Showing posts with label transit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label transit. Show all posts

Agenda for the June 8, 2020 Shoreline City Council Meeting

Thursday, June 4, 2020

Shoreline City Hall and Council Chamber
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Agenda for the June 8, 2020 Shoreline City Council Meeting

By Pam Cross

Meetings are held on Zoom and comments need be submitted in advance. Information here.

ACTION ITEM 8(a)

Adopting Public Emergency Resolution No. 460 - Establishing a Program Funding and Implementation Plan for the City’s CARES Act Relief Funds and Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Interagency Agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce for Coronavirus Relief Funds

On April 27, 2020, Governor Inslee announced that the State would award almost $300 million in Federal CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds to local governments not eligible to receive a direct allocation. Shoreline’s award is $1,691,100 for Shoreline’s response to the COVID-19 emergency. This meeting will determine how the Relief Funds awarded will be programmed.

TIME FOR PUBLIC COMMENT WILL FOLLOW THE STAFF REPORT

STUDY ITEM 9(a)

Annual Discussion with the Planning Commission

Council will be joined by the Planning Commission for this annual review of the Planning Commission’s work achieved and work plan projects for the next couple of years. Most of the items on the Department and Planning Commission work plans have been approved by Council and do not have a resource or financial impact, including the Housing Action Plan, Ground-Floor Commercial Development Code Amendments, and the Point Wells Subarea Plan Comprehensive Plan amendments.

STUDY ITEM 9(b)

Discussing Potential Changes to Community Transit (CT) Blue Line

Emmett Heath, Chief Executive Officer of CT, will present an overview of the Blue Line Expansion project, analysis of three proposed alternative routes for the Blue Line in Shoreline, and next steps toward project implementation.

The CT Blue Line currently provides service primarily along State Route 99 (Aurora Avenue) between Everett Station at the northern end and the Aurora Village Transit Center at the southern end. In 2024, CT intends to extend the Blue Line to integrate with Sound Transit’s Link light rail system, which will include new stations in Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace, and Lynnwood. Extending the Blue Line will move the existing stop from the Aurora Village Transit Center to the Shoreline North/185th Link Light Rail Station. Staff recommends (B) keeping the Aurora Village Transit Center with express service to Shoreline North/185th Station.



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Metro and Sound Transit reduce scheduled runs

Friday, March 20, 2020


Photo by Steven H. Robinson
Metro will temporarily move to a Reduced Schedule starting Monday, March 23. 

This shift comes two days after Metro’s pre-scheduled Spring Service Change goes into effect on Saturday, March 21.

The Reduced Schedule is in response to reduced ridership since the emergence of COVID-19. 

These service reductions are also designed to maintain a resilient and sustainable transit system that’s able to keep our region moving every day and to ramp back up when this chapter closes.

Ridership is down almost 50% because of the number of businesses closing and sending employees home to work in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Check the schedules before going out to catch your ride.



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Metro has new disinfectant protocols for busses

Friday, March 6, 2020

Metro worker sanitizing a bus
Photo courtesy Metro Transit
As of Thursday morning, March 5, 2020, all passengers and operators are boarding fully disinfected buses across King County Metro’s system. 

Metro crews are now cleaning every bus every night using 21 newly acquired backpack sprayers distributed evenly across its seven bases. 

This practice will continue for the foreseeable future as part of Metro’s ongoing efforts to support the health and safety of passengers, employees, and community members.

Amid a quickly-evolving situation, Metro’s fast response to novel coronavirus has been at the direction of King County Executive Dow Constantine and in close coordination with Public Health – Seattle and King County.



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Swift buses on 185th

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Swift Blue Line
Photo courtesy Community Transit

As Sound Transit’s Link light rail expands north into Snohomish County, Community Transit is looking at possible upgrades to the Swift Blue Line to give more people easy access to and from the Link light rail and Swift Bus Rapid Transit networks. 

In 2024, the new Lynnwood Link extension will include a station in Shoreline at 185th St and I-5, less than two miles from the Swift Blue Line’s current southern terminal at Aurora Village Transit Center.

Community Transit is now considering options to extend the Swift Blue Line to connect to the Shoreline North/185th light rail station, as well as evaluating improvements to the entire Swift Blue Line corridor.

