CHOKEPOINTS

RapidRide G Line: A new bus route connecting riders to mass transit

Apr 10, 2024, 10:57 AM | Updated: 2:20 pm

Rapid-Ride G Line...

SDOT workers paving the intersection at Ninth Avenue and Spring Street ahead of launch of RapidRide G line (Photo courtesy of SDOT)

(Photo courtesy of SDOT)

The RapidRide G line will run from downtown Seattle to Madison Valley.

King County Metro’s (KCM) Al Sanders said the Rapid-G will kick off shortly after the Lynwood extension is done in early September.

More on public transportation: Snohomish County Transit announces major changes as Lynnwood light rail set to launch

“RapidRide G line will be traveling from the Seattle Waterfront,” Sanders said. “It will go along Madison Street, and it will serve Capitol Hill, the Central District, First Hill and the Madison Valley neighborhoods.”

The RapidRide will connect passengers to four modes of mass transit: Light Rail, Washington State Ferries, Street Car and King County Water Taxi.

“It will provide access to north and south for a number of Metro routes along its path,” Sanders said.

Sanders told KIRO Newsradio the community can benefit from the line because it will operate 23 hours a day.

“And it will run every six minutes. Monday through Saturday, through most of the day,” Sanders said. “It will extend to 15 minutes late at night, but it will run every six minutes throughout the day. This is a service in which, quite honestly, you haven’t missed the bus. You’re just early for the next one.”

The G Line will also feature larger buses.

“There are going to be some center boarding platforms on Madison, in which people will be able to board off of what would be considered the left side … the driver’s side,” Sanders said. “There’ll be two doors on the driver’s side and there’ll be three doors on the regular curbside to help keep things moving.”

More from Micki Gamez: UW star basketball player is living her dream, looking toward the future

We know most transit agencies throughout the region suffer from a driver shortage. We had to ask KCM if it’s prepared for the demand, he said, “Mickey, we have the operators we need to have rapid ride move. We are prepared, and we’re ready to go.” Sanders said, “When does it launch, it will launch in the fall. The Lynwood link starts in August, and we want to coordinate that service at the start of our rapid ride G line as well as the expanded service.”

You can read more of Micki Gamez’s stories here. Follow Micki on X, formerly known as Twitter, or email her here. 

Please follow our Community Guidelines

Chokepoints

I-90...

Nate Connors

WSDOT announces temporary closure of westbound I-90 Wednesday

WSDOT announced a Wednesday morning closure of all westbound I-90 lanes near milepost 52 at Snoqualmie Pass.

17 hours ago

I-5 crash...

MyNorthwest Staff

Crash blocking two right lanes on northbound I-5 in Seattle

A crash is blocking the two right lanes and the HOV lane on northbound I-5 in Seattle.

18 hours ago

larch madness parking leaves changing...

Chris Sullivan

‘Larch Madness,’ more like bad parking madness as people chase view of changing leaves

You're running out of time to catch "Larch Madness" along SR 20 in the North Cascades. But if you do head up there over the next few days, don't act like a fool.

1 day ago

SR 164 enumclaw fatal crash...

Jason Sutich

Two drivers killed in head-on crash on SR 164 near Enumclaw

Two people died after a collision on SR 164 near Enumclaw that closed the road in both directions for more than four hours early Monday morning.

2 days ago

montlake pedestrian bridge sr 520...

Nate Connors

Montlake pedestrian bridge closes for a week at SR 520

Pedestrians and bicyclists at Montlake will need to navigate a detour crossing over SR 520 for a full week, beginning Monday, Oct. 19, at 7 a.m.

2 days ago

Sound Transit budget deficit delays...

Michael Strite

Sound Transit to host community forum after Ballard light rail delayed to 2042

Sound Transit is encouraging Seattle residents to speak up about the proposed light rail extension to the Ballard neighborhood.

2 days ago

RapidRide G Line: A new bus route connecting riders to mass transit