Dept. of Transportation
Metro Transit Division

King Street Center
201 S Jackson St
Seattle, WA 98104
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Suggested changes

Routes that would receive added service: 212, 233, 245, 249, 255, 271

Routes that would be revised: 221, 222, 230, 233, 240, 246, 249, 250, 253, 261, 265, 266, 272, 926

Suggested new route: 275

Routes suggested for deletion: 225, 229, 247, 250, 253, 256, 261, 266, 272, 926

All-day routes One-way peak routes
221, 222, 230, 233, 240, 245, 246, 248, 249, 253, 271, 926 225, 229, 247, 250, 256, 261, 265, 266, 272

Detailed descriptions of suggested route changes:

  • Route 221

    This two-way, all-day local route connects Redmond’s Education Hill and the Eastgate Park-and-Ride via the Redmond Transit Center, the Overlake Transit Center, and Bellevue College (see current routing).

    Suggested changes

    • Revise to serve new 161st Avenue NE, Leary Way, West Lake Sammamish Parkway NE, and NE 51st Street between the Redmond Transit Center and Overlake instead of Old Redmond Road and 148th Avenue NE between NE 40th Street and NE 70th Street.
    • Revise to use the new NE 36th Street/NE 31st Street bridge over State Route 520 in Overlake.

    Why these changes are being considered

    • Provide better transit service to Leary Way and Redmond Town Center, where denser mixed-use development has been built, and attract more riders.
    • Provide Education Hill riders with better connections to shopping areas.
    • Avoid traffic congestion on NE 40th Street.
    • Provide an additional east-west connection through Overlake.
    • Reduce duplication with the B Line and Route 245 on 148th Avenue NE between NE 51st Street and NE 70th street.

    Tradeoffs

    • Riders now served along Old Redmond Road between 148th Avenue NE and 154th Avenue NE could walk to 148th Avenue NE for frequent service on the RapidRide B Line, or to West Lake Sammamish Parkway NE to take routes 542 and/or 545.
    • Education Hill riders would have better connections to shopping areas.

    Introduction | Maps


  • Route 222

    This two-way, all-day local route connects the Eastgate Park-and-Ride and the Bellevue Transit Center via Newport Way, Factoria, South Bellevue, Beaux Arts, and Enatai (see current routing).

    Suggested change

    • Shift Route 222 to a faster path between Factoria and Bellevue Transit Center via the South Bellevue Park-and-Ride and 108th Avenue SE. This path is used by the current Route 240.

    Why this change is being considered

    • The current path has two loops and is slower.
    • Improve the speed of connection between the Bellevue Transit Center and Eastgate via South Bellevue, Factoria, and Newport Way.

    Tradeoffs

    • Riders who currently use Route 222 on 104th Avenue SE and 108th Avenue SE south of Bellevue Way SE would need to transfer, or walk to suggested revised Route 222 on Bellevue Way SE, in order to reach Factoria or Eastgate.
    • Enatai and Beaux Arts riders could use suggested revised Route 249 to reach the South Bellevue Park-and-Ride or downtown Bellevue, and would have new direct connections with Bellevue Square.
  • Routes 225 and 229

    These one-way peak commuter routes connect the Overlake Transit Center and downtown Seattle via 164th Avenue NE and 156th Avenue NE, respectively (see current routing: 225 | 229).

    Suggested change

    • Delete these routes and add replacement trips on Route 212 between the Eastgate Park-and-Ride and Downtown Seattle.

    Why this change is being considered

    • Reduce duplication with routes 221, 233, and 245, which run north-south between Eastgate and Overlake.
    • Most riders board routes 225 and 229 at Eastgate or the freeway stop, so they would not be affected by the change.
    • Route 245 serves 156th Avenue NE and 156th Avenue SE and provides 15-minute service during peak periods.
    • Route 221 serves 148th Avenue NE and 148th Avenue SE.
    • Revised Route 233 will provide alternative service in the Phantom Lake area.

    Tradeoffs

    • Riders to or from Seattle who use routes 225 or 229 north of Eastgate would have to transfer to and from other Eastgate routes (i.e., routes 221, 245, and suggested revised Route 233).
    • Service hours from the deleted routes would be used to improve intra-Eastside network.

