Expedia’s Seattle move prompts concerns about congestion, commuting

Thursday’s announcement that Expedia would move its headquarters from Bellevue to Seattle is raising plenty of questions about the impact on traffic and commuting.

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said the company is taking significant steps to soften the impact when it moves in 2018 and keeping as many employees from driving as possible, including offering a free Orca card for transit.

Related: Transit planner defends taking lanes for Seattle trolley

“They’re going to offer financial incentives for walking, busing biking and carpooling they’re going to offer shuttle services, a cap on the number of parking spaces,” Murray said.

Expedia’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said Thursday the average commute for its 3,000 employees would only climb by five or six minutes.

But considering two-thirds of them live on the Eastside, Jim Bak with Kirkland-based traffic company Inrix said the numbers just don’t add up.

“Your morning commute is going to double in the morning rush hour compared to what your used to. And in total, over the course of the year, you’re probably going to spend about three weeks of vacation time just commuting to work alone,” Bak said.

Evenings will be even worse, regardless of whether you’re in a car or bus. Right now it can take commuters upwards of 50 minutes during the evening commute just to get about a mile on Mercer between Seattle Center and I-5.

“What we’re doing to try to add capacity and sort out the Mercer Mess, well I think by today’s announcement, the Mercer Mess isn’t going away. It’s just going to get worse,” Bak said.

There are really only two main ways to access Expedia’s new home in the 40-acre Amgen campus along Seattle’s waterfront between Magnolia and Queen Anne – along Elliot Avenue from Mercer St. or via 15th Avenue West from the north.

Seattle Department of Transportation Director Scott Kubly said the corridor is well-served by rapid transit and many Expedia employees can easily ride the bus to work. He pointed out Seattle’s Prop. 1 passed last year funded expansion of bus service through the corridor as well.

“Rapid Ride D line, which goes from Ballard into downtown, runs about every 7-10 minutes all day, six days a week. It’s a little less frequent on Sundays,” he said.

Kubly said there are plenty of other choices for Expedia employees from carpooling to riding bikes to work along the Burke Gilman trail.

He said the company’s decision validates all of the transportation planning and choices made by the city.

“We have an employer that is saying they’re electing to move into the city because it’s going to be the best strategic decision for them long term, and I think commuting plays a big part in that. But I think it’s also about attracting and retaining talent,” Kubly said.

The company insists many employees are more than willing to use transit or other modes besides their cars.

But Bak warned when employees see how long it can take to get from the Eastside to Interbay, many will bail on the bus.

“By the time you make transfers to do buses, if you want to try to do public transit, you’re looking at an hour-and-a-half to two hour commute. So it’s still going to be better to take your car,” Bak said.

Expedia predicts many of its younger employees will consider moving to Seattle, helping minimize the impact. That’s easier said than done for those who’ve dug in on the Eastside.

But CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said the company will do all it can to make the move as smooth as possible.

“We’re aware that some of our employees commute is going to get longer and we want to make sure that we don’t cause traffic congestion, etcetera. And we’ve got a couple of years to put those plans together, but believe me, we’re dedicated to make it good for the employees and good for the city,” he said.