Sound Transit May Change Redmond Express Bus Route

REDMOND, WA – Sound Transit is proposing changes to some express bus routes that serve the area. The transit agency wants to make the changes to improve reliability, and to deal with some upcoming construction projects.

Here's a list of the proposed changes from Sound Transit. The changes would go into effect in March:

• Route 550 will move to surface streets in downtown Seattle because of the shift to rail-only operations in the Downtown Transit Tunnel. Rail-only operations in the tunnel will increase Link light rail reliability.
• Routes 545 and 555 will bypass Montlake Boulevard when the Montlake Freeway Station closes.
• Route 542 will continue to serve stops on Montlake Boulevard, and will continue to connect to routes 545 and 555 on SR 520. This route will have expanded evening and weekend service through September 2019, as part of a tri-party agreement between Sound Transit, WSDOT and Metro.
• Route 513 will extend to the new Seaway Transit Center in Everett, and will no longer serve the stop at Evergreen Way and 79th Place Southeast.
• Route 580 will have fewer trips; low-ridership trips will be discontinued and others will run only between Puyallup Station and the South Hill park-and-ride. Resources will be reinvested to improve service in Pierce County.
• Route 555 will operate only between Northgate and Bellevue, and will no longer serve the low-ridership segment between Bellevue, Eastgate and Issaquah. Resources will be reinvested into improving reliability on Route 554.

You can submit comments about the proposed changes by calling or emailing Sound Transit at 1-866-940-4387 or servicechanges@soundtransit.org. The public hearings will happen:

Thursday, Nov. 8, 1 p.m.
Union Station – Ruth Fisher Boardroom
401 S. Jackson St., Seattle

Thursday, Nov. 8, 5 – 7 p.m.
Union Station—Ruth Fisher Boardroom
401 S. Jackson St., Seattle

Image courtesy Sound Transit