What to Watch for in 2018
by Martin H. Duke from Seattle Transit Blog on (#3C4QP)
Say goodbye to this (VeloBusDriver/Flickr)
2018 is a planning year, not a big one for openings in the Puget Sound region.
Openings- On July 1st, Metro's new $2.75 adult flat fare comes into effect. Also, the Regional Reduced Fare Permit - the senior / disabilities version of the ORCA card - will become free some time this year.
- Amtrak, BNSF, and Sound Transit will get Positive Train Control working this year, allowing Cascades to use the Point Defiance Bypass.
- Kitsap Transit rolls out passenger ferry service between Kingston and Seattle this summer.
- Metro and SDOT finish up a series of reliability improvements for Route 8.
- The Seaway Transit Center opens toward the end of this year.
- The long-awaited 2nd Avenue cycle track opens in Belltown in January or February.
- If the hearing goes well, the Seattle Council will vote on the bulk of HALA zoning changes.
- The Seattle Center Monorail is ready to start accepting debit/credit cards, ORCA cards, ORCA transfers and passes, and implement an ORCA LIFT fare, once it gets final approval from the ORCA Joint Board.
- Lynnwood Link.
- The Montlake phase of SR520 begins.
- The Tacoma Link extension, this fall.
- Center City Connector (2nd Quarter)
- Already underway: Swift Green Line
- Final design for RapidRide G (Madison) and RapidRide H (Delridge) finishes in the fall.
- This is the big year for alternatives analysis for Link between Ballard and West Seattle.