Reduced service on handful of Sound Transit express routes begins Monday
Nov 8, 2021, 12:06 PM | Updated: 12:10 pm
A Sound Transit Express bus. (Photo courtesy of Sound Transit/Facebook)
(Photo courtesy of Sound Transit/Facebook)
Service reductions on a handful of Sound Transit express routes in Pierce and South King Counties begin on Monday, due to a staffing shortage for bus drivers.
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The reduced service include ST Express routes 566, 577, 578, 580, 590, 592, and 594. Sound Transit also noted that more changes to routes could be possible “depending on driver availability.”
The reductions will affect weekday service only, while weekend services will be unchanged. You can see full details about reductions for each route at this link.
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. That said, Sound Transit has noted that its issues are consistent with “many transportation providers across the state and nation.” That includes Washington State Ferries, which has experienced staffing shortages dating back to early October.
Sound Transit reported in mid-October that roughly 96% of its workers were fully vaccinated and in compliance with the mandate for its King County operations.
Meanwhile, the agency says it is looking to hire more bus drivers, who will need to undergo a 10-week training process before starting work.
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