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Public asked to weigh in on proposed Metro bus changes

Metro bus lines, including route #14 (shown), would be revised under a plan from transit officials, who are also seeking public input.
King County Metro
Metro bus lines, including route #14 (shown), would be revised under a plan from transit officials, who are also seeking public input.

If you rely on the bus to get around Seattle, Shoreline or South King County, changes could be coming to your route. Metro is proposing reducing or redirecting more than 60 bus lines. 

The shifts are part of a plan to use revenue from King County’s car tab fee to preserve bus service.

Hundreds of people came out to urge King County councilmembers to pass the $20 car tab fee without going to voters to avoid cuts to service. The county did pass the fee, but now some routes are on the chopping block. 

Metro officials say the changes will make service more efficient. That could be the case for commuters between downtown and the West Seattle and Crown Hill neighborhoods. Metro plans to add two Rapid Ride lines along those routes. People in other areas, though, including Queen Anne and South Seattle, might have to walk a few more blocks and take different buses

To see what riders think of the new plan, Metro is holding seven open houses throughout the county:

  • Wednesday, Nov. 2 - Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle, noon-2 p.m.
  • Thursday, Nov. 3 - Adams Elementary School, 6110 28th Ave. NW, Seattle, 7-9 p.m.
  • Monday, Nov. 7 - Catharine Blaine Elementary, 2550 34th Ave. W, Seattle, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 9 - Chief Sealth High School, 2600 SW Thistle St., Seattle, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
  • Monday, Nov. 14 - Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N 85th St., Seattle, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 15 - South Park Neighborhood Center, 8201 10th Ave. S, Seattle, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, Nov. 17 - Madison Middle School, 3429 45th Ave. SW, Seattle, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

For those who can't make it to a meeting, Metro has also launched a website to collect feedback. Final changes to bus service will roll out next fall. 

Charla joined us in January, 2010 and is excited to be back in Seattle after several years in Washington, DC, where she was a director and producer for NPR. Charla has reported from three continents and several outlets including Marketplace, San Francisco Chronicle and NPR. She has a master of journalism from University of California, Berkeley and a bachelor's degree in architecture from University of Washington.