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What Seattle bus riders can expect from Metro’s August 29 service change

by on August 28, 2026
A route 8 bus travels east on Denny Way in the afternoon. Photo: SDOT

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When King County Metro’s service change takes effect this Saturday, Aug. 29, Seattle bus riders can expect more frequent, reliable service in several key parts of the city.

Increased bus service in Seattle is funded by the 2020 Seattle Transit Measure, which currently funds 180,000 bus trips per year in the city, including 400+ more weekly trips as part of the Aug. 29 service change.

Route 8 & Denny Way

Along Denny Way, the Route 8 bus is now cruising past traffic all day, providing more than 7,000 daily riders a more dependable trip between Seattle Center, South Lake Union, and Capitol Hill. We installed the final segment of new red bus lanes on Denny Way last weekend, with funding support from the 2024 Seattle Transportation Levy.

Whether you’re headed home from work, grabbing groceries, or enjoying a quick visit to Denny Park or the Center for Wooden Boats, you can count on the bus to get you there now more than ever.

A short timelapse video showing a Route 8 bus heading east on Denny Way in the afternoon. Video: SDOT

North Seattle bus service

In north Seattle, the service change adds bus trips for more reliable connections in neighborhoods like the U District, Laurelhurst, Roosevelt, Lake City, Pinehurst, and Bitter Lake.

Riders will have greater access to the regional Link light rail system, including the existing U District and Roosevelt stations and the future Pinehurst Station. The Aug. 29 service change adds trips to Route 75 and creates two new bus routes: 72 and 77.

A visualization of a future light rail station. People come and go while walking, biking, and rolling to and from the station. Blue skies, clouds, and trees are in the background.
An artist’s rendering of the new Pinehurst Station scheduled to open later this year. Graphic credit: Sound Transit
A map showing a Route 77 bus route in the city of Seattle. The bus route connects along Lake City Way NE while also providing access to the existing Roosevelt Station for light rail, as well as the future Pinehurst Station at NE 130th St.
Map showing the new route 77 and how it connects Seattle communities with the new Pinehurst Station at NE 130th St when it opens. Graphic credit: King County Metro

Our SDOT projects in these north Seattle communities are paving the way for better bus trips by rebuilding our city streets to prioritize transit access and create safer, more comfortable connections for people walking, biking, and rolling.

We’ve been in construction around the NE 125th St and NE 130th St area with a series of projects to expand sidewalks, add bike lanes, calm traffic speeds, and prepare for increased bus travel to the new Pinehurst light rail station. You can read more about these projects on our website or see the map graphic below.

Map showing a variety of projects to improve safety and mobility around N 130th St and NE 125th St in north Seattle and near the future Pinehurst Link light rail station at N 130th St. These include paving, bus improvements, a shared-use path, a Vision Zero safety corridor, and other improvements.
Map of SDOT projects in north Seattle near the N 130th and NE 125th St areas. Graphic: SDOT

The end result is an easier time for you and your neighbors to enjoy local businesses, community gathering places like Northacres Park, and other essential services.

Lots of kids and adults splash at an outdoor park. There is grass and trees in the background, including a small hill. Water sprays up from the ground in the middle of the image.
Kids enjoy Northacres Spraypark on a sunny day. Photo credit: Seattle Parks & Recreation

We hope you found this post informative as we continue to invest in Seattle’s transit system and support your everyday travel. Thank you!

Filed Under: 2024 Seattle Transportation Levy, Busses, Funding & Levies, General, SDOT, Transit, Travel Advisory Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,