RapidRide takes Metro service to a new level

October 4, 2010

Summary

Story

Taking some time to check out the new RapidRide bus is Federal Way Councilmember Jeanne Burbidge, King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer and Federal Way May Linda Kochmar.

A new bus service has arrived in south King County. On Saturday, RapidRide started its A-line route along Pacific Highway S/International Blvd to the Federal Way Transit Center and the Tukwila International Boulevard Station. RapidRide will provide service to a number of cities and major destinations, as well as connect riders to Link light rail and local bus routes.

“Offering a faster and more frequent bus service that is reliable is very important to South King County, as many citizens depend on the bus for means of transportation,” said King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. “With RapidRide we are able to find a balance between the importance of cost-efficient spending and meeting our citizen’s needs.”

The A-Line is operating twenty-four hours a day. During peak commuting periods the buses are scheduled to arrive every 10 minutes, and every 15 minutes the rest of the day. To make the frequent bus stops more efficient, RapidRide buses have been designed with low floors and multiple doors to make boarding easy and fast. The RapidRide stations have also been designed with real-time bus arrival signs and ORCA card readers, so riders with cards can pay before they board the bus.

RapidRide is a key element of Transit Now, the initiative King County voters passed in 2006. Although the tough economy has caused a steep decline in Metro’s revenues and has forced them to suspend some parts of the Transit Now program, RapidRide has managed to develop because of its potential to efficiently serve thousands of riders in some of the county’s most densely populated areas. The King County Executive and County Council have taken action to support the program, and Metro has been awarded millions of dollars in grants. Combined, these grants are expected to cover nearly 40 percent of the capital cost of putting RapidRide on the road. Metro is expected to launch five more RapidRide lines between now and 2013.