This is an early advisory regarding transit service changes associated with the upcoming expansion of Link light rail to Capitol Hill and the University of Washington. Additional information will follow during the next several weeks.

King County Metro bus riders will see many changes in March

On Saturday, March 19, Sound Transit will expand Link light rail to Capitol Hill and University of Washington stations, one week before Metro’s spring service change takes effect on Saturday, March 26. This new extension of the Link light rail network features frequent, fast service between downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill and the University of Washington near Husky Stadium.

Especially in areas with new Link service, transit customers will need to know that they will continue to use current bus routes and schedules for one week before new ‘Link Connection’ bus service becomes available.

During the first week of University Link service, use current bus service to connect with light rail

From Saturday, March 19 through Friday, March 25, the following routes will serve the new Link light rail stations:
Capitol Hill Station – at Broadway & E John St: Currently served by Metro bus routes 8, 9, 10, 11, 43, 49 and 60, as well as the new City of Seattle First Hill Streetcar.
University of Washington Station – at Husky Stadium: Currently served by Metro bus routes 25, 31, 32, 43, 44, 48, 65, 67, 68, 75, 167, 197, 271, 277, 372 and 373, and on Sound Transit Express routes ST 540, ST 542 and ST 556.
Many bus routes will change on March 26

Starting Saturday, March 26, Metro’s spring service changes will take effect. These changes, shown on Metro’s Link Connections page, include a redesigned network of bus service to better connect riders with Link light rail and to provide new neighborhood connections and service improvements you’ve told us you want, featuring:

New or improved connections to University of Washington Link Station on existing and new routes 31, 32, 43, 45, 48, 65, 67, 71, 73, 75, 78, 372 and 373. See where these – and other routes that aren’t changing – connect to the University of Washington Link station;

New or improved connections to Capitol Hill Link Station on routes 8, 10, 11 and 49, and on unchanged routes 9, 60 and the First Hill Streetcar that will also connect with Link;

Route deletions or replacements: Routes 16, 25, 26 Local, 28 Local, 30, 66X, 68, 72 and 242 are deleted or replaced with other service.

Peak service improvements on routes 64X, 74X, 76 and 316;

Increased frequency on routes 8, 12, 48, 49, 65, 67, 70, 73, 75 and 372X;

More reliable service on routes 8 and 48 – currently often delayed by traffic. They will each be split into two shorter routes;

New east-west connections between Sand Point, Wedgwood, Ravenna, Roosevelt, Green Lake, Wallingford and Fremont on new Route 62;

New connections to South Lake Union and First Hill employment sites on new Route 63;

New night and weekend service on routes 8, 12, 67, 70 and 372X, and Route 43 maintained with 30-minute peak period service on weekdays.

Find out how your routes are changing on Metro’s Link Connections website.

Other changes
In partnership with the City of Seattle, Metro’s RapidRide C Line will be extended to serve South Lake Union, and will no longer continue as the RapidRide D Line to Ballard. The RapidRide D Line will be extended to serve Pioneer Square, and will no longer continue as the RapidRide C Line to West Seattle. Read more.

Background
Implementation of Link light rail service to Capitol Hill and the University of Washington, and the related bus network revisions, are a culmination of several years of work by Metro, Sound Transit and the City of Seattle, along with many other stakeholders, and have included an extensive multi-phase public outreach that has featured online information, surveys and comment periods, public meetings and a Sounding Board comprised of area residents. The King County Council adopted these changes on October 19, 2015.

What do riders need to do to prepare, and when?
Starting now, riders can prepare for the upcoming changes by:

Visiting Sound Transit’s website to learn about University Link service beginning on March 19;

Visiting Metro’s Link Connections page for details on bus route changes, background information, and details about the planning process;

Using current timetables to plan bus trips to Link light rail stations for the week of March 19-25;

Using the Link connections interactive map to start planning your Link-related or other transit trips for after the service change on March 26;

Considering available ORCA card options to make quick, easy transfers between Metro Transit and Sound Transit Link light rail, and

Visiting the websites of Metro’s regional transit partners – Community Transit, King County Water Taxi, Pierce Transit, Seattle Streetcar, Sound Transit or the Washington State Ferries – for information about service provided by each agency and their upcoming spring service changes.

You can plan bus trips to and from the new Link stations now by using current timetables in Metro Online, or by using a travel date of Match 25 or earlier, and entering the station names as your destination or starting point, in Metro’s online Trip Planner. Specific information about University Link trips and schedules will be in the Trip Planner in early March.

In early March, we’ll let you know when you can:

Use a travel date of March 26 or later in Metro’s online Trip Planner to plan transit trips in the new network that will be effective on March 26;

Sign up for Transit Alerts for any new routes you may be riding, and

Review – during the week prior to March 26 – any trip plans or other information you may have previously obtained, as minor revisions may have been made.

Online timetables for Metro service effective on Saturday, March 26, will be posted on the Metro Online website on the afternoon of Friday, March 25.

At all times
When planning transit trips, visit Metro’s Service Advisories page to find out if there are known or pre-planned reroutes or other service disruptions due to events or construction activities that might affect your travel.

Periodically check Metro Online for updates about transit service, products or future planning.

Thank you for riding, and for using Metro’s services.

www.kingcounty.gov/metro

For anyone coming to or from campus via Metro Transit: Plan ahead! Transit Alert – metro service may be affected by adverse weather conditions.

Metro Transit advises all transit riders in its service area to plan ahead for traveling safely during today’s adverse weather conditions, be aware of local conditions, plan for possible delays and sign up for Transit Alerts for routes they ride. While Metro utilizes all available resources to operate service as normally as possible during adverse conditions, there is the possibility that transit service could be delayed or disrupted as a result of traffic, weather or other conditions.

Metro suggests:

• Be aware of conditions in areas in which you are traveling.
• Allow plenty of time for your trip; be prepared for longer travel times in the event of traffic or transit service delays.
• Check Metro’s Service Advisories page to find out about known reroutes or major stop revisions due to planned construction or events.
• Sign up for Transit Alerts for the routes you use.

Metro’s top priority is to make riding transit as safe as possible. Your patience during delays and service disruptions is appreciated.

Thank you for riding, and for using Metro’s services.