Buses Piling Up At NE 45th Street Turn-Around

 

Metro bus revised its bus service in Laurelhurst and throughout the city last fall. 

Laurelhurst went from one to 2 new bus routes, 31 and 32 route, running from 5:45am to 11:30pm, stopping at the NE 45th Street Hospital turnaround, and no longer going through the neighborhood.

Metro said that the Routes 31 and 32 were revised to provide improved east-west transit connectivity along NE 45th Street and to make connections between the new U District Station and Seattle Children’s Hospital. 

However, with 2 busses running the same route at around the same times, neighbors report that many times it results in 3-4 busses at the NE 45th Street turnaround, with one bus usually hanging out on to NE 45th Street.

One neighbor said: 

NE 45th is a very busy street in and out of the neighborhood. If they all happen to be there at the same time, can't the schedules be changed so they don't all show up there? Especially since ridership is very low. Why don't the busses wait at a previous stop to get back on their schedule?  Seems very odd to have 3-4 busses piling up in a low ridership neighborhood.

The Laurelhurst Blog contacted Metro and a representative responded: 

Our staff spoke to a neighbor to hear their perspective on driveway concerns, and we are glad to hear drivers are courteous and are able to quickly move a bus that might temporarily be blocking a driveway while they are in service. By working with operations staff, we expect these instances to become less frequent through better coordination.

Buses run approximately every 15 minutes during most of the day, and every 7-8 minutes during the peak periods. No more than two buses are expected to share the terminal at the same time at Seattle Children’s Hospital. 

 

Based on some initial observations, there is sufficient room for three buses to enter the turnaround without hanging out in the sidewalk area. We’ll work with drivers on those routes to ensure they are pulling far enough ahead to make enough room for each other.

 

Based on scheduling, the pace of buses serving that location should not cause backups or bunching.  However due to traffic or boarding delays, or other issues on a trip, it can affect the spacing between buses, and following trips can catch up to delayed trips. While we do not schedule more than two buses to share the terminal, there may be instances where a third bus may arrive at the terminal as a result of some of these kinds of impacts. Our scheduling staff will be looking at the trip timing to see if there are refinements or revisions to smooth out the rhythm of service.

I’ve informed our scheduling and service quality staff so they can take steps to work with the bus drivers of these routes to better avoid these situations to the extent possible.

Metro Bus Route 78, ran  for about four years and replaced long-time neighborhood route 25, which was deleted due to low ridership. The route went throughout the neighborhood with multiple stops, but only ran once an hour and ridership was low. Route 78 ran from Children's Hospital to the UW Light rail station at Husky Stadium.

Go to Metro's website for more information.

 

Submit Comments Now On Latest Proposal To Possibly Avoid Cuting Neighborhood Bus Service And 70 Other City Routes



With the state legislature’s transportation funding effort stalled, County Executive Constantine has announced a new proposal to keep buses on the road.

A few months ago we posted about potential cuts to funding issues affecting about 70 routes in the City, among them being  Metro Bus Route 25 that serves Laurelhurst. This route is proposed for deletion because "it is one of the lower performing routes in Metro’s system, and there is alternative service available for most riders" using use revised Route 65 or Route 75, which will remain unchanged.

In May of last year, the route was reduced from every 30 minutes to once per hour. If the route is completely cut, the nearest bus stop could be up to a 30 minute walk for some neighbors.

Over the past five years, Metro has already cut costs, raised fares four times and in addition, temporary funding authority from the state, as well as reserve funding will expire in June and may not be extended. The plan once short term funding end in June is available here.

Here is more information on the latest proposal :

Constantine has asked the County Council to take swift action to secure stable funding for Metro and avert service cuts. He asked the Council to form a countywide transportation benefit district—allowed under state law—and put a funding proposal on the ballot for a public vote. The vote could happen as soon as April.

Read more about what’s proposed.

As another part of the solution, the Executive proposed an across-the-board 25-cent fare increase for all regular service that would take effect in March 2015. The fare for Access Transportation riders would go up by 50 cents. We would also start a new reduced fare for people with low incomes, set at $1.50, to help keep bus service affordable for the people who depend on it most. Eligible riders could pay the low-income fare only with ORCA—not cash.

