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Changes coming to north King County
Effective 10-02-21 thru 03-18-22
Vigente del 10-02-21 al 03-18-22
2021 年 10 月 2 日至 2022 年 3 月 18 日有效
2021년 10월 2일부터 2022년 3월 18일까지 유효
Có hiệu lực từ ngày 2/10/2021 đến ngày 18/3/2022
Big changes are coming to bus service in north King County in October. Learn more about how the changes may impact your travel.
North King County route revisions
Changes by route
Route 5x will be removed as of October 2, 2021.
Reason for change:
- Service expanded and replaced by the new Route 16.
- Extends trips to begin and end at North 145th St.
- Adds trips at select stops along with Route 5 Local in peak direction to create more frequency.
- Provides limited stops over entire length of Greenwood Ave N south of N 145th St.
- New morning and afternoon peak service 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM and 3:45 PM to 6:00 PM.
- Creates a new all-day connection between Lake City, Northgate, Green Lake, the University District, U District Station, and UW Medical Center.
- Provides an alternate route for removed routes 26 and 75.
Route 26x will be removed as of October 2, 2021.
Reason for change:
- To improve service levels and add trips to east-west routes 31, 32, and 44.
- To better integrate Metro bus service with Link light rail.
Route revised to services stops along NE 45th St with a connection to the new U District Station and Link Light Rail.
- The route reconnects to its original routing along NE 40th St and through to Magnolia.
- Additional Sunday Service has been added.
Route now services stops along NE 45th St with a connection to the new U District Station and Link Light Rail.
- The route reconnects to its original routing along NE 40th St and through to Seattle Center.
- Provides an alternate route for Revised Route 75 between the University District and Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Route 40 will begin all southbound trips at the new Northgate Station, and end all northbound trips at the new Northgate Station. The route is otherwise unchanged.
Route 41 will be removed as of October 2, 2021.
To reduce duplication of service, since Link 1 Line (light rail) will be a fast, frequent and reliable service between Northgate and Downtown Seattle.
Alternate routes:
- Along NE 125th St and 5th Ave NE - Route 75
- To Downtown Seattle – Link 1 Line (Link Light Rail)
- During Peak periods riders may also use Route 302 and 303 to reach destinations in the south end of Downtown Seattle.
- A majority of this route remains unchanged.
- Westbound route utilizes a new stop along NE 43rd St at Brooklyn Ave NE to allow connection to the U District Station and Link Light Rail.
- A majority of this route remains unchanged.
- Westbound route utilizes new stop along NE 43rd St at Brooklyn Ave NE to allow connection to the U District Station and Link Light Rail.
Route remains mostly unchanged but now through-routes with the revised Route 75 to connect through UW Campus and has been revised to directly serve the Roosevelt Station along NE 65th Street.
This change extends routing further North along 15th Ave NE to the University Heights Building.
Routing changed to better serve U District Station with a new stop on NE 43rd Street at Brooklyn Avenue NE.
Route 63 will be removed as of October 2, 2021 to provide resources for a new faster Route 320 connecting Northgate and South Lake Union, and a new faster Route 322 connecting Roosevelt to First Hill. Alternate routes:
- Between Northgate and South Lake Union - Route 320 provides peak-period service .
- Between Green Lake Park & Ride and South Lake Union or First Hill, use routes 64 or 322
- Route 67 provides frequent service on Roosevelt Way NE to connect to Link 1 Line (light rail) or routes 62 or 64 at Roosevelt Station.
- Revised to help reduce duplication of service with the Link light rail while maintaining connections to areas not yet served by Link.
- The Route 64 will now start along NE 130th St and continue on it’s normal routing until it reaches the South Lake Union Area.
- In the South Lake Union Area, Route 64 will continue along Westlake Ave N and connect to the center of the South Lake Union neighborhood and the Denny Triangle area instead of continuing towards First Hill. Route 322 will provide a connection between Roosevelt Station and First Hill.
- The Route 65 Night Owl Service will be restored to help provide more late night travel options.
- 3 additional Night Owl Trips will be added.
