ST Express service to be reduced on select routes due to driver shortage

Due to driver shortages, Sound Transit says six ST Express routes will see schedule reductions starting Sunday, Nov. 7.

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The ST Express routes 566, 577, 578, 580, 590, 592, and 594 will all have some reductions in their schedule, but it will only affect weekday service. Weekend service remains unchanged.

All other Pierce Transit operated routes remain unchanged (560, 574, 586, 595, 596).

Further changes may be made depending on driver availability. Sound Transit says it is working with operating partner Pierce Transit to restore service when staffing levels allow.

Transportation providers across the state — and across the country — have been experiencing driver shortages. For Pierce Transit, that’s often resulted in missed or delayed trips. Since Pierce Transit doesn’t have the drivers to make the runs, and rather than cancelling them as they come up, the agency will move to a reduced schedule to provide some stable service.

“By reducing service frequency along some routes, we’re better able to provide a schedule you can rely on, even if it temporarily offers fewer trip options,” Sound Transit explains on its website.

This driver shortage is not due to a COVID vaccine mandate as Pierce Transit is not under a mandate. The agency has about 61 unfilled positions at this time.

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Find more details of the service change online here. View the revised schedules for Routes 566, 577, 578, 580, 592, and 594 here.

KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan contributed to this report.