Learn more.

In case new funding does not become available, Metro continues to conduct countywide outreach (through Feb. 7) on proposed service cuts. The proposed reductions-- up to 17 percent of Metro’s service—would be necessary to close a $75 million shortfall after temporary funding runs out in mid-2014. The cuts would begin this fall. (

Visit our website to see what’s proposed and tell us what you think; Read our blog to see what we have been hearing from riders)

The Council will consider these proposals in the coming weeks and months; we’ll let you know about opportunities to express your views to elected officials on each of these critical decisions.

To voice your concern about this latest proposal email community.relations@kingcounty.gov or take Metro’s service survey.

Here are comments from a concerned Laurelhurst resident:

The 25 route (Laurelhurst-Downtown) should be retained. This route was running every 30 minutes in the recent past and has now been reduced to once per hour.

It is the only bus serving the Laurelhurst neighborhood and is important to many residents, who will be left far from the nearest bus stop if the 25 is deleted (up to 30 minutes of brisk walking - impractical for seniors or disabled).

It is true that ridership is fairly low in off-peak hours, but the principle of providing at least minimal service to a neighborhood should override this. This is something of a vicious circle: one reason for the lower ridership is the infrequent service.

Neighborhood Bus Service Slated To Be Eliminated Next Year

Bus service in the neighborhood may soon come to and end unless Metro is able to find stable funding thus Metro must plan now for major service cuts in absence of funding.
 
Metro Bus Route 25 that serves Laurelhurst is proposed for deletion because "it is one of the lower performing routes in Metro’s system, and there is alternative service available for most riders" using  use revised Route 65 or Route 75, which will remain unchanged. 

In May of this year,  the route was reduced from every 30 minutes to once per hour. If the route is completely cut, the nearest bus stop could be up to a 30 minute walk for some neighbors. 

A Downtown Seattle Service Reduction Public Meeting is taking place tomorrow from noon-2pm at Union Station (401 South Jackson Street). The meeting, which will be an open house format, is an opportunity for the community to talk with Metro staff about the service reduction proposal. There will also be a shhort, interactive presentation and small group discussion from 1-1:30 pm.
Throughout Seattle eighty percent of transit service would be affected - 74 routes would be deleted, 107 routes would be changed and 33 routes would become more crowded.  About 55,000 rides per day could be lost as Metro would revert its service to its 1997 level.

On November 7, Metro released a proposal that details its drastic service reductions that will start next year. Over the past five years, Metro has already cut costs, raised fares four times and  in addition,temporary funding authority from the state, as well as reserve funding will expire in June and may not be extended. The plan once short term funding end in June is available here.

"After all we’ve done, we have no options left that would generate enough to close the sizable gap ahead," Kevin Desmond, General Manager of King County Metro Transit, said in a letter last month.
 
To voice your concern about this latest proposal email community.relations@kingcounty.gov or take Metro’s service survey.
 
The King County Council will make a final recommendation in spring 2014.

For more information on the cuts and how to provide feedback go here.

Here are comments from a concerned Laurelhurst resident:

The 25 route (Laurelhurst-Downtown) should be retained. This route was running every 30 minutes in the recent past and has now been reduced to once per hour.

It is the only bus serving the Laurelhurst neighborhood and is important to many residents, who will be left far from the nearest bus stop if the 25 is deleted (up to 30 minutes of brisk walking - impractical for seniors or disabled).

It is true that ridership is fairly low in off-peak hours, but the principle of providing at least minimal service to a neighborhood should override this. This is something of a vicious circle: one reason for the lower ridership is the infrequent service.

Metro Bus Service Cuts Could Eliminate Service In Laurelhurst, Public Hearing Tuesday

Metro Bus Route 25 that serves Laurelhurst could be eliminated as soon as February 2012 if Metro Transit does not receive additional revenue for the 2012-2013 budget, which would affect about 80% of bus riders.

Without more funds, a total of 600,000 hours of transit service would need to be eliminated over the next two years, about  17% of Metro’s entire system.

