Updates for King County Metro Bus and Sound Transit Riders
OCTOBER 1, 2021 UPDATE:
New bus routes starting October 2, 2021
The “North Link Mobility Project” is one of the largest service changes King County Metro has planned to date, helping connect bus service with the three new Light Rail stations coming online this month in the University District, Roosevelt, and Northgate neighborhoods.
In crafting the North Link service change, which will go into effect on October 2, 2021, Metro said they focused on historically underserved populations to help advance equitable mobility outcomes.
The resulting service change reorganizes service to better align with Link light rail, increase East-West Connections, and improve frequency on local and all-day routes.
Several King County Metro bus routes in our City Council District will change with the new Roosevelt (12th Ave NE at NE 66th Street) and University District (Brooklyn Ave at NE 43rd Street) light rail stations. Ultimately, the opening of these new stations will provide quick, frequent service all the way from City Council Districts 4 and 5 to Capitol Hill, Downtown, Sea-Tac airport, and beyond. People will travel to the U District and Roosevelt to explore and shop, which will rejuvenate neighborhoods that lagged during the COVID pandemic and construction-related street closures.
But, to be frank, many of us will need to adjust our travel patterns to the updated Metro bus routes. For some of us accustomed to “one-seat” rides on buses all the way downtown, our new bus route might drop us off at a light rail station to transfer and complete our trip. This will inconvenience some. Overall, I think these light rail stations are huge net benefits. Our region’s population and associated traffic congestion are growing rapidly, so we need our regional transit system to grow with it so we can move the most people in environmentally friendly ways.
The bus system is run by your King County government; not by the City government. To submit feedback, King County Metro’s Customer Information Office comment form is available online, and specialists are available at 206-553-3000 to answer any questions about the service change. Metro wanted us to mention that their Twitter account, @kcmetrobus, is also staffed by a Customer Service team that can assist customers in real time.
See below for specific changes impacting District 4 neighborhoods.
| Route | Status | PDF Link |
| 16X | New | Route 16 PDF |
| 20 | New | Route 20 PDF |
| 31 and 32 | Revised | Routes 31 and 32 PDF |
| 41 | Replaced | |
| 44 | Revised | Route 44 PDF |
| 45 | Revised | Route 45 PDF |
| 48 | Revised | Route 48 PDF |
| 49 | Revised | Route 49 PDF |
| 62 | Unchanged | |
| 63 | Replaced | |
| 64X | Revised | Route 64 PDF |
| 65 and 67 | Revised | Route 67 PDF |
| 70 | Revised | Route 70 PDF |
| 71 | Replaced | |
| 73 | Revised | Route 73 PDF |
| 74 | Replaced | |
| 75 | Revised | Route 75 PDF |
| 76 | Replaced | |
| 77 | Replaced | |
| 78 | Replaced | |
| 79 | New | Route 79 PDF |
| 312 | Replaced | |
| 316 | Replaced | |
| 322 | New | Route 322 PDF |
| 355 | Replaced | |
| 372 | Revised | Route 372 PDF |
| 373 | Replaced |
| Origin | Travel options to Capitol Hill, Downtown, and beyond starting October 2 |
| Bryant | Route 62 will remain the same, providing service between Sand Point, Ravenna, Bryant, Roosevelt, Wallingford, Fremont, South Lake Union, and Downtown Seattle.Route 64 will continue to provide service between Lake City, Wedgwood, Ravenna, Roosevelt, South Lake Union, and Denny Triangle. Route 64 will connect more directly to the heart of South Lake Union and the Denny Triangle neighborhood. There will be new stops at the Roosevelt light rail station. Riders traveling to First Hill can transfer to Route 322 at the Roosevelt station.Route 65/67 will remain the same, providing service between Jackson Park, Lake City, Wedgwood, Bryant, University District, Roosevelt, Maple Leaf, and Northgate.King County Metro will remove Route 71. Alternate routes will be Routes 62 and 64.King County Metro will remove Route 74. Instead, Route 79 will connect Sand Point, View Ridge, Bryant, and Ravenna to the University District light rail station.Revised Route 75 will connect to Route 45 for one-seat travel through the University of Washington Campus to the University District light rail station.Route 76 will be replaced by upgraded service on Routes 62 and 64 along NE 65th St.King County Metro will remove Route 78. Routes 67 and 75 are alternative connections between Sand Point, University Village, and the University District. Route 372 will extend into the University District to connect to the University District light rail station. |
| Eastlake | Revised Route 49 and Route 70 will have new stops to connect directly to the University District light rail station. |