    Introduction | Maps


  • Routes 230 and 253

    These two-way, all-day routes connect Bellevue and Redmond via Crossroads and Overlake (see current routing: 230 | 253).

    Suggested changes

    • Delete Route 253 and reinvest service hours in the B Line in fall 2011.
    • Delete the eastern part of Route 230 (between Bellevue and Redmond) and reinvest the service hours in the B Line in fall 2011.
    • Keep the western part of Route 230 (between Bellevue and Totem Lake), but move it to 116th Avenue NE between NE 10th Street and the South Kirkland Park-and-Ride to serve the hospital district with trips evenly spaced with those of Route 234 in both directions for improved service frequency.
    • Suggested Route 249 would be shifted to Bellevue Way NE.

    Why these changes are being considered

    • Provide improved RapidRide service to the best transit corridors.
    • Attract more riders by reducing wait times and travel times and improving reliability.
    • Provide improved service to shopping areas in downtown Bellevue, Crossroads, and downtown Redmond.
    • Provide frequent connections at the Redmond Transit Center, Overlake Transit Center and freeway stations, and the Bellevue Transit Center.
    • Improve service frequency between the Bellevue and Kirkland transit centers via the hospital district.

    Tradeoffs

    • Route 230 riders east of 156th Avenue NE will lose the direct connection with Overlake and Downtown Redmond and will have longer travel times to downtown Bellevue, but will have a new, all-day connection to Eastgate on suggested revised Route 233.
    • Riders now traveling between routes 253 and 230 or between the east and west segments of Route 230 at the Bellevue Transit Center will have to transfer between the B Line and the west segment of Route 230 (Totem Lake to Bellevue) or routes 234 or 249.
    • Riders now traveling east of the Redmond Transit Center on Route 253 may have to transfer to and from routes 248 or 545.
    • Riders now using Route 253 along 148th Avenue NE between NE 24th Street and NE 40th Street will have to transfer between the B Line and Route 221 or walk.
    • Riders of the B Line may have to walk further to reach service due to longer stop spacing, but will enjoy faster in-vehicle service, improved reliability, and shorter waits.
    • Riders along Bellevue Way NE would take suggested revised Route 249 instead of the west half of Route 230.

    Introduction | Maps


  • Route 233

    This local route provides two-way, all-day service connecting the Bellevue Transit Center and the Bear Creek Park-and-Ride via Overlake (see current routing).

    Suggested changes

    • Extend Route 233 to the Eastgate Park-and-Ride via the 164th Avenue NE-164th Avenue SE corridor.
    • Delete the part of Route 233 that runs between Overlake and the Bear Creek Park-and-Ride.
    • Delete Route 926 and reinvest the hours in the revised Route 233.

    Why these changes are being considered

    • Maintain full-time local service to east Bellevue.
    • Continue to serve Interlake High School and the Crossroads shopping area.
    • Provide direct connections between east Bellevue and Eastgate, Crossroads, the B Line, Overlake Hospital, and downtown Bellevue.
    • Provide a consistent service pattern to southeast Bellevue and the Advanta Office Commons employment site.
    • Provide evening and weekend service to the Phantom Lake area.

    Tradeoffs

    • Riders now traveling between Bear Creek Park-and-Ride and Overlake will have to take routes 268, 269, or 545. During peak periods, Route 269 will continue to connect the Bear Creek Park-and-Ride with the Microsoft campus via Microsoft Way.
    • Riders along Routes 233 and 926 will have longer evening service and Sunday service.

    Introduction | Maps


  • Route 240

    This two-way, all-day local route connects the Renton Transit Center and Clyde Hill via Renton Highlands, Newcastle, Factoria, South Bellevue, 108th Avenue SE, and the Bellevue Transit Center (see current routing).

    Suggested changes

    • Shift Route 240 to serve the Eastgate Park-and-Ride via Richards Road, 112th Avenue SE, and SE 36th Street.
    • End Route 240 at the Bellevue Transit Center and serve Clyde Hill with suggested revised Route 246.

