan, which they will present to the public in the spring of 2020. The Sound Transit and Community Transit boards of directors will approve the final proposal in the summer of 2020.

More information about Northgate Link here



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Statement from Council Chair Dembowski, Transit Union President, Kenmore Mayor on Passage of Tim Eyman’s I-976

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Rob Dembowski is the county rep for
north end cities including Shoreline, Kenmore,
and Lake Forest Park

King County Council Chair Rod Dembowski, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 President Ken Price, and Kenmore Mayor and Sound Transit Boardmember David Baker issued the following statements on Tim Eyman’s I-976, which though passing statewide in early results, was rejected by King County voters:

King County Council Chair Rod Dembowski:

“King County voters sent a clear message that they want to continue investments in transit and critical local transportation infrastructure. At a time of record demands for service, we can’t afford to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in transit and transportation projects in King County.
“At King County we stand ready to consider all options to prevent Metro service bus cuts that will cause further congestion on our roadways, diminish service to our most vulnerable riders on Access paratransit, and delay the electrification of Metro’s fleet. 
Further, I believe as a regional government, we should work closely with our city partners to look at restoring funding for critical infrastructure projects like sidewalks, pothole repair, and streets. While I-976 is a roadblock, I am committed to immediately going to work to mitigate the worst of its impacts.”

ATU Local 587 President Ken Price

“The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 is proud to be on the front lines of the nation’s top transit system, delivering excellent customer service to the hundreds of thousands of people who rely on Metro each day to get them to work, school, and their doctor’s appointments. 
We are ready and willing to work to prevent harm to our transit system, our riders, and our dedicated employees, caused by the passage of I-976.”

Kenmore Mayor and Sound Transit Boardmember David Baker:

“Cities in King County are now facing significant holes in our roads and sidewalk budgets. I welcome Councilmember Dembowski’s offer to work regionally with city partners to address this challenge and look forward to working together to explore all options consistent with local voters’ desire to avoid decimating our transit and transportation budgets.”

Background:

Councilmember Dembowski was the author and prime sponsor of King County Ordinance 2013‑0527.2, which created King County’s Transportation Benefit District. The District offers one path to mitigate the lost revenues from I-976, with voter approval of any revenue proposal recommended by the District. The governing board for the District is comprised of the members of the Metropolitan King County Council.



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Aurora Village Transit Center closed Friday to Monday

Friday, July 12, 2019


From Friday, July 12, through Monday, July 15, the Aurora Village Transit Center commuter parking will be closed due to asphalt work.

Bus service is unaffected by this closure and all buses will operate as usual to/from the Aurora Village Transit Center.

Alternative parking is available at the following locations:
  • Shoreline P/R at 18821 Aurora Ave N, served by routes 301, 342, 373 and RapidRide E Line.
  • Aurora Community Church of the Nazarene at 1900 N 175th St, served by routes 301, 303, 316, 346 and 373. 

Customers are encouraged to use caution in the work areas at all times.



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Metro routes 331 and 348 rerouted Saturday morning for the S.O.S. 5K Run/Walk

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Photo by Steven H. Robinson
On Saturday, May 11 from 7:30 AM until 12:00 Noon, Metro routes 331 and 348 will be affected in the Richmond Beach area due street closures and traffic congestion associated with the S.O.S. 5K Run/Walk

During this event, Metro routes 331 and 348 will be rerouted in both directions and will travel instead via alternate nearby streets, depending on the route, destination and direction of travel.

Visit Metro’s Service Advisories page for complete information about revised bus service, routing and stops for planned events. Transit reroute start and end times may be subject to change.

Visit Metro’s online regional Puget Sound Trip Planner to plan your travel, and for bus stop, schedule and other information, including predicted times at stops.




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New bus shelter art in Lake Forest Park

Monday, April 29, 2019

Photo by Heather McLaughlin

The shelter picture is by Tom Reese and is titled, "Tribal Canoe." 

Photo by Heather McLaughlin

The fish are actually pictures on the new trash can. 

Photo by Heather McLaughlin

This is the replacement bus shelter just installed at 25th and Ballinger Way in Lake Forest Park. Heather McLaughlin got photos while Metro crew was swapping out the old, green bus shelter for this new, blue one.

She went back to get photos of the "mystery fish" which turned out to be art on a large trash can, and the photo on the shelter itself.

Other bus shelters in LFP have historical photos on them.


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Photos: New bus shelter installed on Ballinger Way

Thursday, April 25, 2019

Photo by Heather McLaughlin
 

Reader Heather McLaughlin was in the right place at the right time to see these new, blue bus shelters being installed on Ballinger Way.