An annual $20 fee on every vehicle licensed in King County for each of two years has been authorized to King County by the 2011 Washington Legislature as a "temporary congestion reduction charge to help fund Metro Transit services." 

King County Executive Constantine has called on the the County Council to approve this two-year funding for Metro or face the 17% service reduction. The proceeds  from the vehicle fees would be used to preserve transit service while King County works with regional leaders, legislators and the Governor on a long-term funding solution for transportation needs.

"The Legislature (has already) approved this temporary charge recognizing that Metro service is critically important to support economic recovery, give people an alternative to paying high gas prices, and relieve traffic congestion — especially during major construction of road and bridge projects in the region. The Legislature also recognized the sweeping reforms Metro has taken in recent years to reduce costs and make the most of every taxpayer dollar" the Metro website says.

If the congestion charge is not approved by County Council, here is the table listing Metro's preliminary example of all affected bus routes in Seattle, and a map here.

The changes would be phased between February 2012 and October 2013. The reductions and revisions are based on new guidelines in Metro’s Strategic Plan for Public Transportation.

Also facing possible elimination are routes 72 and73, and possible reduced or revised route are 70, 71 and 75, serving nearby neighborhoods.

The propoed route reductions equates to about four out of five people who would have to walk further, wait longer, make an additional transfer, stand in the aisle, orr stand at their bus stop while fully loaded buses pass them by.  It will also mean tens of thousands of people would be back in their cars, worsening traffic congestion.

Metro says that sustaining servce is critically important because:

• ridership has been steadily increasing
• riders use the service to get to their jobs
• it eases traffic congetion
• it reduces green-house gas emissions
• serves people with low income or limited mobility

The public is invited to attend a public hearing and give input on this importand neighborhood and city-wide issue
on Tuesday, the 12th, at 6pm at King County Council Chambers (516 Third Avenue, 10th Floor.)

The meeting is an opportunity for the public to learn about the proposals and weigh in on the future of Metro Transit.


Metro Transit.

You can also submit input here which will be directed to the King County Council's Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee and go on public record, on the proposed "Congestion Reduction Charge" and on the proposed service reductions.

For more information go here.

Bus Route 30 Upcoming Route Change Will Not Bring Evening and Weekend Service To Laurelhurst

Ashley DeForest, with King County Department of Transportation, just sent us an update on the upcoming changes for Bus Route 30 starting in October.

Here is the post we did last month in which two proposed alternatives were laid out, one route would either serve Hawthorne Hills (blue route above) or  the second proposed route would turn south to serve Laurelhurst and Children’s Hospital (green line).

Ashley informed us that Altenative 2 was chosen, "the Hawthorne Hills Loop."

With this Alternative, the new route will no longer serve Sand Point Way NE north of NE 65th Street, but instead serve the NE 65th Street entrance of Magnuson Park. Riders will need to board and exit the bus at different locations because of the one-way loop.

Alternative 1, that wasn't chosen, would have served Children's' Hospital and Laurelhurst, but would no longer serve Sand Point Way NE north of Princeton Avenue NE, or Magnuson Park.

Ashley's email says:

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about alternative routing for the Route 30 during evenings and on weekends. We heard from more than 300 people via our online survey, email and phone.

We also attended the May 5th meeting of the Northeast District Council to talk to community members about the proposed change.

The majority of respondents indicated a preference for Alternative 2:

East of 40th Avenue NE, Route 30 would make a one-way loop. Eastbound, it would still cross the Princeton Avenue NE bridge and continue north on Sand Point Way NE. It would turn west at NE 65th Street, and end on the far side of Sand Point Way NE. Westbound, it would go west on NE 65th Street, continuing on NE Princeton Way NE to NE 65th Street and 40th Avenue NE. At this intersection, it would turn south on 40th Avenue NE and rejoin the regular (weekday daytime) routing with a west turn onto NE 55th Street.

Metro will be implementing this alternative for Route 30 evenings and weekends routing in October 2011.

If you have any additional questions about this change, please feel free to get in touch at ashley.deforest@kingcounty.gov or by phone at 206-684-1154.