| Fremont and Wallingford | New Route 20 will provide service between Lake City, Northgate, Green Lake, and the University District.King County Metro will replace Route 26 with the new Route 20; upgraded service on Route 62 between Green Lake, Fremont, Wallingford, South Lake Union, and Downtown; and revised Routes 31 and 32 providing service between Queen Anne, Fremont, Wallingford, and the University District Station.Route 31 will have additional stops on NE 45th St, a connection to the University District Station, and additional Sunday service.Route 32 will have additional stops on NE 45th St and a connection to the University District Station.Route 40 will connect to the Northgate light rail station.Route 44 will connect to the University District light rail station. |
| Green Lake | New Route 20 will provide service between Lake City, Northgate, Green Lake, and the University District.King County Metro will replace Route 26 with the new Route 20; upgraded service on Route 62 between Green Lake, Fremont, Wallingford, South Lake Union, and Downtown; and Revised Route 64X providing service between Lake City, Wedgwood, Ravenna, Roosevelt light rail station, Green Lake Park and Ride, South Lake Union, and Denny Triangle.King County Metro will remove Route 63. Alternatively, Routes 64 and 322 will provide service between Green Lake Park & Ride and South Lake Union and First Hill.Route 76 will be replaced by upgraded service on Routes 62 and 64. |
| Hawthorne Hills and View Ridge | Route 62 will remain the same, providing service between Sand Point, Ravenna, Bryant, Roosevelt, Wallingford, Fremont, South Lake Union, and Downtown Seattle.Route 64 will continue to provide service between Lake City, Wedgwood, Ravenna, Roosevelt, South Lake Union, and Denny Triangle. Route 64 will connect more directly to the heart of South Lake Union and the Denny Triangle neighborhood. There will be new stops at the Roosevelt light rail station. Riders traveling to First Hill can transfer to Route 322 at the Roosevelt station.Route 65/67 will remain the same, providing service between Jackson Park, Lake City, Wedgewood, Bryant, University District, Roosevelt, Maple Leaf, and Northgate.King County Metro will remove Route 71. Alternate routes will be Routes 62 and 64.King County Metro will remove Route 74. Instead, Route 79 will connect Sand Point, View Ridge, Laurelhurst, Bryant, and Ravenna to the University District and Roosevelt light rail stations.Revised Route 75 will connect to Route 45 for one-seat travel through the University of Washington Campus to the University District light rail station.Route 76 will be replaced by upgraded service on Routes 62 and 64 along NE 65th St.King County Metro will remove Route 78. Routes 67 and 75 are alternative connections between Sand Point, University Village, and the University District. |
| Laurelhurst | Route 65/67 will remain the same, providing service between Jackson Park, Lake City, Wedgewood, Bryant, University District, Roosevelt, Maple Leaf, and Northgate.King County Metro will remove Route 74. Instead, Route 79 will connect Sand Point, View Ridge, Laurelhurst, Bryant, and Ravenna to the University District and Roosevelt light rail stations.Revised Route 75 will connect to Route 45 for one-seat travel through the University of Washington Campus to the University District light rail station.King County Metro will remove Route 78. Route 75 will be an alternative connection between Sand Point, University Village, and the University District. |
| Maple Leaf | King County Metro will replace Route 26 with the new Route 20 providing service between Lake City, Northgate, Green Lake, and the University District.Route 65/67 will remain the same, providing service between Jackson Park, Lake City, Wedgewood, Bryant, University District, Roosevelt, Maple Leaf, and Northgate.King County Metro will replace Routes 77 and 373 with revised Route 73 which will provide a direct connection between Maple Leaf and the Roosevelt light rail station. |
| Ravenna | Route 45 will connect to the revised Route 75 for one-seat travel to the University District light rail station and through the University of Washington Campus.Route 62 will remain the same, providing service between Sand Point, Ravenna, Bryant, Roosevelt, Wallingford, Fremont, South Lake Union, and Downtown Seattle.Route 64 will continue to provide service between Lake City, Wedgwood, Ravenna, Roosevelt, South Lake Union, and Denny Triangle. Route 64 will connect more directly to the heart of South Lake Union and the Denny Triangle neighborhood. There will be new stops at the Roosevelt light rail station. Riders traveling to First Hill can transfer to Route 322 at the Roosevelt station.Route 65/67 will remain the same, providing service between Jackson Park, Lake City, Wedgwood, Bryant, University District, Roosevelt, Maple Leaf, and Northgate.King County Metro will remove Route 71. Alternate routes will be Routes 62 and 64.King County Metro will remove Route 74. Instead, Route 79 will connect Sand Point, View Ridge, Laurelhurst, Bryant, and Ravenna to the University District and Roosevelt light rail stations.Route 76 will be replaced by upgraded service on Routes 62 and 64 along NE 65th St.Route 372 will extend into the University District to connect to the University District light rail station. |