Photo by Heather McLaughlin


Heather reports, 

"King County Metro was at Ballinger Way NE and 25th Ave NE replacing the existing green shelter with a new blue one. The other shelter on the truck is for Bothell Way NE and Ballinger Way NE, according to the stop number listed. 
"Watching them lift the old shelter out and put the new one in was pretty neat. Thanks, Metro! Looking forward to waiting for my bus under the new shelter."

New shelter art?
Photo by Heather McLaughlin

Could these be the panels for the new blue shelters? Heather will have to let us know the next time she takes the bus!



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Metro in the snow

Sunday, February 3, 2019


Transit service in Seattle and King County could be affected by snow, ice or wind Monday morning and during the next few days. 

Forecasts and predictions about the possibility of snow are constantly being updated. It is not possible to predict the exact timing or locations, if any, of potential transit service impacts due to the weather.

While Metro utilizes all available resources to operate service as normally as possible during unexpected or adverse weather or other conditions, the safety of everyone is the highest priority.

Buses may be delayed or rerouted, and Metro staff cannot predict affected areas or tell riders exactly when a specific bus might get to a stop.

Snow or ice operation
If Metro service is significantly affected by snow or other weather-related events, the Metro website will be updated and Transit Alerts will be sent to affected subscribers.



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New public transportation options for Shoreline and Lake Forest Park

Friday, February 1, 2019

Community Van
In 2017, Metro’s Community Connections Program embarked on a project to understand the transportation needs of people who live, work, or go to school in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park.

Input centered on needs for flexible evening service to connect people to locations around the community and easier transportation options for those traveling off the existing fixed-route network.

Input also indicated that solutions should be easy to recognize as Metro services, offered at a similar price point to existing services, and maintain availability even as personal schedules change.

Community Ride
In collaboration with a working group comprised of stakeholders from the City of Shoreline, City of Lake Forest Park and Shoreline Community College, the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Community Ride and Community Van were the chosen solutions.

The Community Ride service is offered by King County Metro and operated under contract by Hopelink Transportation. 

Community Van is also offered by King County Metro, and the Community Transportation Coordinator role will operate under contract by Hopelink Mobility Management.

“The launch of Community Ride and Community Van programs serving Shoreline and Lake Forest Park is an exciting step in improving access to transit,” said Council Chair Rod Dembowski.  
“Many folks in our community are unable to use our existing fixed route service, and these new options take advantage of technology and flexible scheduling to expand their transportation choices  
"King County Metro is consistently implementing new strategies to meet customer needs, and I am excited to see how these services help to get people where they need to go when traditional bus service isn’t available to them.”


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Community Ride: Metro launches on-demand evening shuttle for Lake Forest Park and north central Shoreline

Community Ride for LFP and most of Shoreline
launches February 5, 2019
The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Community Ride service launches February 5, 2019 in Lake Forest Park and the eastern portion of Shoreline, including Shoreline Community College.

It will provide on-demand, evening transportation service within the area.

The Community Ride service travels within a specified area instead of traveling along a fixed route with a set schedule.

Shoreline-Lake Forest Park’s service differs from existing Community Ride services in that it is app-enabled and on demand. Advanced reservations are not required, nor available.

Service map for Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Community Ride;
open to anyone who lives, works or goes to school within the territory

The new service will operate in the evenings only and allow residents to easily connect to local points of interest as well as transportation hubs. 

In 2014, Shoreline’s bus route 331 ceased its evening operation due to low ridership at the time. 

Community Ride will address the resulting gap in service past 6pm.

How to use Community Ride
  • Book trips on-demand using the Community Ride app anywhere throughout the service area. Starting Tuesday, February 5, download the Community Ride app by visiting the App Store (iOS) or the Google Play store (Android) and searching “Community Ride.”
  • Riders without access to a smartphone or data plan may book rides by phone at 1-855-233-1880.
  • Hours of operation: Monday – Saturday 6pm to 11pm and Sunday 6pm to 10pm.
  • All Community Ride vehicles are wheelchair accessible and have bike racks.
  • All standard Metro fares and payment methods apply, including ORCA, cash, paper transfers and mobile ticketing.

Metro has also launched a 24/7 reservation-based, group trip transportation option called Community Van. See article.



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Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Community Van provides residents with a 24/7 reservation-based, group trip transportation option

Community van service is available to Shoreline and LFP residents 24/7
and is reserved in advance for 2 - 12 people

The new Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Community Van can provide group trips 24/7 and is reserved in advance.
 
Group trip requests are made through a local Community Transportation Coordinator. This local, paid representative then finds a volunteer driver to fulfill the trip request and makes the transportation opportunity public to the community at large. The minimum group size is two riders plus a driver.

The Community Van service is available to any resident of Shoreline or Lake Forest Park. The service area is flexible; reserved trips must simply originate within the boundaries of the cities of Shoreline or Lake Forest Park.

This person-to-person booking approach has been successfully implemented by Metro in partnership with other communities such as Bothell-Woodinville, Vashon, and Duvall.

