Metro Transit’s Fall Service Change Rolls Out Oct. 1

Major restructuring of Metro Transit’s bus network begins Oct. 1. It includes the debut of the and Redmond, streamlining of Eastside bus routes to integrate with the new line and provide more efficient cross-lake services.

Metro’s new fall schedule begins on Saturday, Oct. 1 and continues with the first weekday commute on Oct. 3. Bus riders across Metro’s service area should check the routes they use most often to see what’s new. They can prepare by picking up a new purple timetable, Special Rider Alert brochure, or use the online Trip Planner for some advance research. Be sure to input a date of Oct. 1 or later, when using the Trip Planner.

RapidRide B Line
The B Line is the second of Metro’s six planned RapidRide routes. It travels between the Bellevue and Redmond transit centers, both located in the downtown core of those cities. Along the way, it makes limited stops that include Crossroads, the eastern portion of Overlake, the Microsoft campus, and North Redmond. It operates with 10-15 minute service most of the day.

RapidRide is a new type of Metro bus service that includes newly designed buses, shelters and signs. The distinctive red-and-yellow buses are energy efficient, low-emission hybrid vehicles with low floors and three doors for easier, faster boarding. The B Line also features free Wi-Fi, real-time bus arrival information at major stations, and a passive restraint system for people who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids.

Eastside changes
Many bus routes on the Eastside will be restructured to improve the efficiency of the transit network and to integrate with the new RapidRide B Line. The revisions are primarily in the Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland service areas and include:

• Three new routes – 226 travels through eastern Bellevue between the Eastgate Park-and-Ride and Bellevue Transit Center; 235 connects Bellevue Transit Center and Kingsgate Park-and-Ride via Totem Lake, Rose Hill and Kirkland; and 241 serves south and west Bellevue with service from the Eastgate Park-and-Ride to Bellevue Transit Center;

• Revised routing for routes 211, 221, 234, 238, 240, 245, 246 249, 250, 265 and 930 DART;

• Additional trips on routes 211, 212, 255 and 271, and Sound Transit Express 522 and 545; and

• Elimination of routes 222, 225, 229, 230, 233, 247, 253, 256, 261, 266, 272, and DART 926 to avoid duplication of service.

Bus riders who currently use these routes are strongly encouraged to study the new service, routing, and schedules before Oct. 1 due to the many changes.

Also, over the past 18 months, Metro and Sound Transit have added 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 by the end of the year.

For more information check Metro's webiste.

--Information from Metro Transit press release