| Roosevelt | New Route 20 will provide service between Lake City, Northgate, Green Lake, and the University District.King County Metro will replace Route 26 with the new Route 20; upgraded service on Route 62 between Green Lake, Fremont, Wallingford, South Lake Union, and Downtown; and revised Routes 31 and 32 providing service between Queen Anne, Fremont, Wallingford, and the University District light rail station.Route 45 will connect to the revised Route 75 for one-seat travel to the University District light rail station and through the University of Washington Campus.Route 62 will remain the same, providing service between Sand Point, Ravenna, Bryant, Roosevelt, Wallingford, Fremont, South Lake Union, and Downtown Seattle.Route 64 will continue to provide service between Lake City, Wedgwood, Ravenna, Roosevelt, South Lake Union, and Denny Triangle. Route 64 will connect more directly to the heart of South Lake Union and the Denny Triangle neighborhood. There will be new stops at the Roosevelt light rail station. Riders traveling to First Hill can transfer to Route 322 at the Roosevelt station.King County Metro will remove Route 71. Alternate routes will be Routes 62 and 64.Route 73 will now connect directly to the Roosevelt light rail station.Route 76 will be replaced by upgraded service on Routes 62 and 64 along NE 65th St.New Route 79 will connect Sand Point, View Ridge, Laurelhurst, Bryant, and Ravenna to the University District and Roosevelt light rail stations. |
| Sand Point | Route 62 will remain the same, providing service between Sand Point, Ravenna, Bryant, Roosevelt, Wallingford, Fremont, South Lake Union, and Downtown Seattle.Revised Route 75 will connect to Route 45 for one-seat travel through the University of Washington Campus to the University District light rail station.King County Metro will remove Route 78. Route 75 will be an alternative connection between Sand Point, University Village, and the University District. New Route 79 will connect Sand Point, View Ridge, Laurelhurst, Bryant, and Ravenna to the University District and Roosevelt light rail stations. |
| University District | New Route 20 will provide service between Lake City, Northgate, Green Lake, and the University District.King County Metro will replace Route 26 with the new Route 20; upgraded service on Route 62 between Green Lake, Fremont, Wallingford, South Lake Union, and Downtown; and revised Routes 31 and 32 providing service between Queen Anne, Fremont, Wallingford, and the University District light rail station.Route 31 will have additional stops on NE 45th St, a connection to the University District Station, and additional Sunday service.Route 32 will have additional stops on NE 45th St and a connection to the University District Station.Route 40 will connect to the Northgate light rail station.Route 44 will connect to the University District light rail station.Route 65/67 will remain the same, providing service between Jackson Park, Lake City, Wedgewood, Bryant, University District, Roosevelt, Maple Leaf, and Northgate.King County Metro will remove Route 71. Alternate routes will be Routes 62 and 64.King County Metro will remove Route 74. Instead, Route 79 will connect Sand Point, View Ridge, Laurelhurst, Bryant, and Ravenna to the University District and Roosevelt light rail stations.Revised Route 75 will connect to Route 45 for one-seat travel through the University of Washington Campus to the University District light rail station.Route 76 will be replaced by upgraded service on Routes 62 and 64 along NE 65th St.King County Metro will remove Route 78. Route 75 will be an alternative connection between Sand Point, University Village, and the University District. New Route 79 will connect Sand Point, View Ridge, Laurelhurst, Bryant, and Ravenna to the University District and Roosevelt light rail stations.Route 372 will extend into the University District to connect to the University District light rail station. |
| Wedgwood | Route 62 will remain the same, providing service between Sand Point, Ravenna, Bryant, Roosevelt, Wallingford, Fremont, South Lake Union, and Downtown Seattle.Route 64 will continue to provide service between Lake City, Wedgwood, Ravenna, Roosevelt, South Lake Union, and Denny Triangle. Route 64 will connect more directly to the heart of South Lake Union and the Denny Triangle neighborhood. There will be new stops at the Roosevelt light rail station. Riders traveling to First Hill can transfer to Route 322 at the Roosevelt station.Route 65/67 will remain the same, providing service between Jackson Park, Lake City, Wedgewood, Bryant, University District, Roosevelt, Maple Leaf, and Northgate.King County Metro will remove Route 71. Alternate routes will be Routes 62 and 64.Route 76 will be replaced by upgraded service on Routes 62 and 64 along NE 65th St.New Route 79 will connect Sand Point, View Ridge, Laurelhurst, Bryant, and Ravenna to the University District and Roosevelt light rail stations. |
For information on other bus route changes, CLICK HERE. For information about Sound Transit Link Light Rail, CLICK HERE. We have been in close contact with King County Metro, Sound Transit, and our own Seattle Department of Transportation and will continue to share your feedback with them.
