Bridging the Gap — Transit Improvements

Bus Service Improvements

The City of Seattle’s Bridging the Gap and King County Metro’s Transit Now initiatives purchase increased bus service in Seattle. Many buses were added to Metro routes 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 14, 26, 28, and 44 in September 2008. Additional improvements followed on September 19, 2009 with more coming in September 2010.

• City Helps Increase Seattle Bus Service Press Release 9/18/09
• New Metro Services in Seattle Began September 20, 2008
• Bus Service Improvement Press Release 9/19/08
• Bus Service Improvement Fact Sheet

Emphasis on Climate-Friendly Electric Buses

More than 45% of the Bridging the Gap and Transit Now bus service improvements are focused directly on Metro’s electric bus system (also called the electric trolley bus system). Metro Electric Buses are powered by electricity from Seattle City Light, which produces zero net climate-altering emissions. In addition to being virtually carbon neutral, electric buses are approximately twice as energy efficient as diesel, diesel hybrid, or natural gas fueled buses.

• More information on climate change action at SDOT Climate Action Now

Transit Priority Corridors

Bridging the Gap provides funding for street improvements focused on increasing the speed of bus travel in seven key corridors. Three of the corridors are planned Metro RapidRide Bus Rapid Transit lines, and all seven are essential Seattle Transit Plan connections. The corridors are part of the backbone of the Metro system, carrying very high concentrations of transit trips, connecting Seattle’s most populous neighborhoods, and supporting sustainable growth. Information about improvements in these corridors will be updated here.

• Map of Transit Priority Corridors
• Transit Priority Corridor Fact Sheet

Rainier Ave. S Transit Priority Corridor ( Metro Route 7)

• Transit Improvements Coming to Rainier Avenue
• FAQ about Rainier Ave. S transit improvements
• FAQ about on-street parking changes on Rainier Ave

Ballard-Uptown Transit Priority Corridor ( Metro Route 15)

• Transit Improvements Coming to Ballard & Uptown
• FAQ about on-street parking changes

West Seattle Transit Priority Corridor ( Metro Route 54)

• Brochure summarizing West Seattle transit improvements

• Aurora Ave Improvements

Aurora Avenue Bus Stop “ Plaza ” Pilot Project

SDOT is proposing to improve several bus stops along Aurora Ave between Greenlake and Northgate Way to make it easier and more comfortable to wait for transit and provide more room to pedestrians.

In response to narrow sidewalks and heavy transit use, SDOT proposes to reconfigure access to/from several residential streets that are adjacent to busy Aurora bus stops.

SDOT is currently seeking public comments in anticipation of constructing most of these improvements in late 2009.

• Informational handout from June 2009
• Map of proposed improvement locations
• Click here to make a comment or sign up for email updates

For more information about the Aurora pilot project, please contact Casey Hildreth at (206) 233-3780, or email Casey.Hildreth@seattle.gov

• Belltown 3rd Ave Bus Bulbs

SDOT is proposing to widen sidewalks at bus stops along 3 rd Avenue in Belltown between Virginia St and Cedar St.

Wider sidewalks will allow additional bus stop amenities such as bike racks and improved lighting, and more space for passengers to wait and people to walk through the area and access businesses.

These “bus bulbs” will also allow faster bus travel times by preventing buses from needing to merge into and out of traffic.

SDOT is currently seeking public comments in anticipation of constructing these improvements in late 2009 or early 2010.

• Informational handout from June 2009

For more information about this project, please contact Brian Henry at (206) 684-5146, or email Brian.Henry@seattle.gov

Examples of Transit Improvements

• Bus bulb
• Queue jump
• Business Access and Transit (BAT) lane
• Transit Lane Map

Bridging the Gap Transit Improvements, General Contact:

Brian Henry at 206-684-5146, or email Brian.Henry@Seattle.gov

Related Links:

Seattle Transit Plan

King County Metro’s Transit Now Initiative

King County Metro’s RapidRide Program

September 2007 BTG Transit Investment Background (.ppt file)