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by Martin H. Duke on (#3WG85)
WSDOT funding the waterfront shuttle. 2nd Avenue bike ridership up 16% since 2015. Subsidized Uber/Lyft rides on Mercer Island now more expensive, still subsidized. Dungeness Line buses from Port Angeles to Seatac considering adjustments to route, schedule, fares. The old operator had separate buses to Port Angeles and Port Townsend. The new operator (Greyhound) makes […]
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Seattle Transit Blog
| Link | https://seattletransitblog.com/ |
| Feed | https://feeds.feedburner.com/seattletransitblog/rss |
| Updated | 2024-11-22 17:45 |
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by Peter Johnson on (#3WEF2)
As of 9:21 this morning, every candidate endorsed by Seattle Transit Blog in this election has finished in the top two of their primary. Obviously, our endorsement is the main reason they’ve succeeded. Here are the latest vote totals. Marko Liias, Legislative District 21 Incumbent and longtime friend of transit Marko Liias will almost certainly […]
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by Martin H. Duke on (#3WEB7)
In any major city, a popular hobby is to bash the local transit agency. Think of a city you envy, and its residents despise a system that you can scarcely dream of. King County Metro is no exception. We all have our gripes. As a reality check, the American Public Transit Association named our very […]
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by Peter Johnson on (#3WDS2)
The big news from the July 26 Sound Transit Board meeting was that the Federal Way Link extension will cost about $460m more than originally planned. It may not be the last project to cost more than expected: at the meeting, CEO Peter Rogoff briefed the board about mounting challenges in delivering capital projects on time […]
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by Guest Contributor on (#3WBMZ)
Below is a joint letter from Seattle’s Transportation Advisory Boards, which was sent to Mayor Durkan last month. As the search for a new SDOT director stretches on, we thought our readers would be interested in what the advisory boards want to see from the department going forward. – ed. As members of the Seattle […]
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by Brent White on (#3W970)
Update: Erica Barnett at The C is for Crank has a rundown of what Councilmember Sawant’s proposed ordinance would do (putting severe restrictions on a lot more property than the Showbox) and rapid timeline for approval. The movement to save the Showbox has grown quickly, and attracted some wanting an opportunity to proverbially punch a […]
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by Oran Viriyincy on (#3W7QN)
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by Peter Johnson on (#3W6A3)
On Thursday, August 2, the Sound Transit Board’s Executive Committee approved a plan to power Link almost entirely from renewable energy resources, as part of a program ST developed with regional governments and Puget Sound Energy (PSE.) By July 2019, Sound Transit will lower its emissions by 71 percent, with renewable energy generated by a […]
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by Peter Johnson on (#3W4DG)
On Thursday, August 3, Sound Transit staff briefed the ST board’s Executive Committee on the agency’s goals for two TOD projects near the Capitol Hill Link station. Both projects will feature ground floor retail and affordable housing, and will build to the maximum density that their zoning allows. The First Hill site, near the intersection […]
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by Frank Chiachiere on (#3W2WQ)
Ofo packing in the towel (2:00) Mayor’s streetcar questions (16:24) Federal Way overruns (28:04) Reforming the fare evasion policy (36:05) http://traffic.libsyn.com/seattletransitblog/STB_podcast_64.mp3
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by Frank Chiachiere on (#3W2AQ)
Allowing Seattle City Light to sell surplus land for affordable housing… …let’s use it to build mass timber social housing instead Josh Feit wants us to look past the Showbox: more housing, less nostalgia A ban on apartments hurts public education Nicole Grant in the Seattle Times: the city should add more ADUs Exploring Seattle […]
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by Peter Johnson on (#3VZXN)
On Monday, the Seattle City Council voted in favor of two major expansions of public bike infrastructure, though one is a nonbinding resolution, and does not carry the force of law. The meaningful vote authorizes the expansion of dockless bike share to a potential 20,000 vehicles, provided SDOT develops a bikeshare parking enforcement regime and […]
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by Peter Johnson on (#3VYBC)