Your input will help us determine the direction of this project to ensure that it meets the needs of the communities we serve. Learn more and share your thoughts and ideas by February 27.




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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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Community Transit draft plan would run Swift Blue Line to Shoreline North Transit Station

Saturday, October 5, 2019

Swift Blue Line
Community Transit in Snohomish county has released its draft 2019-2024 Transit Development Plan and is seeking public comment through October 31, 2019.

Priorities of the plan include access and connectivity to Sound Transit’s Link light rail, with a focus on expanded service.

The draft plan includes a Swift Blue Line extension which would extend 1.8 miles south along Aurora Avenue to the Shoreline North 185th Link light rail station.

The Swift Blue Line currently comes into the Aurora Village transit center on N 200th. The City of Shoreline has long made overtures to CT to bring the Swift line to the park and ride at N 192nd on Aurora, but CT was not responsive.

Swift Blue Line has run from Everett to Shoreline's Aurora Village transit center since 2009, provides about 5,500 rides each weekday, and served more than 1.75 million passengers in 2018.

At the Aurora Village transit center, riders can transfer to Metro routes to three colleges, express runs to downtown Seattle, and multiple other destinations in King county.

The Draft TDP was presented to the Community Transit Board of Directors October 3 and is available for public comment through October 31. The report can be found online.

Public comment may be made in several ways:
People can offer their comments before the Board of Directors at a public hearing at 3pm, Thursday, November 7, 2019 in the Community Transit Board Room, 7100 Hardeson Road, Everett.



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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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Sound Transit community meetings in LFP and Shoreline on Bus Rapid Transit

Sunday, September 23, 2018



Residents are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming community meetings to share feedback on the Sound Transit SR 522 / NE 145th Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project.

During these meetings, new information will be shared about project refinements based on continued technical work and public feedback gathered last May.

Each meeting will focus on the refinements specific to that community.

Each public meeting includes an afternoon and evening session, so feel free to attend whichever time best fits your schedule.

A brief presentation will be shared about 30 minutes after the start time of each meeting. Come share your input on parking, station locations and traffic lane configurations in your community!

Lake Forest Park Community Meeting
Tuesday, September. 25, 1 – 3pm and 6 – 8pm
Lake Forest Park City Hall Council Chambers // 17425 Ballinger Way NE

Seattle and Shoreline Community Meeting
Wednesday, October 17, 1 – 3pm and 6 – 8pm
Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Church // 14724 1st Ave NE

If you haven't already, RSVP for one of the community meetings at sr522brt.participate.online. You can also learn more about the project and share your thoughts with us online if you cannot attend any of the meetings. Feedback on refinement options will be collected through October 19, 2018.

Come to the meeting (or participate online) for your first opportunity to:
  • Learn about the project background, timeline, and how to stay informed
  • Help Sound Transit develop Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along the I-405 corridor
  • Learn how your input from May informed new refinement options
  • Give feedback on project refinement options
  • Talk with project staff to learn more and share your ideas
For more information


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Metro Transit to become independent county department

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Rob Gannon named Director of Metro
Photo courtesy King County
King County Metro, recognized this month as the best large transit system in North America, will become an independent County department with today’s unanimous approval of legislation by the Metropolitan King County Council. 

King County has been responsible for public transit since the voter-approved merger of the county with the Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle (Metro). 

Metro Transit has been a division of the King County Department of Transportation (KCDOT) since 1994. 

The adopted legislation will make Metro Transit responsible for all of the functions currently in the Transit Division of KCDOT as well as the Marine Division of KCDOT.

Rob Gannon, who has been the General Manager of Metro, will become the department’s first Director and General Manager when the legislation takes effect on Jan. 1, 2019.

“This change strengthens Metro Transit by giving it the organizational flexibility to meet the rapidly growing needs of transit riders,” said Council Vice Chair Claudia Balducci, who serves as the chair of the Council’s Mobility Committee. 
“Mr. Gannon has been an effective leaders and I am confident in his ability to continue to build an efficient and adaptable transit service that works as part of an integrated transportation system to improve mobility for all residents in King County.”

The legislation also calls for the new Metro Transit Department to emphasize:
  • Innovation in the development, planning and delivery of mobility and transit services around the county,
  • Performance standards to meet the increasing demand for transit among King County’s residents, and,
  • Foundational commitments to equity and addressing disparity through transit services.
The Council unanimously approved Gannon’s appointment as Metro Director at today’s meeting. Gannon who, served as Metro’s Deputy General Manager from 2011 to 2013, has been Metro’s General Manager since 2016. 

