King County Metro is enhancing bus service to better connect riders with the light rail station on the 2 Line and throughout Seattle. Starting August 30, there will be more frequent access on the Eastside and in the city.
“We’re delivering what riders and residents asked for: more frequent bus service, better evening and weekend options, and improved connections to Sound Transit 2 Line stations on the Eastside,” King County Executive Shannon Braddock said. “With 900 more trips per week across Metro’s system, regional travel options keep improving.”
According to an agency release, following a comprehensive review of bus service across 21 cities on the Eastside and parts of Seattle, Metro is rolling out service improvements in phases as part of the Eastside Link Connections project. Extensive engagement from Eastside communities and the thousands of riders who rely on public transit guided Metro’s plan, which was approved by the King County Council this past spring.
“You’ll be seeing more metro bus service, meeting the needs of riders and providing new, faster connections every day, all day,” Metro General Manager Michelle Allison said. “Some of these upgrades are laying the groundwork for the further expansion of the 2 Line coming next year, and we invite everyone to explore the new places you’ll be able to go on transit.”
Expanding Route 106 Service with 30 New Weekly Trips
The voter-approved Seattle Transit Measure (STM) funds 30 new weekly bus trips in early mornings and mid-day on Route 106, connecting Chinatown-International District in Seattle to Mount Baker, Rainier Beach, Skyway, and Renton. These 30 new trips mean that Route 106 buses will arrive every 15 minutes from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Before this investment, buses arrived every 20-30 minutes.
These investments will support better access to services along this route and the new Judkins Park Link light rail station when it opens next year on Sound Transit’s Line 2. STM was approved by voters in November 2020 and is funded by a 0.15% sales tax through early 2027.
“Seattle Transit Measure investments are a testament to our commitment to equitable and accessible transit for all,” SDOT Interim Director Adiam Emery said. “We are supporting our King County Metro partners’ regional service investments with more service on Route 106, ensuring that our neighbors who depend the most on transit have more frequent, reliable connections to essential services and new Link light rail stations in the future. These improvements reflect the power of collaboration and the voices of our residents. They are part of a set of bold investments we’re making as a City to enhance transit for everyone.”
New Bus Routes
Route 203: Connecting Issaquah Highlands, North Issaquah, Issaquah Transit Center, Newport Way, Factoria, and the 2 Line at South Bellevue Station.
Route 222: Connecting Overlake, Idylwood, downtown Redmond, Education Hill, Cottage Lake, and the 2 Line at Downtown Redmond and Redmond Technology Stations.
Route 223: Connecting Eastgate, Lake Hills, Overlake, and 2 Line service at Downtown Redmond Station, with more frequent 20-minute weekday service.
Route 256: Direct peak-only service connecting Woodinville, Brickyard Park & Ride, Totem Lake, Kingsgate Park & Ride, Yarrow Point Freeway Station, Evergreen Point Freeway Station, South Lake Union, and downtown Seattle.
More Frequent Buses on Weekdays
DART Route 224 between Duvall and Redmondwill improve to service every 60 minutes.
Route 226 in Bellevuewill provide peak service every 20 minutes, connecting Downtown Bellevue, Lake Hills, Bellevue College, Eastgate, and the 2 Line at South Bellevue Station.
Route 240 will improveservice every 20 minutes during peak and midday times on a revised pathway connecting Downtown Bellevue to the South Bellevue Station, Factoria, Newcastle, and Renton.
DART Route 249 willimprove service every 30 minutes on weekdays, with hourly service added from 7 to 9 p.m. connecting Redmond Technology Station, Overlake, downtown Bellevue, and South Bellevue Station.
New Metro Flex Zone in Bellevue
King County Metro Flex’s upcoming service area, starting September 15 in Bellevue, will allow riders to connect to and from the 2 Line service at Overlake Village Station. Metro Flex is described as an on-demand neighborhood transit service.
With an app or booking by phone, a vehicle will take riders anywhere in the service area, all for the exact cost as a bus trip. King County Metro will pilot electric vehicles in Bellevue. Details and the service area map will be available soon on the Metro Flex webpage.