Metro Bus 30 Route Change Could Bring Night And Week-End Bus Service To Laurelhurst

A reader forwarded us information from the Seattle Transit Blog,  alerting us that Metro Bus Route 30 might be extended into Laurelhurst, because the City of Seattle has asked Metro to change the route’s eastern end, now going through Magnuson Park.

With the upcoming change in the route, Metro Bus 30 would either serve Hawthorne Hills or turn south to serve Laurelhurst and Children’s Hospital.

The reader said the change would provide much better weekend and evening coverage in Laurelhurst,  as currently there is no service after 7pm on weeknights and no service on weekends.

Route 30 currently winds its way from Seattle Center to a variety of endpoints near Sand Point. The route currently ends at Magnuson Park and turns around inside there on weekday evenings and on weekends.

The City of Seattle has requested that Metro not go into Magnuson Park anymore because of concerns about heavier vehicles traveling on park roads, so Metro needs to find an alternate route in the area.

Metro is looking into two possible alternatives for the east end of this route on nights and weekends.

In both of these, the routing would the same as it is now as as far east as the Princeton Avenue NE bridge. And with both alternatives, passengers could transfer to Route 75 to go further in either direction on Sand Point Way NE.

Here are the alternatives, also shown here on this map:

Alternative 1

After crossing the Princeton Avenue NE bridge, eastbound Route 30 would go west on Sand Point Way NE, turn south on 47th Avenue NE, turn west on NE 45th Street, and end at a bus loop on the south side of Children’s Hospital. Westbound Route 30 would go west on NE 45th Street, north on Sand Point Way NE, and north on Princeton Avenue NE before resuming its current routing.

With this alternative, on nights and weekends Route 30 would no longer serve Sand Point Way NE north of Princeton Avenue NE, or Magnuson Park. It would serve Children’s Hospital and Laurelhurst.

Alternative 2

East of 40th Avenue NE, Route 30 would make a one-way loop. Eastbound, it would still cross the Princeton Avenue NE bridge and continue north on Sand Point Way NE. It would turn west at NE 65th Street, and end on the far side of Sand Point Way NE. Westbound, it would go west on NE 65th Street, continuing on NE Princeton Way NE to NE 65th Street and 40th Avenue NE. At this intersection, it would turn south on 40th Avenue NE and rejoin the regular (weekday daytime) routing with a west turn onto NE 55th Street.

With this alternative, on nights and on weekends Route 30 would not serve Sand Point Way NE north of NE 65th Street, but it would serve the NE 65th Street entrance of Magnuson Park. Riders would board and exit the bus at different locations because of the one-way loop.

Metro is asking the community to share their opinions on its website by taking a quick survey. The reader said "It would be great to give Metro lots of feedback from Laurelhurst."

For more information about this project, contact Ashley DeForest at ashley.deforest@kingcounty.gov or call 206-684-1154.

Proposed Changes For Bus Route 65 Along 40th Avenue NE And Sand Point Way

A reader alerted us that Metro Bus Route 65 is currently under consideration for changes specifically to stops along 55th Avenue NE . The proposed changes would include more stops along 40th Avenue NE where Metropolitan Market, the new Fire Station and businesses are located. The revised route would also include a new stop at Children's Hospital.

The proposed changes would specifically reroute bus 65 from NE 35th Street to turn left and down the hill on NE 55th Street and then right onto 40th Avenue NE near Metropolitan Market and then proceed down 40th Avenue NE past Ronald McDonald House down to Sand Point Way. Currently the bus runs southbound on 35th Ave NE, to 5 corners (Baskin-Robbins/Tully's intersections), then west past University Village.

The new route would serve the new entrance to Children’s hospital when the new construction is finished at the Laurelon Terrace site. The northbound route would follow that path in reverse.

One reader says that "the change actually makes a lot of sense to me, since it adds three major destinations with a change of a few blocks in the route." And another reader says that he would like the current route to remain the same as his bus stop would be elminated under the proposed change.

Here is a map of the proposed revision from the Wedgwood Community Council website. The map shows the proposed changes with ridership figures at stops along the revised segment.

