Summary

King County Metro Transit and Sound Transit are preparing for improvements to the Seattle transit network in 2016 with the launch of Link light rail service to Capitol Hill and the University of Washington.

Story

King County Metro Transit and Sound Transit are preparing for improvements to the Seattle transit network in 2016 with the launch of Link light rail service to Capitol Hill and the University of Washington.

In coming weeks, the two agencies will begin the first round of discussions with riders about current and future bus service in those areas.

“Our riders will enjoy more convenient transfers and a smoother, swifter trip when we better integrate light rail and bus service,” said Dow Constantine, King County Executive and Sound Transit Board Chair.

Under a directive from Executive Constantine earlier this year, Metro and Sound Transit are increasing planning and service integration to create a service network that is efficient, convenient and reliable for riders. The University Link light rail extension will provide a six-minute trip between the University of Washington Station at Husky Stadium and downtown Seattle with a stop at Capitol Hill Station.

Public meetings are planned in Seattle Nov. 13, 17 and 20, during which Metro and Sound Transit staff will hear how riders use today’s transit service and what connections are important for the future. Feedback received during this round of outreach will be used to shape service change concepts to be shared early next year in a second round of outreach. The public will have the opportunity to weigh in a third time in the spring on a final proposal. The King County Council and the Sound Transit Board are expected to make a decision about service changes sometime next summer.

Link Connections community conversation meeting information

• Nov. 13, 6–8 p.m., Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center, 6535 Ravenna Ave. N.E.
• Nov. 17, 6–8 p.m., Seattle First Baptist, 1111 Harvard Ave.
• Nov. 20, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., University of Washington HUB, 4001 E. Stevens Way N.E., Room 250

Metro also is recruiting 15-20 people for a Sounding Board to advise planners on transit service concepts for Link and bus service integration, as well as the public outreach process.

More information is posted online about upcoming meetings and the Sounding Board. Additional outreach is planned in coming months as transit service concepts are developed and proposed. Some changes to transit service in the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel are expected in September 2015 to make room for testing of the Link light rail service extension to the University of Washington.

Testing of the Link light rail service extension to the University of Washington begins in September 2015 and is slated to begin passenger service the first quarter of 2016. At that point, Link light rail will connect Sea-Tac Airport, Rainier Valley, downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill and the UW.