Phillips to Metro: Retain bus connection between Rainier Valley, International District for low income seniors

April 29, 2009

Summary

Community expresses concerns about Metro’s proposal to eliminate Route 42 in September

Story

After receiving letters and hearing testimony from community members concerned about the proposed elimination of Route 42 in September, Metropolitan King County Councilmember Larry Phillips today asked Metro Transit to develop options that retain a bus connection from the International District for those who rely on transit service to the Rainier Valley.

“Metro Transit riders like their existing bus service, and aren’t shy about letting us know when they depend on it,” said Phillips. “Light rail will soon open for service, providing a great opportunity to revise existing Metro bus service to enhance overall transit opportunities. But within those revisions, we must ensure people continue to have access to the bus connections on which they depend.”

At a joint public hearing last night, members of the Council’s Physical Environment Committee and Budget and Fiscal Management Committee heard many riders speak in favor of retaining service along the Route 42 corridor because of its importance to low-income, veteran, disabled, non-English speaking, and elderly riders, many of whom commute between the International District and the facilities of Asian Counseling and Referral Services (ACRS), located on Martin Luther King Jr. Way. ACRS provides health and social services to 22,000 people per year, and clients and agency officials provided compelling testimony in favor of keeping in place some of the connections provided by Route 42, .

The proposed elimination of Route 42 is a part of a plan for restructuring Metro service in southeast Seattle, and southwest King County in response to the arrival of Link light rail service July 18. The changes must be approved by the County Council and would take effect in September or February.


Proposed transit changes in southeast Seattle