How to use Community Van
  • Preschedule a Community Van trip by contacting Shoreline-Lake Forest Park’s Community Transportation Coordinator, Bree Boyce, at Communityvan@Hopelink.org.
  • Make a new trip request at least 48 hours in advance of your desired trip. Riders wishing to join existing scheduled trips may join same day by contacting the CTC. 
  • Community Van is eligible for use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Community Van has 12 passenger or 6 passenger vans available, depending on group size. ADA-equipped vans are available upon request.
  • All monthly ORCA passes, including transfers, are accepted along with mobile tickets via the Transit GO app. Drivers are unable to accept cash payment.

Metro has also launched an evening shuttle service for Lake Forest Park and north central Shoreline called Community Ride. See the article.



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Dayton Avenue is open after windstorm brings down tree and utility pole

Thursday, January 10, 2019

Tree down on Dayton Ave
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline

During the weekend's windstorm, a tree came down on Dayton Ave N, between Richmond Beach Rd and N 183rd.

New guy pole
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
The tree brought down a "guy pole." 

That’s one that supports other poles, but doesn’t carry any lines, so the mishap did not cause any power outages.

City Light had a line service crew onsite, but the pole was too big for them to move.

The pole crews were concentrating on replacing broken poles that did carry power lines to get customers back into service. 

The guy pole was removed and replaced on Tuesday.

The road was closed to traffic and Metro buses were rerouted onto Fremont.


 

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Would you pay for a spot in a Park 'n Ride?

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Aurora Village Transit Center
Photo by Jerry Pickard

Metro seeks comments on paid parking permits for single occupancy vehicles at its busiest park 
'n rides

King County Metro is expanding its parking program to include paid single occupant vehicle (SOV) parking permits at many of its most crowded park-and-rides, including the Aurora Village Transit Center and the Shoreline Park 'n Ride.

They are accepting public comment on the public rule that describes the pricing, enforcement of permit parking, and requirements for permit renewals. 

Metro is accepting comments on the new rules through Monday, February 18 at 4pm.



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Celebrate New Year’s Eve with free rides on Metro

Friday, December 21, 2018

Metro transit free on New Year's Eve
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
King County Metro will usher in 2019 with free rides for all customers starting at 7pm on New Year’s Eve.

Rides will be free until 4am on Tuesday, January 1, including DART and Access service.

In addition, Metro will add service to its night routes. The Seattle Streetcar also will be free on New Year's Eve.

“As we ring in another new year together, we are glad to again offer free rides on Metro to help keep the celebration safe for everyone,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine.



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King County Metro to pause bus service Nov 23 in remembrance of transit operator Mark McLaughlin

Tuesday, November 20, 2018


Hundreds of Metro and Sound Transit buses will be in service the afternoon of Nov. 23, and the majority will pull over and stop for a brief moment of reflection in honor of Mark McLaughlin, who was killed in the line of duty Nov. 27, 1998, while driving Route 359 - the Seattle to Shoreline run.

He was shot and his bus plunged from the Aurora Bridge at 3:20pm. One other passenger died, the shooter took his own life and 32 passengers were injured.

“We will always remember Mark McLaughlin’s commitment to public service and the tragedy of how he was taken from us in the line of duty,” said King County Metro General Manager Rob Gannon.
“We’re honoring his memory and reflecting on his life and the challenging work our operators engage in each and every day to carry the public safely to their destinations. Together, the Metro family of 5,000 employees invite everyone to join us as we briefly pull our buses to the curb for a solemn moment of remembrance.”

McLaughlin was 44 when he was killed. He joined Metro in 1979 and was a transit operator for 19 years. Coworkers called him a simple, humble man, a gentle giant who was known for handing out bubblegum to his passengers.

“I was a recent part-time driver when Mark McLaughlin lost his life in a senseless tragedy 20 years ago,” said Ken Price, President of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587. 
“He was known as a kind, teddy bear type of guy, who loved giving bubble gum to his passengers and driving a bus. His portrait now hangs in my office as a daily reminder that we can never back away from our efforts in keeping our Bus Operators safe. The loss of our Brother Mark is still hard to accept, even 20 years later. So, I hope that we all stop and remember our Brother and how he lost his life by just going to work and doing his job.”

Metro created a park in Shoreline and named it for him. See our previous article.

Buses participating in the moment of remembrance will stop only where and when it is safe to do so. Buses will not pause service if they are traveling on highways, in the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel or on roadways where there is no place to safely pull over.

Metro will notify riders via transit alerts and on-board announcements in the days leading up to the moment of remembrance. In publicizing in advance our intent to pause service, Metro also extends its appreciation to riders for respecting and supporting these efforts and assures riders that transit service will quickly restart at the conclusion of the moment of remembrance.

11-22-18 Added link to previous article about Shoreline park named for McLaughlin.


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