There’s been a ton of transit changes this week!
Transit agencies across the region are responding to decreased ridership since the onset of COVID-19 by decreasing service, suspending fare collection, and changing the way passengers board. There’s also been planned service changes and major construction completion.
Transit planning resources, such as Google Maps, One Bus Away and other apps and websites, may not have accurate schedule information during the temporary reduced schedules.
In case you missed some, here is an overview of transit changes impacting Seattle riders.
King County Metro Buses
Planned March Service Changes – On Saturday, March 21, Metro added six new bus routes and new stops in Kenmore, Bothell, Woodinville, Kirkland, and Redmond as part of a planned service update to better connect the north east side.
Temporary service reduction – On Monday, March 23, Metro temporarily reduced service in response to the drop in ridership since the onset of COVID-19 and to maintain a resilient and sustainable transit system.
Metro has designed reductions to maintain some service on as many routes as possible, acknowledging that people rely on these routes to access medical care, grocery stores, and other vital services.
- Seattle bus routes which will no longer run – Routes 9, 29, 37, 47, 78, and 125. In other parts of King County, routes 200, 208, 237, 308, and 330 will also stop running.
- Seattle bus routes with reduced service – Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 24, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 36, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 48, 49, 50, 55, 56, 57, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67, 70, 74, 75, 76, 77, 106,107, 116, 120, 124, 177, 316, 345, 355, 372, 373, 980, 987, 988, 994, and 995.
Enter and exit through rear doors – to promote social distancing and protect the health of bus operators and riders, passengers who are able should get on and off the bus through the rear doors. Customers with mobility devises, or who require use of boarding ramp, should continue using front doors.
Fare Free – King County Metro has suspended fare requirements until further notice.
Sound Transit Express Buses
Temporary service reduction – On Monday, Sound Transit Express bus service started operating on a reduced schedule in response to drop in ridership since the onset of COVID-19.
- Sound Transit Express Bus Routes with reduced service – 522, 541, 542, 545, 550, 554, 555 and 556.
Enter and exit through rear doors – to promote social distancing and protect the health of bus operators and riders, passengers who are able should get on and off the bus through the rear doors. Customers with mobility devises or who require use of boarding ramp should continue using front doors.
Fare Free – Sound Transit express buses have suspended fare requirements until further notice.
Link Light Rail
Connect 2020 construction completion – Sound Transit completed Connect 2020 construction on Sunday, March 22. The Link light rail is back to operating on two tracks, ending the transfer at Pioneer Square station and lifting the bicycle restrictions.
Temporary service reduction – Since Monday, trains will run about every 14 minutes, similar to the schedule during Connect 2020 construction.
Fare free – Link light rail has suspended fare requirements until further notice.
Sounder Train
Temporary reduced service – On weekdays, there will be eight daily round trips on the South Line and two on the North Line. Visit Sound Transit to see times and weekend schedule.
Fare free – Sounder Train suspended fare requirements until further notice.
Seattle Streetcar
Temporary reduced service – The First Hill Streetcar will run every 15-minutes. For the time being, South Lake Union Streetcar service is being suspended.
Fare free – Seattle Streetcar suspended fare requirements until further notice.