“General Manager Rob Gannon is an excellent choice to lead Metro Transit. I trust that he, along with the incredible staff at Metro, will continue providing first-rate transit service while pushing to improve regional mobility,” said Council Chair Joe McDermott.  
“I look forward to working with Mr. Gannon as we tackle our transportation challenges and opportunities.” 

The riders who board Metro’s 200 bus routes, use a Metro vanpool, walk onboard the King County Water Taxi, or reserve a ride on an Access paratransit van, will not see any changes in service when Metro becomes a county department.



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Seafair Torchlight Parade in Seattle Saturday night

Saturday, July 28, 2018


The 69th annual Seafair Torchlight Parade is Saturday, July 28, 2018, starting at 7:30pm.

Each year on one magical summer night, thousands of spectators gather to watch as more than 100 parade units march, float and dance in celebration of Seattle.

The 2018 Alaska Airlines Torchlight Parade will feature entries from clowns and pirates to drill teams and equestrian units. In it’s 69th year, the parade continues to highlight and celebrate communities from the greater Seattle’s diverse cultural landscape including Children’s Friendship Festival, Indigenouz PlaceMakerz, Sikhs of Washington and many more.

The parade begins at Seattle Center and continues down 4th Avenue to South Washington Street. NEW THIS YEAR: a Beer Garden at Westlake Center for parade viewers 21+!

TICKETS
This event is free and open to the public, with reserved seating available for purchase online.
Grandstand Seating: $60
Roadside Seating: $35

Watch the parade live on KIRO 7 and KIRO7.com

METRO TRANSIT ADVISORY
On Saturday, July 28, from approximately 5:00pm until 10:30pm transit service in the Seattle Center, downtown Seattle and adjacent areas will be rerouted with expected delays during the Seafair Torchlight Run and Parade.

While most buses that operate on surface streets in the Seattle Center and downtown Seattle areas will be rerouted at some point, riding transit is still the best way to get to Torchlight and other events, as many streets will be closed, traffic will be congested and parking will be limited. Even rerouted buses still go to within 1-2 blocks of the parade route. Using transit service in the downtown tunnel can you through town quickly.

Some Torchlight-related transit service revisions started Friday evening when Pine Street closed and bus service was rerouted due to the parade grandstand placement at 4th Ave. The Pine Street closure and associated transit reroutes last until about 3:00pm on Sunday.


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King county Metro to increase service on Rapid Ride E in Shoreline

Thursday, July 26, 2018



With investments by Amazon and City of Seattle, King County Metro will offer more frequent, reliable service on some of its most popular routes

King County Metro will offer more frequent and reliable bus service on some of its most popular routes beginning this fall thanks to significant investments by Amazon and the City of Seattle.

Amazon's investment will provide 22 additional weekday trips for two years across some of Metro’s busiest routes serving West Seattle, Shoreline, Ballard, and Capitol Hill. The additional service provides room for roughly 1,700 weekday boardings, and includes the RapidRide E Line and C Line, and Routes 8, 40, 62, and 63.

The additional service hours will be part of Metro’s September service change, which will add 88,000 service hours annually on more than 50 bus routes. This includes 20,000 hours under a separate partnership with the City of Seattle, thanks to the 2014 Seattle Transportation Benefit District.

“We will provide faster, more reliable transit service on some of our most popular routes, thanks to our partnerships with Amazon and the City of Seattle,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Demand for transit continues to grow throughout our region, and we are stepping up to deliver.”


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Mass casualty training at Shoreline Community College - Metro rerouting buses

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Training this week at SCC
Shoreline Fire is doing MCI (Mass Casualty Incident) Training Tuesday through Friday at Shoreline Community College from 12-4pm each day. 

This training will involve departments from Northshore, Bothell, Woodinville, Snohomish County and Seattle.

Thanks to the college for letting us utilize their facilities and for participating with campus security, volunteers/actors and other services.

Therefore, from Tuesday, July 17 through Friday, July 20, from 12:30pm until 3:30pm each day, Metro routes 5, 330, 331 and 345 will be rerouted off of the Shoreline College campus during an event.

