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SEARCHThe grant for the new RapidRide I Line, which will feature rebranded “green” hybrid electric buses, was funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
An estimated 50,000 jobs would be served by the King County Metro BRT project, including job centers in downtown Renton, Kent, and Auburn; two major medical centers; and the Auburn Municipal Airport.
Photo: King County Metro
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a $79.7 million construction grant award to Seattle’s King County Metro to support a bus rapid transit (BRT) line that will provide fast, frequent, and reliable service between the cities of Renton, Auburn, and Kent, located south of Seattle.
The grant for the new RapidRide I Line, which will feature rebranded “green” hybrid electric buses, was funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
King County’s RapidRide I Line will improve travel times and the rider experience over a heavily traveled King County Metro bus line by providing nearly two miles of exclusive bus-only lanes and transit signal priority to speed riders on their way.
The BRT will also include off-board fare payment, all-door boarding, and weekday service every 10 to 15 minutes during the day.
The 17-mile route will have 41 new stations that include shelters, lighting, and real-time arrival information.
The RapidRide I Line will also improve rider connections in the regional system, including the RapidRide F Line, Sound Transit buses, and Sounder commuter rail.
The I Line will be the 10th to open as part of the RapidRide network, adding to a robust regional BRT system with current daily ridership of about 63,000 trips.
“King County has grown by nearly 20 percent since 2010, increasing the need for high-capacity transit. The RapidRide I Line will provide a cleaner, faster ride for thousands of riders in Southern King County, including in areas of the county with some of the highest proportions of low-income and minority residents,” said FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool. “We are pleased to continue our partnership with King County Metro to improve transit connections across the region, as communities across the country, such as King County, continue to benefit from America’s largest-ever investment in high-quality public transportation."
An estimated 50,000 jobs would be served by the project, including job centers in downtown Renton, Kent, and Auburn; two major medical centers; and the Auburn Municipal Airport.
Each city also plans transit-oriented development around key stations to facilitate growth and opportunity.
The federal support for the estimated $168.5 million project comes from FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program, which helps communities carry out transformational transit projects.
The changes are designed to reduce overall travel time, shorten wait times, and get customers to their destinations more quickly.
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The visit is part of the SF Fed's ongoing engagement with major employers and industries across Southern California and, more broadly, the western U.S. to better understand regional economic conditions and business outlooks.
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Advances in data and analytics are giving transit agencies new opportunities to refine maintenance practices, improve efficiency and make more informed decisions about asset performance.
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Today’s riders—and the communities you serve—expect more from public transit. While ADA compliance is required, leading transit agencies know that true accessibility also means delivering dignity, efficiency, and a better rider experience. This whitepaper reveals why forward thinking agencies nationwide choose the Low Floor Frontrunner as their first choice for ADA compliant vehicles—setting a new standard with passenger first design, faster boarding, improved safety, and unmatched operational performance.
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In Part 2 of a two-part conversation, AC Transit’s director of maintenance joins co-hosts Alex Roman and Mark Hollenbeck to discuss his maintenance team’s work with various types of vehicle, training, augmented reality, and more.
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Under this extension, Keolis will continue to manage and operate fixed-route bus service across the East Valley, serving communities including Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, the town of Gilbert, parts of Phoenix, and the Gila River Indian Community.
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The new network reflects extensive input from riders and the community through Reimagine DART on what matters most in public transit — and those priorities are reflected in the changes ahead.
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A new bus lane project aims to improve reliability on one of King County Metro’s busiest and most congestion-prone corridors.
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While recognizing regional economic constraints and continuing to improve service, the budget increases the jurisdictional subsidy to less than 1.8%, significantly below the inflation rate and the 3% regional target, said agency officials.
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Coalition leaders outline priorities for preserving bus funding, maintaining competitive grants, and ensuring flexibility for transit agencies nationwide.
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