Thanksgiving Service
I give thanks that transit operates 365 days a year here in Seattle. Some in transit get the day off, some do not.
The day after Thanksgiving is now designated Mark McLaughlin Day by King County, in honor of the operator who was shot and killed by a passenger 17 years ago. The bus went off the Aurora Bridge, and miraculously landed upright in a clump of trees. Only three people died - McLaughlin, the gunman, and one passenger.
The safety record of public transit is something for which I am grateful. I tell the operator "thanks" every time I ride the bus.
Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26
Numerous transit agencies will not be in service on Thankgiving Day: the monorail, the South Lake Union Streetcar, the King County Water Taxis, Skagit Transit, Island Transit, Whatcom Transit, Clallam Transit, Intercity Transit, Twin Transit, Mason Transit, Jefferson Transit, Greys Harbor Transit, and Kitsap Transit. Nor will Sounder or Community Transit commuter buses be running.
The remaining agencies will be running on Sunday schedules: King County Metro, Sound Transit's other services (Link Light Rail, ST Express, and the Tacoma Link streetcar), Pierce Transit, Community Transit's local routes, and Everett Transit.
The Day After Thanksgiving, Friday, November 27
Sounder will be running on a special limited service schedule, including a mid-day round trip to serve the parade.
Most agencies will be back on their normal weekday schedules: the South Lake Union Streetcar, the monorail, Pierce Transit, Skagit Transit, Island Transit, Whatcom Transit, Clallam Transit, Intercity Transit, Jefferson Transit, Greys Harbor Transit, and Kitsap Transit. ST Express, the Tacoma Link streetcar, and Community Transit local buses will also be on weekday schedules.
The only Community Transit commuter routes running will be routes 402, 413, 421, and 855.
Mason Transit and Twin Transit will be on Saturday schedules.
Everett Transit will be on its Sunday schedule.
King County Water Taxis will not be in service.
King County Metro will be running a Reduced Weekday and Reduced UW schedule, so if your route is one of the dozens affected, check your route's schedule to see which trips are indicated as being cancelled.
The permanent advice for Washington State Ferries is to check the schedule for your route, and make a reservation, if driving and if your route takes reservations.
Sunday, November 29
The monorail will open early, at 6:45 am, for the Seattle Marathon.