ST/Metro/State Cooperation Will Bring More Service for South King County
The miscellaneous route restructures for King County Metro proposed for March 2016, transmitted from the King County Executive Dow Constantine to the County Council last week, included some good news for South King County Commuters:
Metro is proposing service additions to peak period service on two routes in the I-5 South Corridor: routes 179 and 190. Metro was awarded State Regional Mobility Grant funding for these routes to relieve congestion on Interstate 5 between Federal Way and downtown Seattle, which accommodates over 150,000 vehicles every day, with very high volumes during peak periods. During peak periods, it can take commuters more than an hour to drive the 22 miles between these places due to congestion. Adding two AM and two PM peak trips to both routes 179 and 190 will enable Metro to serve more riders during these periods, relieve crowding on existing service, and reduce single occupancy vehicle traffic. Both Metro and Sound Transit partnered together in pursuing this grant funding. The Regional Mobility Grant will also fund additional service for Sound Transit Route 577.
Route 179 serves western Federal Way, Federal Way Transit Center, and downtown Seattle. Route 190 serves Redondo Heights Park & Ride, Star Lake P&R, and downtown Seattle.
Sound Transit will be adding two AM peak direction trips and one PM peak direction trip on ST Express 577 in the upcoming September service change.