    Why these changes are being considered

    • Attract more riders through improved connections and reduced wait times.
    • Provide two-way, all-day service to 112th Avenue SE, which has significant mixed-use density (offices, housing, courthouse, and hotels) and all-day demand for transit service.
    • Provide transit service to the multifamily housing on Richards Road.
    • Provide direct, all-day connection between Renton and Bellevue College via Eastgate.
    • Provide a connection between Route 240 and Eastgate routes that serve Issaquah, Overlake, and Crossroads.

    Tradeoffs

    • Riders south of Factoria (e.g., Newcastle and Renton Highlands) would have longer trips to and from Bellevue but would have much better connections with Eastgate, Bellevue College, Issaquah, Overlake, and Crossroads. Connections between Eastgate and Seattle are provided by routes 212, 215, 216, 218, and 554.
    • Riders along 112th Avenue SE, Richards Road, and SE 26th Street would have better service.
    • Bellevue High School would be served via the potential revised Route 222 on 108th Avenue SE and Route 550 and the potential revised Route 249 on Bellevue Way SE.
    • Riders between Clyde Hill and the Bellevue Transit Center would be served by suggested revised Route 246 instead of Route 240, and would have shorter hours of service.

    Introduction | Maps


  • Route 246

    This two-way, all-day local route connects Factoria and the Bellevue Transit Center via Somerset, Eastgate, and Woodridge (see current routing).

    Suggested changes

    • Extend Route 246 to Clyde Hill from the Bellevue Transit Center.
    • Delete the part of Route 246 that runs between Eastgate and Richards Road via SE 26th Street. This area would be served by the potential revised Route 240.

    Why these changes are being considered

    • Connect Eastgate and Clyde Hill via Somerset, Factoria, Richards Road, Woodridge, 112th Avenue SE, and the Bellevue Transit Center.
    • Complement the suggested revised Route 240 to serve 112th Avenue SE and Eastgate, ending at the Bellevue Transit Center.
    • Provide Somerset riders with a more direct connection with downtown Bellevue.

    Tradeoffs

    • Riders along current Route 240 between Clyde Hill and the Bellevue Transit Center would have shorter hours of service, which would be partly balanced by having more service on the nearby Route 271.
    • Route 246 riders between Factoria and downtown Bellevue would have a faster trip.
    • Riders between Woodridge and Eastgate would have to transfer to or from routes 240 or 271.
    • Riders along 116th Avenue NE would be served by Route 271, which has more frequent service.

    Introduction | Maps


  • Route 247

    This one-way peak commuter route connects the Overlake Transit Center and Kent Boeing via Renton, the Overlake and Eastgate park-and-rides, I-405, and Renton (see current routing). It provides five weekday trips—three southbound in the morning and two northbound in the afternoon/evening.

    Suggested changes

    • Delete this route and use the resources to improve the Eastside network.
    • Provide vanpool information to Kent Boeing commuters and information about routes 153, 342, 560, and 566 to Renton commuters.

    Why these changes are being considered

    • Reduce duplication with routes 221, 233, and 245 operating north-south between Eastgate and Overlake.
    • Attract more riders and improve the transit network by reusing resources.

    Tradeoffs

    • Riders to or from Renton and the Kent Boeing plant would have to transfer.
    • The service hours saved would be used to improve the Eastside network.

    Introduction | Maps


  • Route 249

    This two-way all-day local route connects the Bellevue and Overlake transit centers via 116th Avenue NE, NE 20th Street, the Overlake Park-and-Ride, NE 24th Street, and NE 40th Street (see current routing).

    Suggested changes

    • Serve the South Kirkland Park-and-Ride with all trips.
    • Serve Bellevue Way NE between south Kirkland and the Bellevue Transit Center instead of 116th Avenue NE, with suggested revised Route 230 shifted to 116th Avenue NE.
    • Extend Route 249 to the South Bellevue Park-and-Ride via Main Street, Enatai, and Beaux Arts.
    • Improve midday trip frequency to 30 minutes.
    • Add Sunday service and extend service later into the evening.