A reader forwarded us an email from Ted Day, Transportation Planner with King County Department of Transportation, in which he responds to comments received about the proposed changes:
We feel that there is enough potential ridership from Wedgwood and Meadowbrook to Children's Hospital that would be attracted to the revised service that would result in more riders for the route. We estimate that the increased travel time would be approximately three minutes and that this is a reasonable tradeoff for improved service to a very important neighborhood facility. The revision to Route 65 would serve many more customers than the existing routing without requiring a major increase in budget.

Laurelhurst Community Club supports the change and says in a letter recently sent to Ted Day:
This is a sensible way to deliver Metro service to more people. The route change would not only service Seattle Children’s Hospital patients and employees but also provide service for the fire station, business offices, vet clinic, Metropolitan Market, Ronald McDonald House and the many apartments and condominiums along 40th Ave NE.


Furthermore, in the next few years the intersection of Sand Point Way and 40th Avenue NE will be redesigned adding a signal, crosswalk and trail access. We will need more transit support at this location because the new intersection/trail connection will encourage pedestrian and transit use and serve the neighborhoods and businesses on both sides of Sand Point Way.


Ted responded:
We have been working with SDOT and Children's Hospital on the intersections that the route would traverse. We have identified some modifications that will need to be in place in order to ensure the safe operation of this revised routing.


Thank you for pointing out all of the many destinations served by the revision to Route 65. We do expect more ridership on a revised routing and we also think it will help reduce traffic headed to and from Children's Hospital. With the significant expansion plans occurring at Children's Hospital, improved bus service is critical in meeting the increased demand from employees, volunteers and visitors.

And a response from Ted posted on the Wedgwood Community Council site says:

Given the fact that capital improvements can take some time, I don’t expect that the revision could take place before October at the earliest and more likely in 2012. The main thrust behind the proposal is to serve the large number of employees, volunteers and visitors who live in Wedgwood and Meadowbrook who commute to Children’s Hospital.


Ridership along the portion of 35th Ave NE that would be missed is relatively small (see the attached map) so we feel the route can attract more riders by serving Children’s Hospital. The fact that Children’s Hospital is expected to grow substantially while the area along 35th Ave NE is not expected to grow only adds to the reasons for a revision.

These proposed bus route changes are not part of the Children's Hospital Livable Street Initiative as one reader asked us. That effort only deals with pedestrian and bicycle safety projects.

As to when these changes might take effect, the Wedgwood Community Council website posts from an email from Ted:

Given the fact that capital improvements can take some time, I don’t expect that the revision could take place before October at the earliest and more likely in 2012. The main thrust behind the proposal is to serve the large number of employees, volunteers and visitors who live in Wedgwood and Meadowbrook who commute to Children’s Hospital.


Ridership along the portion of 35th Ave NE that would be missed is relatively small (see the attached map) so we feel the route can attract more riders by serving Children’s Hospital. The fact that Children’s Hospital is expected to grow substantially while the area along 35th Ave NE is not expected to grow only adds to the reasons for a revision.


Ted told us that he is still collecting comments. He says "There is no deadline for comments at this point since a decision does not need to be made imminently. However, if you would like to encourage comments before the end of March that would help us to respond to concerns and potentially revise the proposal to make it more acceptable."

You can send comments to Ted at Ted.Day@kingcounty.gov.

(photo courtesy of Wedgwood Community Council website)

Reduced Bus Schedule Today

In observance of Veterans Day today, Metro bus is running on a reduced schedule today. You can check it out here.

This reduced weekday schedule will also be in effect on several holidays from now through January – including a full week of reduced service at the end of December.

"These are planned reductions for holiday periods where Metro has historically seen 20-40 percent fewer weekday riders. Also, on several of the upcoming legal holidays, Metro will use a Sunday schedule."

"This schedule is being used on 10 days in 2009, and is estimated to save Metro more than $1 million each year," says the Metro website.

Here is an overview of the holiday service schedule.

Fortunately it doesn't appear as if route number 25 that services Laurelhurst is located on the cancellation or reduced route list for any holidays. However, route 70 and 75 running in this area, do show as having some cancellations for holidays.