The fate of the Center City Connector (CCC) is still undecided, but Mayor Jenny Durkan may have tipped her hand towards canceling the project. A release sent out by Durkan’s office last week explained why the mayor’s decision has been delayed. An analysis of the project by consulting firm KPMG has yet to be completed, […]
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by David Lawson on (#3VXMQ)
On Friday, SDOT and Metro announced two rounds of transit improvements for 3rd Avenue, still the region’s busiest transit corridor. They will coincide with the next two Metro service changes, and are as follows: September 2018 Extend the hours of the current car restrictions along 3rd to 6 a.m.-7 p.m. seven days a week (with 9 […]
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by STB Editorial Board on (#3VVH1)
Correction: See the underlined and struck-out text in paragraph 3. In a wide-open race for State Senator from the 34th District (representing West Seattle, Burien, and Vashon Island), there are several good candidates from whom to choose. Joe Nguyen stands out as having a razor-sharp understanding of transit and land use issues, and firm commitment […]
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by Oran Viriyincy on (#3VSXF)
I’M GONNA BE THE VOICE ON PUBLIC TRANSIT IN MY HOMETOWN OF VANCOUVER. pic.twitter.com/JduvqtqU3o — Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) July 26, 2018
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by Brent White on (#3VRKC)
Portland TriMet recently rolled out the first-of-its-kind-in-the-US “virtual†smart card. The virtual Hop Fastpass account requires use of GooglePay on an Android smartphone, but doesn’t require getting or using a physical Hop Fastpass. The smartphone accessing the account provides all the functionality of the physical Hop Fastpass, using the same motion of briefly holding the […]
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by Frank Chiachiere on (#3VQ9H)
This week, Sound Transit’s board approved an expanded permit program that would bring paid parking to several of its most popular park-and-ride lots. In addition to the $5 carpool permits, ST will now add a permit for single-occupancy drivers. Rates will vary based on the location of the park and ride but could be as […]
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by Martin H. Duke on (#3VPSA)
SDOT announced last week that a key stretch of 4th Ave S will get a bus lane this Fall. The project extends the existing northbound bus lane between Jackson and Weller further south to the I-90 exit Royal Brougham Way. This lane will be 24/7, though cars will be allowed to turn right. SDOT will […]
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by Peter Johnson on (#3VNA7)
Sound Transit staff will inform the agency’s board today that the Federal Way Link extension’s official cost estimate will increase from $2.088 billion to $2.549 billion. The notice comes a year after the agency announced similar budgeting problems for the Lynnwood Link extension. According to Sound Transit spokesperson Scott Thompson, the Federal Way cost increase […]
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by Martin H. Duke on (#3VMD2)
Mayor Durkan’s grim record on transit. Electric buses also have public health benefits. Many bus riders apparently not reading STB. This Times article ($) on streetcar mishaps got a lot of attention, but it’s not clear what facts actually emerge in the article. You won’t believe what the WSDOT head said. I’m proud of him. […]
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by Peter Johnson on (#3VJ76)
Several of the world’s largest oil companies have committed nearly a million dollars to defeating Washington Initiative 1631, which would institute a carbon emission fee on the state’s largest polluters in order to fund affordable housing and green energy projects. Two “against†campaigns have been organized to oppose I-1631. One was organized by the Association […]
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by Dan Ryan on (#3VFV6)
Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff has suggested the agency is exploring creative financing options for Everett Link that shift some costs outside of agency debt limits. If successful, this would mitigate the risk of project delays as Sound Transit bumps up against statutory limits on debt in the 2030s, and may even accelerate the timetable. […]
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by Frank Chiachiere on (#3VDMN)
When the new 520 bridge opened last year, it created a glorious, continuous HOV-3 lane from Bellevue all the way to Montlake. Unfortunately, it also created a new bottleneck for buses: the Eastbound offramp from SR-520 to Montlake Blvd has become a notorious parking lot for cars and buses exiting the freeway, as any passenger […]
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by Oran Viriyincy on (#3VBW1)
Nice interactive chart and map that shows bus bunching on Pittsburgh’s busiest bus corridors. I’d love to see something like this for Seattle.
