I got yet another post up on the Urbanist, this one a report on an East Link open house about the Downtown Bellevue segment which I attended on Tuesday night.
Some interesting stuff: - I like how the people make three lines for each door. Now that's something we don't have in Seattle. Since virtually all of the buses are pay-as-you-board, only a single line is formed, usually going towards the end of the bus. And even such lines are only found during peak, rarely off-peak and never on weekends. Bellevue TC or the transit tunnel have the finest examples in the region. For the services that have all-door boarding, the crowd just waits at the stop then boards when it's time to go. No nice lines. I'm a big advocate of pay-at-the-station buses since they can essentially load twice the amount of people per door as pay-as-you-board (and quadruple it if there's two doors and so on). And it fills the back of the buses which otherwise tend to be empty. So many times I've heard the "please move back" announcement when there were even seats left in the back. It's just so efficient!
- It's amusing to see how organized we are in the Pacific Northwest. We wait in lines without cutting, we wait for the next bus when it's full without making a cake out of it, we pay our fares (or at least most of the time, umum you know who you are). In France it's exactly the opposite.
The lines at Bellevue Transit Center are primarily for the 532/535 Sound Transit commuter services. I've never seen such orderly boarding on any other route, at any other busy stop, in the system. Must be something about the politeness of middle aged, suburbanite, tech worker commuters. It's a little TOO orderly for me... I usually stand off to the side and board last.
While 533/535 does see pretty long lines, lines for the 550, 271/555/556 (Westbound) and the 560/566/567 (Southbound) have been pretty long lately. Lines at local buses are much smaller. As for RapidRide? People just hang around the bus stop while the bus is laying over then board whenever the doors open. Totally different method. As for me and bus lines? I generally just transit fan until the very last second when I get on the bus right after the few in line, except when I know the line is going to be long and I have to get in it in order to have a spot on the bus (ie. 550 eastbound at IDS around 4:30-5:00 on a weekday).
Puget Sound Bikeshare, the name of Seattle's to-be bikeshare system (which will open later this year) is looking for community input for station locations. I urge you to add your suggestions and/or vote for stations on This website.
Post by SS San Mateo on Jan 14, 2015 9:36:44 GMT -8
Seattle dog's rush hour ride: on the bus, by herself, weekly
By Lindsay Cohen Published: Jan 12, 2015 at 6:29 PM PST Last Updated: Jan 13, 2015 at 9:24 PM PST
SEATTLE -- Public transit in Seattle has gone to the dogs.
Commuters in Belltown report seeing a Black Labrador riding the bus alone in recent weeks. The 2-year old has been spotted roaming the aisles, hopping onto seats next to strangers, and even doing her part to clean the bus -- by licking her surroundings.
"All the bus drivers know her. She sits here just like a person does," said commuter Tiona Rainwater, as she rode the bus through downtown Monday. "She makes everybody happy. How could you not love this thing?"
When the dog got off the bus - without an owner - at a dog park last week, it piqued the curiosity of local radio host Miles Montgomery of KISW-FM.
"It doesn't really appear to have an owner. The dog gets off at the dog park. I just look out the window and I'm like, 'did that just happen?'" Montgomery asked. "She was most concerned about seeing out the window, and I couldn't figure out what that was. It was really just about seeing where her stop was."
Turns out the dog, Eclipse, doesn't always ride the bus alone. She visits the dog park a few times a week, sometimes with her owner.
Post by SS San Mateo on Feb 25, 2015 13:43:50 GMT -8
Vashon buses to be replaced with hybrids
by NATALIE MARTIN, Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber Editor
Feb 24, 2015 at 1:00PM updated at 5:57PM
Vashon’s small fleet of King County Metro buses will be replaced with new hybrid models this month.
The nine Metro buses that serve Vashon are overdue for replacement, according to Jeff Switzer, a spokesman for the county Department of Transportation. Vashon’s current buses hit the road 18 years ago, and the typical life for a bus is 12 to 15 years, Switzer said.
“By maintaining them carefully, we were able to get more years out of them, but they reach a point of costing more to maintain than replace,” he said.
Vashon’s nine new buses — including three that will be stationed off-island as backup — will be 35-foot hybrid-electric buses that allow the engine to completely cut off when there is no need for power.
Post by SS San Mateo on Mar 18, 2015 7:14:14 GMT -8
8 injured as construction crane load hits Metro bus, sign on 520
By KOMO Staff Published: Mar 17, 2015 at 10:36 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 18, 2015 at 7:34 AM PDT
SEATTLE - Eight people were injured Tuesday night when a Metro bus and a large freeway sign were struck by a load being lifted by a crane at the Highway 520 construction project, the Washington State Patrol reports.
WSDOT officials say a contractor was using the crane to lift large pipes off a flatbed trailer near Lake Washington Boulevard when one of the pipes in the load drifted into oncoming westbound traffic, slamming into the bus then ricocheting up into a highway sign, bringing it down on the roadway and the bus.
Twenty people were on the bus at the time of the incident just after 10 p.m., a spokesperson for the Seattle Fire Department said.