During this time, these routes will begin and end at the stop on eastbound N Innis Arden Way, just west of Greenwood Ave N and will not serve the stops on westbound N Innis Arden Way or on the Shoreline College campus.

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.



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Sound Transit public meetings for Bus Rapid Transit project through Lake Forest Park

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

New parking garage to be built in Lake Forest Park
Sound Transit is holding two public meetings in May and an online open house throughout May and June, as the first phase of outreach for the SR 522 / NE 145th Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project. 

Attend one of the events below to learn more about the project and share your thoughts with Sound Transit:

Bothell Public Meeting
Wednesday, May 30, 2018, 6:00 – 8:00pm (presentation at 6:30pm)
Northshore Senior Center // 10201 East Riverside Drive, Bothell

Lake Forest Park Public Meeting
Thursday, May 31, 2018, 6:00 – 8:00pm (presentation at 6:30pm)
Brookside Elementary School // 17447 37th Avenue NE, Lake Forest Park

During these meetings, you’ll have the opportunity to:
  • Learn more about the project purpose, goals, and schedule
  • Give feedback on potential project features
  • Talk with Sound Transit project staff to learn more and share your ideas
Online feedback - May 30 through June 13, 2018

The SR 522/NE 145th BRT Project will provide fast, frequent and reliable bus-based transit service from north Lake Washington communities to the new Shoreline South / 145th light rail station. 

Riders will be able to transfer between the SR 522 / NE 145th BRT, I-405 BRT, Link light rail and other transit service provided by Sound Transit, Community Transit, and King County Metro.

Approved by the region’s voters through the Sound Transit 3 plan, the representative project includes nine stations in the north Lake Washington area, with stops in Seattle, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and Bothell, with every other trip running to Woodinville.

Sound Transit will build a parking garage in or near Lake Forest Park Town Center, as well as in Kenmore and Bothell.

Planning for this project is underway and your participation is important. 
To start construction as fast as possible, the Sound Transit project team has established an ambitious planning and environmental analysis timeline. Throughout 2018, Sound Transit staff will engage with neighboring communities to learn about their priorities and ideas for the project.

It’s critical for the community to engage during this early project development phase, as this feedback will help shape the refined project.
More information HERE or 206-398-5470 or email



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Transit service to the Issaquah Alps returns Apr 21

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Trailhead Direct – a successful pilot project that provides transit service to trailheads along the Interstate 90 corridor – returns April 21 with expanded service in Seattle to more hiking destinations.

The public-private partnership between King County Metro Transit, King County Parks, the Seattle Department of Transportation, REI Co-op, and Clif Bar and Company will provide weekend and holiday service every 30 minutes starting at the Mount Baker Transit Station in South Seattle to trailheads in the Issaquah Alps. A second route to Mount Si and Mount Teneriffe will start May 19 at Sound Transit’s Capitol Hill Link light rail station.

“We are making it easier than ever to explore the Issaquah Alps without having to own or drive a car,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Our creative public-private partnership will connect more people and families to the spectacular mountain forests our region is famous for.”

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said,

“We are fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, and Trailhead Direct makes it easier for all our residents and visitors to access our incredible outdoors using transit. We are excited about this innovative public-private partnership that is creating new opportunities for all who call Seattle home to get outside and explore our mountains."

The new service will operate 19- and 27-seat vans with capacity for two bicycles for each trip. Passengers pay Metro’s standard off-peak adult fare of $2.50 until July, when Metro implements a $2.75 flat fare. Passengers can pay with an ORCA card, Transit Go Mobile ticket, or cash.



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County Council approves simplifying Metro Transit fares

Friday, November 17, 2017

Photo by Steven H. Robinson
The Metropolitan King County Council unanimously approved steps simplifying Metro Transit's complex fare structure to a flat $2.75 adult fare.

The new fare plan eliminates a payment system that fluctuated between time and distance and could cost an adult rider between the ages 19-64 anywhere from $2.50 to $3.25 a ride.

“We’ve heard from the community, and we are responding by making riding Metro Transit in King County easier and more convenient,” said Council Vice Chair Rod Dembowski, chair of the Council’s Transportation Economy and Environment Committee, and prime sponsor of the legislation. 
“Riders, especially ones new to the system, should have the confidence to board a Metro bus and know the required fare. I hope the flat fare makes using Metro more understandable and encourages first-time users to ride Metro.”

