King County Metro is restructuring Seattle’s bus system to include new RapidRide bus lines. Changes will be implemented September 2012. Meanwhile, Metro is seeking public feedback. Here are route changes that will affect commuters in the Duwamish:
Bus Route 124 would operate 24 hours a day along Airport Way S and East Marginal Way beginning next September under route changes proposed by Metro. Route 124, which presently runs along 4th Avenue South and East Marginal Way, would serve the SODO and King Street light rail stations as well as round-the-clock businesses along Airport Way including Federal Express.
Other changes would make it easier to get from West Seattle to Georgetown and SODO. New Route 40 would connect with S. Michigan Street in Georgetown from the Junction in West Seattle while new Route 50 would link Lander Street in SODO with stops along Admiral Way. In addition, the RapidRide C line will carry passengers from Westwood Village all the way to downtown Seattle via the Alaskan Way Viaduct.
Routes 132 and 131 between Burien and Downtown Seattle would also be modified to make stops every 15 minutes along 4th Ave S. Both routes would be shortened to terminate at Burien Transit Center, and neither route would continue to serve Highline Community College.
Routes 57 and 123EX would also be rerouted to travel the Alaska Way Viaduct rather than 4th Avenue S. Route 57 would operate every 30 minutes during peak hours between Genesee Hill and downtown via the Admiral District. Route 123EX would operate every 30 to 60 minutes.
Metro will begin a second round of public outreach on the service proposals on February 1. The King County Council will consider final proposals from the King County Executive in April/May 2012, with approved changes taking effect in September. For further information or comments, please visit Metro’s Have A Say website. You can also fill out the survey here.