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by Bruce Englehardt on (#3VAHW)
After 15 months of relatively easy digging, Sound Transit celebrated the completion of East Link tunnel excavation in Downtown Bellevue. The tunnel will carry East Link trains from East Main Station (at 112th Avenue and Main Street) to Bellevue Downtown Station (at Bellevue Transit Center and the city hall), traveling for 1,984 feet under 110th […]
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by Martin H. Duke on (#3V8QK)
RapidRide H (Delridge) now at 10% design, slipping from 2020 to 2021. Jon Talton argues for the CCC ($) in the Times. 9th Avenue gets red paint. Seattle has so. much. parking. ($) Ofo backing out of most U.S. cities. I hope Seattle survives the cut, but SDOT jacking up fees seems ill-timed. A timetable […]
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by STB Editorial Board on (#3V6YP)
Transit has no stronger advocate in the State Legislature than Sen. Marko Liias. Liias serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, where he has been able to speak up against non-sensical efforts to undermine transit agencies, and advocate for more investment in public transit, with huge success. STB has covered Liias’ career championing […]
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by STB Editorial Board on (#3V6HN)
Outside of Seattle, very few candidates are mentioning transit these days. It seems to be an ebb tide in willingness of politicians, including Democrats, to stand up for transit. Swimming against this tide is Shoreline Deputy Mayor Jesse Salomon, whom we endorsed when he got elected to the Shoreline City Council in 2015. Salomon proved […]
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by Peter Johnson on (#3V459)
On Monday, the Sound Transit West Seattle and Ballard Link stakeholder advisory group, which includes transit advocates, prominent community members, and business and labor leaders, moved further along the process of selecting alignments and station locations for the West Seattle and Ballard light rail lines. In Monday’s meeting in Union Station’s Sound Transit boardroom, agency […]
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by Peter Johnson on (#3TZDW)
On Thursday, the Puget Sound Regional Council’s (PSRC) Transportation Policy Board (TPB) recommended that five transit projects receive additional Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) funding in 2021-22. The projects were part of a larger disbursement of federal transportation funds, including highway funding, which must be approved in a meeting of the PSRC’s Executive Board on July […]
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by Peter Johnson on (#3TZJV)
The Center City Connector, a streetcar on First Avenue with dedicated right of way, has an uncertain fate. Mayor Jenny Durkan halted construction of the streetcar at the end of March and ordered a project review by consulting and auditing firm KPMG. When Durkan first halted construction on the streetcar, transit advocates speculated that the […]
by Oran Viriyincy on (#3TXPH)
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by Martin H. Duke on (#3TWC2)
Last year Mercer Island settled its lawsuit with Sound Transit for some money to improve access issues for the future Mercer Island Station. I’m pleased to say that one of those programs will be easy to like: a 25-Ebike pilot program with Limebike, running from mid-July to mid-October. The Mercer Island Reporter says that Limebike […]
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by Martin H. Duke on (#3TTSC)
True to their word, climate activists that found reasons to oppose I-732’s carbon tax have gathered the signatures for a new measure, I-1631. It’s now virtually assured of appearing on your November 2018 ballot. The measure would levy a “pollution fee†on the carbon content of all consumed fossil fuels, and electricity generated or imported […]
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by Peter Johnson on (#3TSA2)
According to a University of Toronto paper published in June, the growth of Uber has increased transit ridership in cities across the United States, with some caveats. The conclusions of the paper support the premise behind last-mile pilot projects on Mercer Island and in Pierce County, and backs up Lyft’s strategy to integrate ride hailing […]
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by Martin H. Duke on (#3TPQ3)
Metro permanently closing some 5 and 21 stops to speed things up. Route 120 (RapidRide H) can get more funding under new Transportation Benefit District rules Businesses may push Mayor Durkan to end foot-dragging on the streetcar ($). Link operator helps police subdue threatening passenger; policy immediately changes to prevent that in the future. E-Bikes […]