The new adult fare does not affect the roughly 1 in 3 Metro riders who pay ORCA Lift— Metro’s low income fare program— or youth, senior, and disabled fares. 

The proposal does away with zone and peak-period fares.

Fare simplification was recommended by the Regional Fare Forum, a group of elected officials from King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties, tasked with simplifying and modernizing the region’s transit fare policies. From March to June of 2017, Metro Transit engaged riders in an extensive survey and outreach process to develop the flat fare concept.

Metro Transit’s General Manager Rob Gannon said “Customers can expect better service overall, with faster boardings, reduced delays and improved safety due to fewer disputes over payment when the $2.75 flat fare takes effect.”

The Council also voted for additional funding to assist low income riders who are not covered by ORCA Lift and directed Metro to increase efforts to enroll eligible adults into ORCA Lift before new fares take effect.

The new fare structure will go into effect in July of 2018.



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Will Metro's options for Shoreline and LFP work for you? Take the survey!

Monday, August 21, 2017

What if you could take a bus?
Take the survey to help Metro plan for local service
What if you could take the bus to get around in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park?

Metro conducted a survey about transportation needs for people who live, work, or go to school in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park.

Based on community input, Metro developed two innovative transportation options.

Now we want to know if you think these services would help you get where you want to go in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park.

Have a Say! Learn more about the service options, take the survey and tell us what you think by Monday, September 4.

  • Option 1 Community Ride A reservation-based service that travels within a specific service area based on where people want to go.
  • Option 2 Community Van Metro vans for local group trips scheduled by a Community Transportation Coordinator to meet local needs.

Complete the online survey



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Metro introduces mobile ticket app

Saturday, December 10, 2016


The region’s first-ever mobile ticket app – Transit GO Ticket – allows you to buy and redeem transit tickets on your mobile device without needing cash to ride.

Under a pilot by King County Metro Transit, tickets can be purchased for use on Metro buses, King County Water Taxi, Seattle Streetcar and Sound Transit’s Link light rail and Sounder trains.

It is more convenient for infrequent riders – including visitors, sports fans or those who would otherwise pay cash. Use the app to buy a Transit GO Ticket on an Apple, Android or Windows mobile device and show it to a transit operator, fare collector or fare inspector.



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Metro busses get stuck on 205th during morning commute

Looking east in the 8600 block of N 205th
Photo courtesy Shoreline Police 

Metro 301 articulated busses had a terrible time trying to go up the slight hill on N 205th, west of Aurora, during the morning commute.

Three different articulated busses got stuck on the hill at the same time.

Shoreline police blocked off the hill until the busses could be cleared.

The 301 starts its run at the transit center on N 200th, then makes a stop at 8th NW before it circles back to the Shoreline park n ride at 192nd and heads to downtown Seattle.

Commuters had a longer trip than they bargained for.

KOMO had a camera on scene and got a video of the whole thing. See it here.



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Take the Metro survey about bus service in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park

Monday, November 21, 2016

Do you live, work, or go to school in Shoreline or Lake Forest Park?

Tell Metro about how you use or would like to use public transportation to get around. 
In September 2014, Metro reduced evening and night service on Route 331, which connects Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, Shoreline, and the Shoreline Community College campus.

Now Metro’s Alternative Services Demonstration Program is working with the communities of Lake Forest Park and Shoreline and with Shoreline Community College to identify transit gaps that might have been created by this reduction.

The survey covers much more than cuts to Route 331, asking questions about where you want to go in Shoreline, what barriers you see to taking the bus, what time of day you want a bus, what methods of transportation you currently use, etc.

It only takes a few moments to complete the survey.



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Online survey to help Metro learn about transit gaps after cuts to Route 331

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Aurora Village Transit Center
Photo courtesy Metro Transit

In September 2014, Metro reduced evening and night service on Route 331, which connects Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, Shoreline, and the Shoreline Community College campus.

Now Metro's Alternative Demonstration Program is working with the communities of Lake Forest Park, Shoreline, and Shoreline Community College to identify transit gaps that might have been created by this reduction.

Do you live, work, or go to school in Shoreline or Lake Forest Park? Tell us about how you use or would like to use public transportation to get around.

Complete the online survey by November 27, 2016 to help Metro learn about transit gaps after September 2014 cuts to Route 331.




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