Summary

King County Metro will provide new shuttle service for commuters in North Bend, Snoqualmie and Issaquah Highlands thanks to a community partnership. It’s an example of Executive Constantine’s effort to offer alternatives to fixed bus-route service, such as shuttles, rideshares, community vans and bicycles, to improve regional mobility.

Story

King County Metro will offer customized shuttle service to commuters in the Snoqualmie Valley and Issaquah Highlands, delivering on Executive Dow Constantine’s initiative to provide more transit options that meet the specific needs of communities.

Metro will work with other cities and community organizations to provide alternatives to fixed bus routes—including shuttles, rideshares, community vans and bicycles—to increase the number of transit options in King County.

“We’re doing more than ever to customize services to meet the specific needs of the communities we serve – and that includes transportation,” said Executive Constantine. “By working with cities in the Snoqualmie Valley and Issaquah , we will provide our customers with more transit options.”

The new shuttle service, which will begin Feb. 16, is the result of a partnership between King County, the cities of Snoqualmie, North Bend, and Snoqualmie Valley Transportation.

Through a contract with Hopelink, the Metro shuttle—which will be listed as Route 628 once it starts—will offer trips each weekday between the park-and-rides in North Bend and Issaquah Highlands. Riders in the Issaquah Highlands will be able to call ahead to schedule off-route pickups and drop-offs.

The Metropolitan King County Council included $12 million in the 2015-2016 budget to fund the alternative services program. Metro will continue to work with cities, community groups and others to assess local service needs and preferences.

The program will initially focus on communities where bus service was most significantly reduced in September due to declining revenue. Mercer Island and Burien will come next as Metro teams up with those city partners to identify and launch flexible service to better serve demand. Metro will also begin planning efforts on Vashon Island and Southeast King County.

Highlights of the new commuter shuttle

• Shuttles will operate from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Morning service will operate westbound from North Bend, Snoqualmie, Snoqualmie Ridge and Issaquah Highlands (including the flexible service area in Issaquah Highlands), and then operate as an express route on Interstate 90 from Issaquah Highlands to North Bend.
• Afternoon service will operate eastbound from Issaquah Highlands Park-and-Ride and flexible service area to Snoqualmie Ridge, Snoqualmie, North Bend, and then operate as express service on Interstate 90 from North Bend to Issaquah Highlands.
• Standard weekday peak/off-peak fares will be charged.
• The shuttle will operate every 30 minutes during peak periods. 

Relevant links

• King County Alternative Services Program
• Route 628 Service Details, Map
• INFOGRAPHIC: Why Metro Matters   Image

Quotes

We’re doing more than ever to customize services to meet the specific needs of the communities we serve – and that includes transportation. By working with cities in the Snoqualmie Valley and the Issaquah Highlands, we will provide tailor-made service that provides more transit options for our customers.

Residents in the Snoqualmie Valley rely on King County Metro to get to work and school. Having this alternative services option, and partnering with local organizations to provide the most efficient service, will be incredibly beneficial to the Valley. We hope more and more people will start using this service.

With the support of the Sound Cities Association, the King County Executive and Council moved quickly to restore most of the Metro services in North Bend and Snoqualmie that were cut this past September. The restored alternative services will be delivered in a way that uses tax dollars more effectively and efficiently. I am grateful for their creative efforts and willingness to find more cost effective solutions.

The addition of Route 628 is a milestone for Issaquah, our neighboring cities and our entire region. This vital route connects residents with the Issaquah Highlands Park & Ride, regional retail destinations and opportunities for outdoor recreation. I applaud King County Metro and our partners for working together to increase the availability of convenient transit options for our citizens.

Kudos to King County Metro for working to enhance the well-used and highly valued Issaquah Highlands Park & Ride. We often hear from our residents about how important it is in their daily lives, so we’re excited that Route 628 will provide another option for our commuters, as well as relieve some of the pressure on our transit center.

For more information, contact:

Chad Lewis, chad.lewis@kingcounty.gov, 206-263-1250