- Route 67 will connect with the Link 1 Rail (Link Light Rail) at Northgate Station.
- There will be three Night Owl late night trips added.
- Route now travels along NE 43rd St and services a new stop at NE 43rd St in the outbound/northbound direction and NE 45th St in the inbound/southbound direction to connect to the Link light rail.
Route 71 will be removed as of October 2, 2021 to provide resources for new connections to the Link 1 Line (light rail) and services for more east-west crosstown service.
Alternate routes:
- Trips to locations north of NE 65th Street can use the new Route 79 providing connections between Sand Point and the new Roosevelt Station via NE 75th St.
- Trips along NE 65th Street can use existing routes 62 and 64.
- Trips south of NE 65th Street can use the Link 1 Line (light rail) and existing routes 45, 73, and 75.
New routing shifts between NE 80th St and NE Ravenna Boulevard to service the new Roosevelt Station before connecting back to its original routing.
Provides an alternate route for:
- Removed routes 77, 373
Route 74 will be removed as of October 2, 2021 to reduce duplication of service to Downtown Seattle with the faster Link light rail .
Alternate routes:
- Trips to Downtown Seattle can be made by connecting to the Link Light Rail at the U District Station via Route 79.
- Route 79 provides service between View Ridge and the University District.
- From Northgate, Route 75 continues along 5th Ave NE and NE 125th St before connecting to its original routing along Sand Point Way NE.
- Route 75 connects to the revised Route 45 to provide a one-seat travel option between Seattle Children’s and Greenwood/Loyal Heights.
Route 76 will be removed as of October 2, 2021 to simplify the service design in Northeast Seattle and provide better east-west corridors.
Alternate routes:
- Routes 62, 64, New Route 79, and Link 1 Line (light rail)
Route 77 will be removed as of October 2, 2021 to simplify service while improving connections to Link 1 Line (light rail).
Alternate routes:
- For trips North of NE 145th Street use the upgraded Route 348 providing service to Northgate Station where riders can catch Link light rail to Downtown Seattle
- For trips between NE 145th Street and Pinehurst Way NE, riders an use the more frequent service on Routes 347 and 348 providing service to Northgate Station where riders can catch Link 1 Line (light rail) to Downtown Seattle.
- For trips South of Pinehurst Way NE, riders can use the Route 73 providing service to Roosevelt Station where riders can catch this route to Link 1 Line (light rail) to Downtown Seattle.
Route 78 will be removed as of October 2, 2021 to simplify service and improve connections to Seattle Children’s Hospital and Link 1 Line (light rail).
Alternate routes:
- Routes 31, 32, 67, 75
- Provides new connection between Roosevelt Station and Sand Point via NE 75th St.
- Replaces Route 74 between Sandpoint and the University District.
- Provides an alternate route for removed routes 71, 76.
- Route 301 will no longer serve downtown, instead connecting riders to fast and frequent Link 1 Line (light rail) service at the Northgate Station.
- Route will provide more frequent two-way peak service between Aurora Village Transit Center, Shoreline, and Northgate Station.
- Route 302 provides weekday, peak commuter period service between Richmond Beach, Aurora Village Transit Center, Northgate, and First Hill via the I-5 Express Lanes
- Route 303 provides express service between Aurora Village Transit Center, Northgate, and First Hill through the I-5 Express Lanes.
- Route 303 will no longer serve the Shoreline Park & Ride.
- Route 304 will no longer serve Downtown Seattle, instead riders may connect to Link 1 Line (light rail) at the Northgate Station.
- Route 304 will now serve the Shoreline Park and Ride and no longer extend west to Richmond Beach.
Route 308 will be removed as of October 2, 2021 to reduce duplication of service with new Metro Routes and the Link 1 Line (light rail).
Route 309 will be removed as of October 2, 2021 to improve travel times to First Hill and South Lake Union via two new routes: Route 322 and 320.
Alternate routes:
- For connections between Kenmore and First Hill, riders may utilize the New Metro Route 322 which also connects to the Link 1 Line (light rail) at Roosevelt Station.
- For connections between Kenmore and South Lake Union, riders may utilize the new Route 320 which also connects to the Link 1 Line (light rail) at the Northgate Station.