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by Bruce Englehardt on (#3TMP1)
Mark your calendars for July 21. That’s the date that Convention Place Station will close permanently, heralding the upcoming end of bus service through the downtown transit tunnel. As we mentioned last month, buses will access the tunnel using a temporary ramp from 9th Avenue between Pine Street and Olive Way. The ramp is nearing […]
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by STB Editorial Board on (#3TJQE)
For the ten years this blog has existed, STB has been offering endorsements in public elections. This year, we are planning to be a little more nuanced, and offer some ratings in various races, along with endorsements where there is a clear and obvious best choice. We look solely at the candidates’ records and positions […]
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by Peter Johnson on (#3TJ7E)
The One Center City (OCC) Advisory Group, tasked with developing a plan to increase mobility in central Seattle during the impending period of maximum constraint, released its recommendations for near term capital projects in June. The plan must still be approved by the Seattle City Council and other stakeholders. Early discussions proposed transformational changes downtown and […]
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by Oran Viriyincy on (#3TGKC)
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by Frank Chiachiere on (#3TF53)
Details on Uber Bikes in Seattle Downtown Bellevue tunneling ahead of schedule Local YIMBY movement profile $1.2B grant request for Lynnwood Link French city trying out free transit on weekends The flat fare is now in effect All-door boarding is a good idea, more cities should do it 730,000 people live in Seattle Big plans for […]
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by Peter Johnson on (#3TDM2)
The Puget Sound region’s transit investments are paying off. In recent years, ridership has grown faster in the Seattle region than anywhere else in the United States, according to the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC.) That trend is true over the long term, as total ridership in the Puget Sound region has grown by 19 […]
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by Bruce Englehardt on (#3TB82)
Last Thursday, the Sound Transit Board was briefed about progress on East Link and the related Downtown Redmond Link Extension. East Link construction has been well underway for a few months, with visible progress from Mercer Island to Overlake, while the Downtown Redmond extension is still in early design and is awaiting the publication of […]
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by Frank Chiachiere on (#3TAKN)
0:00 – intro 2:19 – CCC to Trolleybus 9:19 – ORCA 10:50 – Gondola 15:41 – Montlake transfers 22:48 – Northgate truncation? 27:04 – Strategies for advocacy 31:15 – Rainier BRT 32:25 – CCC’s future 33:39 – link transfers 40:09 – Colman dock 42:10 – escalators in link stations 43:53 – advocacy for HOV lanes 50:06 […]
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by Brent White on (#3TAKP)
As part of the fare restructure that brought King County Metro’s $2.75 regular flat fare, effective this week, King County Metro has gotten all four counties in the ORCA pod to make the first Regional Reduced Fare Permit free for each recipient, also effective this week. Regional Reduced Fare Permits are for seniors 65 or […]
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by Martin H. Duke on (#3TAKQ)
Frank and I are going to tape another podcast mailbag. Please put your questions in the comments below this afternoon. As always, try to keep it to a single question, and make it one that can actually be answered. Thanks.
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by Martin H. Duke on (#3TAKR)
Transit and Urbanism advocates are used to a defensive crouch when hearing news from Olympia. But buried in a supplemental budget earlier this spring, the Departments of Ecology and Commerce created a great new program. The Governor’s Budget request included $7.4m for the Healthy Housing Remediation Program (HHRP) . Nonprofit organizations identify contaminated sites that […]
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by Oran Viriyincy on (#3TAKT)
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by Peter Johnson on (#3TAKW)
Sound Transit will implement positive train control (PTC) on all Sounder trips by the end of 2018, according to Sound Transit Director of Systems Engineering Peter Brown. In a presentation to the Sound Transit board on Thursday, Brown summarized the progress of PTC implementation. In 2008, the federal government mandated that all commuter rail systems […]
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