Eight patients were evaluated by firefighters and transported to area hospitals with various injuries, including a woman who was temporarily trapped. None of the injuries was considered life-threatening.
I don't understand why KCM operates diesel buses for ST when they are trying to get all hybrid or electric by 2020 for their operations. 9806K, operated by King Co. Metro, 2012 D60LFR with no streamlined roof:
I heard the XDE60 operated by KCM will not go on there 550 that much because they have problems with platforms in the DSTT. This is first 60 ft buses operated by Pierce Transit since the transfer the 1999 D60LF to Community Transit. 64102P, operated by Pierce Transit, 2014 XDE60:
Post by Starsteward on Jan 30, 2016 18:59:31 GMT -8
Very nice looking project and undoubtedly a welcomed addition to Seattle's public transit plan. Maybe the company that built Seattle's U-Link, especially the tunnel part, could have given the folks at 'Translink' here on the Lower Mainland a tip or two about getting the tunnel bored for the Evergreen Line project done, on time and under budget.
Very nice looking project and undoubtedly a welcomed addition to Seattle's public transit plan. Maybe the company that built Seattle's U-Link, especially the tunnel part, could have given the folks at 'Translink' here on the Lower Mainland a tip or two about getting the tunnel bored for the Evergreen Line project done, on time and under budget.
No they should help Seattle Tunnel Panters on the SR99 tunnel because there are massive problems going on like delays of two years of not tunnelling and sink holes.
Very nice looking project and undoubtedly a welcomed addition to Seattle's public transit plan. Maybe the company that built Seattle's U-Link, especially the tunnel part, could have given the folks at 'Translink' here on the Lower Mainland a tip or two about getting the tunnel bored for the Evergreen Line project done, on time and under budget.
No they should help Seattle Tunnel Panters on the SR99 tunnel because there are massive problems going on like delays of two years of not tunnelling and sink holes.
Translink also suffered delays in tunnelling due to sink holes, but your point is well taken.
Very nice looking project and undoubtedly a welcomed addition to Seattle's public transit plan. Maybe the company that built Seattle's U-Link, especially the tunnel part, could have given the folks at 'Translink' here on the Lower Mainland a tip or two about getting the tunnel bored for the Evergreen Line project done, on time and under budget.
No they should help Seattle Tunnel Panters on the SR99 tunnel because there are massive problems going on like delays of two years of not tunnelling and sink holes.
No they should help Seattle Tunnel Panters on the SR99 tunnel because there are massive problems going on like delays of two years of not tunnelling and sink holes.
Today is opening day for the new LINK Light Rail Extension to Capitol Hill and UW. Here's the artice. Click on the link below to get to the actualy article complete with pictures.
Light rail extension to UW opens BY KOMO NEWS STAFF SATURDAY, MARCH 19TH 2016
SEATTLE - The new light rail extension to Seattle's Capitol Hill and the University of Washington opened with a large celebration and fanfare on Saturday.
"It's going to change this neighborhood, it's going to change Seattle," said Mayor Ed Murray outside the Capitol Hill station.
"This is a huge day in the history of our region and we have a lot to celebrate," said King County Executive Dow Constantine. "We are giving ourselves the high-capacity transit system we have always needed."
With a countdown and a mock "start up" button, the first light rail train roared into UW's Husky Stadium station to a cheering crowd.
"It's stylish, I'm excited for the trip honestly," said passenger Kyle Hepworth.
"We live along the light rail in south Seattle and this is amazing, very convenient," said passenger Megan Spielbusch.
Constantine said the project came in $200 million dollars under budget and opened six months ahead of schedule.
The link light rail line now runs from Husky Stadium to Sea-Tac airport, a ride that takes about 45 minutes for the entire trip.
"Now I can ride my bike over here and get on the train and go to UW, I work at UW so this is really nice for me," said passenger Alexander Miller.
"From now on, you won't have to sit in traffic on that Ship Canal Bridge. From now on, you won't have to build an extra half-hour into your day, just in case there's a traffic jam," Constantine said. "From now on, you will be able to get to where you want to be on time, every time."
King County Metro has also had to change some bus routesin Northeast Seattle to serve the new stations. Those changes go into effect next Saturday, March 26.
Sound Transit plans to open another 1.6 mile light rail extension later this fall. It will run from the Sea-Tac Airport station to the new Angle Lake Station near 200th Street in Seatac.
Sound Transit says by 2023, it will operate nearly 50 miles of light rail lines extending to Lynnwood in the north, Bellevue and Redmond's Overlake area to the east and the Kent/Des Moines area in the south.
An interesting article in the Islands Sounder about getting to the Anacortes ferry terminal from Sea-Tac Airport using public transportation. We've seen this sort of thing before - getting from downtown Seattle to downtown Vancouver on public transportation - but I always find it interesting.
From SeaTac to the ferry on a shoestring
Fri Dec 13th, 2019 1:30am by David Hampshire
Did I tell you I know of a way to get from SeaTac to the Anacortes ferry terminal for $3.50? That’s right, three dollars and fifty cents. Interested? If not, go to the next story. But if you’re still with me, there are a few things you need to know.