Route 312 will be removed as of October 2, 2021 to improve travel times to First Hill and South Lake Union via two new routes: Route 322 and 320.
Alternate routes:
- For connections between Kenmore and First Hill, riders may utilize the New Metro Route 322 which connects to the Link Light Rail at the Roosevelt Station for access to Downtown Seattle.
- For connections between Kenmore and South Lake Union, riders may utilize the new Route 320 which connects to the Link Light Rail at the Northgate Station for access to Downtown Seattle.
Route 316 will be removed as of October 2, 2021 to reduce duplication of service with the Link Light Rail and other routes.
Alternate routes:
- Replacement service is provided by routes 20, 45, 345, 346 and Link 1 Line (light rail).
- North of N 92nd St, Route 316 is replaced by: routes 345 or 346 improved peak frequency to/from Northgate Station where riders can transfer between Metro and Link 1 Line (light rail).
- Between N 85th Street and N 92nd Street, Route 316 is replaced by: New Route 20 to/from Northgate Station where riders can transfer between Metro and Link 1 Line (light rail).
- South of N 85th Street, Route 316 is replaced by: Route 45 to/from Roosevelt Station where riders can transfer between Metro and Link 1 Line (light rail).
- The new Route 320 will operate between Kenmore, Northgate Station and the South Lake Union areas during peak commuting times.
- Improves integration between Metro and Link light rail services, and connect north King County to the South Lake Union – an area which is not yet directly served by Link light rail.
- Route 322 will provide Peak trips on weekdays between Kenmore and First Hill via SR-522, Roosevelt Station and I-5.
- Provides replacement for both discontinued routes 312 and 309.
- Route 331 routing will remain unchanged but will be more frequent during the peak periods on weekdays
- On weekdays, during the AM and PM Peak periods, frequency of service on the Route 331 will be improved from every 30-minutes to every 20-minutes.
- Where Route 345 shares routing with Route 346, they will provide a combined frequency of every 10 minutes during the weekday peak periods and every 15 minutes throughout the day and on weekends.
- Improving AM and PM peak frequencies on Route 345 on weekdays.
- Where Route 346 shares routing with Route 345, they will provide a combined frequency of every 10 minutes during the weekday peak periods and every 15 minutes throughout the day and on weekends.
- Along Meridian Ave N, south of N 115th Street Routes 345 and 346 provide frequent connections with Link light rail at Northgate Station, Northwest Hospital and North Seattle College.
- Where Route 347 shares routing with Route 348, they will provide a combined frequency of every 10 minutes during the weekday peak periods and every 15-minutes throughout the day and on weekends.
- Along 15th Avenue NE and Pinehurst Way NE, Routes 347 and 348 provide frequent connections with Link light rail at Northgate Station.
- Revised to improve service along 15th Ave NE and provide more frequent connections to the Link Light Rail at Northgate Station.
- Peak hour trips will change from every 30 minutes to running every 20 minutes.
Route 355 will be removed as of October 2, 2021 to reduce duplication of service with the Link Light Rail and other routes.
Alternate routes:
- For trips starting North of NE 145th St riders may use the improved Route 304 to reach the Northgate Station.
- For trips starting between NE 145th St and NE 130th St riders may use the improved Route 345 to reach the Northgate Station and Shoreline Community College.
- The route extends into the University District with new connections to the U District Station and Link 1 Line (light rail) to downtown
Route 373 will be removed as of October 2, 2021 to reduce duplication of service with the Link Light Rail and other routes.
Alternate routes:
- For trips starting in Shoreline west of I-5, riders can use routes 301, 302, 303, or 346 to reach Northgate Station and transfer to the Link 1 Line (light rail) to connect to the University District.
- For trips starting in Shoreline east of I-5 riders, can use the improved Route 347 to transfer to the Route 73 at Jackson Park or connect to the Link 1 Line (light rail) at Northgate Station.
- For trips starting in Seattle south of NE 145th St, riders may use the newly improved Route 73 or use Route 347 or 348 to the Northgate Station and transfer onto the Link 1 Line (light rail) to reach the University District.
