kingcountymetrobus.jpg
The largest service change in the history of King County Metro begins this weekend and officials have warned riders to expect delays. (AP photo)

Metro transit prepares for largest service change in history

BY Brandi Kruse  on September 26, 2012 @ 2:05 pm (Updated: 3:23 pm - 9/26/12 )

The largest service change in the history of King County Metro begins this weekend and officials have warned riders to expect delays.

In an attempt to streamline operations and cut costs, dozens of bus routes will change effective Saturday, Sept. 29. Delays are expected Monday and Tuesday as all riders adjust to pay-on-entry.

"Next week the service is going to be a little slower in downtown. Be patient," said King County Metro Transit General Manager Kevin Desmond. "We think after this period of transition things will settle down."

Metro will also eliminate the Free Ride Area downtown, a program that has been in place for nearly 40 years. Desmond said getting rid of free rides will raise roughly $2 million in revenue annually, but comes at a cost for the poor.

"Clearly there is an impact on people with very little income; people who don't have the means to pay a fare," he said. "That's why we are putting in a circulator bus with the City of Seattle. That will help mitigate the loss of the ride free area for people who just can't pay a fare."

Also on Saturday, Metro will begin new rapid lines serving West Seattle and Ballard.

To help transit customers adjust to the changes, Metro will distribute updated schedules and route information. Roughly 160 Metro employees will be on hand at downtown transit hubs to answer rider questions and address concerns.

To see if your bus route is affected, visit metro.kingcounty.gov.

Brandi Kruse, KIRO Radio Reporter
Brandi Kruse is a reporter for KIRO Radio who is as spontaneous and adventurous in her free time as she is on the job. Brandi arrived at KIRO Radio in March 2011 and has already collected three regional Edward R. Murrow awards for her reporting.
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Comments (9)


  • Add A Comment

  • CH wrote...
    We don't get to sit next to a drunken bum anymore? . . . .
    September 26, 2012 3:18 pm
    that how you can tell your in Seattle. What up? http://youtu.be/f1NOSGV9m6g
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    How do you sit next to yourself?
    September 27, 2012 5:15 am
    ....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpygolkyone wrote...
    My Two Cents...........
    September 26, 2012 3:35 pm
    These bureaucrats piss away 2 million dollars in an afternoon with all their shenanigans.

    The $2 million they are going to pocket is going to cost business and riders $2 BILLION dollars in lost time and productivity.

    Again....government spending a dollar to save a dime. Someone fresh out of college probably thought this one up?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    Metro transit prepares for largest service change in history
    September 26, 2012 4:03 pm
    I was hoping that I'd read that is was going away. I echo hpygolkyone's comments. Metro/Sound Transit is a piss hole for our transportation money. The officials running the scam should be thrown in jail along with all of the bus drivers that have conspired to drive in the left lane EVERYWHERE to harass the other commuters. A-holes....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Citizen of Krazy Town wrote...
    A "circulator bus"? HOLD THE PHONE CHUCK
    September 26, 2012 5:00 pm
    The deal was, raise taxes, AGAIN, and nix the freeloader express. Who is paying for this circulator bus? Did the taxpayers get lied to AGAIN?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Snout wrote...
    The ride free area.
    September 26, 2012 6:06 pm
    How many people actually used it that could pay if they had too? People aren't regularly taking the bus from The Market or the shopping district into the business district. It's the bums that ride for a free place to stay warm or just something to do.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    Good
    September 26, 2012 6:57 pm
    and the buses will now be empty in those areas and the county can save money by getting smart.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    Metro.
    September 27, 2012 5:15 am
    This statemetn is hilarious and shows the how much of a failure liberalism is: "Clearly there is an impact on people with very little income; people who don't have the means to pay a fare," he said. "That's why we are putting in a circulator bus with the City of Seattle. That will help mitigate the loss of the ride free area for people who just can't pay a fare."
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • murr wrote...
    What wont change
    September 28, 2012 2:36 am
    The burden on the tax payer. Service and performance will drop, and price will go up. This is a leftist liberal program. Promote goverment. Ask china how it works.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }