New Route 215 began in September 2008, providing more direct peak-period service between North Bend and downtown Seattle via Snoqualmie Ridge and the new Issaquah Transit Center.
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3—New service for rapidly developing areas
- Total hours to be added through Transit Now: 50,000
- Hours added as of Sept. 2008: 12,350
The suburban areas of King County have grown rapidly in the past two decades. With funding from Transit Now, Metro is increasing service to many growing residential areas by adding peak-period service in some areas that currently have limited or no service and by adding midday service in some areas that currently have peak service only.
What’s happened so far
Metro released a report in January 2008 defining areas that are eligible to receive new transit service under Transit Now and identifying potential improvements in those areas (see Related documents at right for the report and two accompanying maps). The 12 areas named in the report are:
Related documents
- Black Diamond
- Covington
- Duvall
- Enumclaw
- Issaquah
- Kent East Hill
- Klahanie
- Lakemont (City of Bellevue)
- Maple Valley
- Redmond Ridge
- Sammamish
- Snoqualmie
During the first part of 2008, Metro conducted a public outreach process for proposed improvements in the East I-90/lower Snoqualmie Valley and Kent East Hill areas. These improvements were revised after Metro received public input, approved by the county council in May 2008, and implemented in September 2008.
Map showing improvements serving rapidly developing areas (view larger)
September 2008 improvements to rapidly developing areas
The following improvements to bus service on the Eastside were made in September 2008:
- A new Route 157 providing commuter service between Kent East Hill and downtown Seattle
- A new Route 215 providing a more direct peak-period connection between North Bend and downtown Seattle via Snoqualmie Ridge and the new Issaquah Transit Center
- Expansion of service between Carnation, Fall City, and Preston
- Addition of Saturday service on Route 915 between Auburn and Enumclaw
- Extension of all trips on Route 143 to Maple Valley and Black Diamond.
What happens next
In 2009, Metro will add more service to rapidly developing areas in south King County.
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Last update: November 13, 2008