- Sound Transit Route 522 will no longer serve downtown, instead connecting riders to the faster and more frequent Link 1 Line (light rail) at the Roosevelt Station.
- Weekday service from 4:45 AM to 11:30 PM every 16-30 minutes.
- Saturday service from 5:40 AM to 11 PM every 30 minutes.
- Sunday service from 6:30 AM to 11:30 PM every 30 minutes.
Maps
Have a question?
For more assistance, see the FAQ or call Metro's Customer Information at 206-553-3000.
Get an ORCA card
Don’t pay twice, get an ORCA card
If you pay cash to ride a Metro bus and plan to transfer, your paper transfer is not accepted on Sound Transit services or the Sounder Train and you need to pay separately for that portion of your trip. With an ORCA card you only pay the difference between your two fares when you transfer within two hours.
Get your ORCA card today!
You can purchase an ORCA card in one of the following ways, be sure to check the links for up-to-date hours of operation:
- Discover reduced fare programs at Metro's Which ORCA fare page
- Online at Metro's ORCA card website
- ORCA vending machine locations
- ORCA retail locations
- Metro Pass Sales Office
- Attend a virtual ORCA customer service event with Neighborhood Pop-Up
Other travel options
Rideshare
- Log onto RideshareOnline.com to find a vanpool or carpool match for your commute. Almost 700 vanpools commute to or from north King County.
- Quickly search for a vanpool going your way and see how vanpool groups are working together to keep everyone safe and healthy in response to COVID!
- Find other commuters with a similar route to start your own vanpool group. An affordable monthly fare covers all you need – van, gas, insurance, maintenance, emergency ride homes and toll-FREE I-405 Express, Tacoma Narrows Bridge, SR 167 & SR 520 travel!
- Visit us at kingcounty.gov/metrovans to find out more, including how flexible a vanpool can be.
- Ride in a vanpool for FREE, try it out and receive up to three rides with Ticket-2-Ride.
Link light rail
Learn more about Link light rail and the new service to Northgate Station, Roosevelt Station and U District Station on Sound Transit’s website.
Health and safety guidance
Here’s how to safely and efficiently use Metro:
Wear a mask
Stay home when sick
Sign up for Transit Alerts
Pay with your ORCA card
Always wearing a mask and following other health and safety guidance will keep all of us moving forward together.
Frequently asked questions
Metro is responding to changing travel needs in north King County and integrating bus service with Link light rail, as Sound Transit opens U District Station, Roosevelt Station, and Northgate Station. The October 2021 service change goals are to improve travel for priority populations; equitably inform, engage, and empower current and potential customers traveling in the project area; and deliver improved service that responds to Link light rail expansion and meets customer needs
Read the north King County (North Link) Public Engagement report.
Metro focused on increasing all-day connections to the three new Link light rail stations in the U District, Roosevelt, and Northgate. There are also bus stop and sign improvements around the stations that will make transferring between the two services easier for riders. Information on how to use the stations and transfer will be made available as we get closer to service change on Oct 2.
Information about specific bus stops and schedules will be provided on the Metro service change page in September as it gets closer to the October 2, 2021 service change date. When Metro announces the schedules are available, riders can also find this information by using the Metro Trip Planner. When using the Trip Planner, make sure to enter a date on or after the service change, October 2, 2021.
ORCA cards give you credit for the transit fare you have already paid when you transfer to another route or service within 2 hours. If you pay cash while riding a bus and transfer to the Link light rail you would have to pay full price for your second ride.
ORCA cards can be purchased and reloaded online, by phone, at ticket vending machines and at select retail outlets. Find out more at orcacard.com.
For reduced fare programs, call or visit Metro’s Which ORCA fare page.
New routes 16X, 302, 320, and 322 and revised routes 64, and 303 provide peak connections to South Lake Union and First Hill. Routes 5, 15X, 17X, 18X, 28X, 40, 49, 62, 70, D Line, and E Line still provide connections to downtown Seattle as well.
Link light rail will connect riders directly from north Seattle to SeaTac airport.