Riders traveling the I-405 corridor in the Seattle area can now enjoy great views and less-crowded rides on new Sound Transit double-decker buses. Some ST Express trips on routes 532 and 535 are now on double deckers, adding more than 40% more seating than the 60-foot articulated buses they replaced.

To accommodate the taller buses, Sound Transit worked closely with cities along the corridor, which advised and assisted Sound Transit on street tree pruning needed to enable the taller buses to operate on city streets.

Sound Transit has operated double-decker buses on its Snohomish County-based routes since 2014. Last year, Sound Transit increased its fleet of double-decker buses to replace standard-height buses on the I-5 corridor between Everett and Seattle. All Snohomish County ST Express routes will now use double-decker buses on their busiest trips.

Community Transit, the only partner agency currently equipped to maintain double-decker buses, also operates Sound Transit’s fleet of 37 double deckers. These buses increase total capacity with the same number of bus drivers, in a smaller footprint.