JUNE 24, 2021 UPDATE:
A thorough analysis of the changes coming October 2021 for King County Metro bus lines was published by Stephen Fesler in The Urbanist blog: CLICK HERE.
MAY 27, 2021 UPDATE: Bus Routes in District 4 will Change with Light Rail Stations Opening in October
Some King County Metro bus routes in our district will change when Sound Transit opens the new Roosevelt and University District (Brooklyn Ave) light rail stations on October 2, 2021. We are eagerly awaiting the opening of these new stations and the quick, frequent service they will provide all the way from City Council Districts 4 and 5 to Capitol Hill, Downtown, Sea-Tac airport, and beyond. But many of us will need to adjust our travel patterns to the updated Metro bus routes that are changing to maximize use of this growing regional transit system. For example, riders of the 74 bus will be driven to the new U District light rail station on Brooklyn Avenue instead of directly to downtown and, if your trip originates from Sand Point, you’ll have the option of riding the new 79 bus to the new Roosevelt light rail station. For that example of the 74 and 79 buses, CLICK HERE. For info on other bus route changes, CLICK HERE and then click on “Route Information” at the top of that site (or see list below). More bus information is available at THIS LINK.
To comment directly to King County Metro about your buses, CLICK HERE or call them at 206-553-3000. For Sound Transit, CLICK HERE.
We have been in close contact with King County Metro, Sound Transit, and our own Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and will continue to share your feedback with them.
King County Bus Route changes starting October 2021:
[NOTE: THESE LINKS ARE OLD; GO TO OCT 1, 2021 UPDATE INSTEAD]
the changes above will be in effect October 2021
MARCH 2021: Bus Route Changes Starting March 2021 (until October 2021).
Typically, King County announces bus route changes twice a year and these go into effect in the Spring and in the Fall. For the changes in effect starting March 2021, CLICK HERE.
MARCH 20, 2020 (original post): Paying Transit Fares is Optional as COVID Pandemic Worsens
As of Saturday, March 21, 2020 it’s optional to pay fares for both King County Metro and Sound Transit, until further notice.
In response to significantly reduced ridership since the emergence of COVID-19, Metro will temporarily move to a Reduced Schedule starting Monday, March 23.
The reductions are designed to maintain off-peak hours. Schedules will be posted on Metro’s web page Saturday, March 21. A few routes are being suspended entirely during the crisis. Alternatives for the temporarily suspended Route 78 (Children’s Hospital to UW/Husky Stadium Link Station) are: Routes 31/32, 65/67, and 75. The best alternative route for the temporarily suspended Sound Transit Route 541 from Overlake to the UW/Stadium Link is Route 542.
Even with these temporary reductions in the frequency of bus service during this crisis, we’re relieved King County Metro will maintain most bus routes throughout Seattle connecting everyone to places of care, to services (including grocery stores), and to jobs for Seattle residents unable to work from home.
Metro’s press release is here: https://kingcountymetro.blog/2020/03/19/reducedschedule/
Route schedule and map page: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/schedules-maps.aspx
Metro info page with links: https://metrocommute.wordpress.com/
Seattle routes: https://sdotblog.seattle.gov/2020/03/19/temporary-transit-service-reductions-start-monday-march-23/
King County Executive press release: https://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/constantine/news/release/2020/March/20-metro-covid19-update.aspx
Sound Transit press release: https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/sound-transit-to-suspend-fares-all-transit-modes-until
Posted: June 15th, 2021 under Councilmember Pedersen