First, I am an unabashed cheapskate. Second, I’m a mass-transit junkie. Third, I’ve only done this on weekdays. Fourth, I travel light — carrying only a large backpack and a canvas briefcase. Fifth, I’m retired, so taking an extra hour or two doesn’t bother me a bit. Sixth, my daughter thinks I’m crazy. And seventh, I’m a card-carrying senior citizen and take advantage of reduced fares, so you could be paying more — maybe seven or eight bucks. But that’s still a screamin’ deal, right?
Don’t get me wrong. The Bellair shuttle is comfortable, and I’ve ridden it several times. But as we all know, its schedule doesn’t match up with the ferry’s arrival and departure times. Ditto with the flight times at SeaTac. So you could be waiting an hour or more for the next bus. Plus, it’s boring. And did I tell you that I’m a cheapskate? So it wasn’t long before I started looking for alternatives. And this is what I learned.
First, getting from SeaTac to downtown Seattle is a piece of cake. It’s a bit of a walk from the terminal to the Link light-rail station, but there’s a free airport shuttle that will take you there. We’re counting, so let’s make that vehicle number one.
At the Link kiosk, you choose your destination — Westlake — and buy a reduced-fare (senior) ticket for a buck. The train runs every 10 minutes, at least during business hours, so the wait isn’t an issue.
To make this transaction legal, you need to buy an ORCA Regional Reduced Fare Permit. I think I paid three bucks for mine at the Westlake Station information desk. It has paid for itself many times over. As far as I can tell, the permit doesn’t expire until I do.
Anyway, Link takes you to Westlake in about 40 minutes. It can get a little crowded during peak times, but hey, that’s why it’s called mass transit. We’re still counting, so that’s vehicle number two.
You get off at Westlake, ride the escalators to the street level and head for the corner of 4th Avenue and Pine Street. I have no sense of direction, so I can’t tell you which corner the bus stop is on, but it’s next to a patch of concrete the locals call Westlake Park. You wait for the Sound Transit express bus to Everett Station. During business hours it runs every 15 minutes. Depending on the time of day, it’s either the 510 or the 512. The 510 makes fewer stops and gets there a bit faster.
The ride to Everett generally takes about an hour, but it can be 30 minutes longer during rush hour. If you’re a senior, it will cost you another buck. So you’re up to two bucks and three vehicles.
At Everett Station, you transfer to the Skagit Transit 90X (express) bus to Mt. Vernon. These buses run at least every hour in the mornings and afternoons, every two hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you have to wait, there are benches inside the station. The 90X bus takes about an hour to get to Mt. Vernon. As a senior, it will set you back another buck. So you’re up to three bucks and four vehicles.
At Mt. Vernon Station you’re going to transfer to the Skagit Transit 40X (express) bus to March’s Point. These buses also run every hour. If you have to wait, there are seats, restrooms and a coffee shop inside the station. But if you have 30 minutes or more, you can walk 100 yards or so to the Skagit River Brewery and meditate over a Bodhizafa IPA. The brewery is right next to the tracks, and if you’re lucky you’ll get to feel the walls shake as a freight train comes barreling through.
The standard fare on the 40X bus is a buck, but as a senior, it’s fifty cents. Ask for a transfer. You’ll need it at March’s Point. So now you’re in your fifth vehicle and you’ve spent three dollars and a half. At the March’s Point Station, which is near the road to the Anacortes oil refineries, you’re going to use that transfer to take your sixth vehicle, the Skagit Transit 410 bus, to the ferry. If you study the schedule, you’ll notice that the 410 leaves March’s Point at the same time that the 40X arrives, or five minutes later, depending on the time of day. So you’ll need to alert the 40X driver that you have to make that connection. If the 40X is running late, the driver will call ahead and ask the 410 driver to wait.
By the time you reach the ferry, you’ll have spent maybe an hour or two longer than if you had taken the Bellair shuttle. By now you’re thinking that my daughter is right, that I am crazy. But hear me out. First, these days I’m almost never in a hurry unless I really have to pee. One of my favorite bumper stickers says, “Go around me. I’m retired.” Second, I get to talk to more people and see a lot more of the scenery than if I’m riding straight down the Interstate in a mechanized cocoon. Third, making mass-transit connections can be a great adrenaline rush. Sometimes, when I get off one vehicle, I don’t know whether I’m arriving just in time to catch the next one or watch it disappear in the distance.
Fourth, you may have noticed that I like to count things, including the number of vehicles I ride in a day. It’s a game. More is better. From my home in Salt Lake City, it takes two vehicles (bus and light rail) to get to the airport. The plane to SeaTac makes three. Add the six between SeaTac and the ferry (see above) and I’m up to nine. The ferry makes 10. A ride from the Friday Harbor terminal makes 11. My record is 12: During a recent trip, there was an accident blocking the Link track that forced me to transfer to the 106 bus between the Rainier Beach and Mt. Baker light-rail stations.