    Why these changes are being considered

    • Provide full-time local route service levels to east Bellevue.
    • Continue to serve Interlake High School on NE 24th Street.
    • Provide full-time direct connections with South Kirkland routes 230, 234, 255, and 540.
    • Provide connections with routes 268, 542, 545, and the B Line at Overlake.
    • Provide service to downtown Bellevue and Bellevue Way NE and connections with many Bellevue Transit Center routes.
    • Provide service to Enatai and Beaux Arts and complement suggested revised Route 222 and suggested revised Route 240.

    Tradeoffs

    • Route 249 riders to and from the east would have to transfer to reach the Overlake Hospital district; those traveling between the Overlake Hospital district and Downtown Bellevue would have better service on suggested revised Route 230, Route 233, and Route 234.
    • Route 249 would have longer service hours and shorter wait times.

    Introduction | Maps


  • Route 250

    This one-way peak commuter route connects the Redmond Transit Center and downtown Seattle via West Lake Sammamish Parkway NE, NE 24th Street, the Overlake Park-and-Ride, State Route 520, and Interstate 5 (see current routing). It provides 12 weekday trips, six in each direction.

    Suggested change

    • Delete Route 250 and reinvest its buses and service hours in other routes.

    Why this change is being considered

    • Ridership on this route is relatively low. It has been in decline over the past decade as Route 545 has been improved.
    • Reduce duplication between Route 250 and Route 545 between the Redmond Transit Center and downtown Seattle.
    • Reduce duplication between Route 250 and local Route 249.

    Tradeoffs

    • Riders of current Route 250 would have to use Route 545 or transfer between Route 249 and routes 268, 542, 545, or suggested new Route 275.
    • More riders would be attracted to improved service on the Eastside network.

    Introduction | Maps


  • Route 256

    This one-way, peak-only service connects downtown Seattle and the Overlake Transit Center via the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, Interstate 5, State Route 520, South Kirkland Park-and-Ride, the Bel-Red area, and 156th Avenue NE (see current routing). Between the International District Station and South Kirkland Park-and-Ride, it has the same route as Route 255. Route 256 serves the reverse peak direction, eastbound in the morning and westbound in the afternoon.

    Suggested change

    • Delete this route and use its resources to add more trips on Route 255 between the International District Station and the Totem Lake Transit Center on the Evergreen Hospital campus.

    Why this change is being considered

    • Reduce duplication with routes 233, 249, 255, and 545.
    • Attract more ridership and improve transit mobility by using the hours on Route 255.
    • Improve service frequency in the reverse peak direction to downtown Kirkland, Juanita, and Totem Lake. These areas have growing employment and housing and are denser than the Bel-Red area served by Route 256.

    Tradeoffs

    • Route 256 riders connecting to Bel-Red employment would have to transfer between routes 255 or 550 and routes 233 or 249.
    • Route 256 riders traveling to Overlake from Downtown Seattle could take Route 545.
    • More riders would be attracted to improved service on Eastside and suggested revised Route 255.

    Introduction | Maps


  • Route 261

    This one-way, peak commuter route connects the Overlake Park-and-Ride with downtown Seattle via 156th Avenue NE, NE 8th Street, the Bellevue Transit Center, northeast Bellevue, Medina, SR-520, and I-5 (see current routing). Between the Overlake Park-and-Ride and Bellevue Transit Center, it is almost entirely a duplication of the B Line. Between the Bellevue Transit Center and State Route 520, it duplicates the Route 271. It provides 10 weekday trips, five in each direction.

    Suggested change

    • Delete Route 261 and reinvest the service hours to improve the Eastside network.

    Why this change is being considered

    • Reduce duplication with the B Line and routes 271 and 550. In peak periods, all three routes arrive at least every 10 minutes.
    • Attract more riders and improve transit mobility by reusing resources.

    Tradeoffs

    • Route 261 riders would have to transfer between the B Line and Regional Express Route 550 at Bellevue Transit Center or between Route 271 and one of many Downtown Seattle routes at the Evergreen Point or Montlake freeway stations.
    • More riders would be attracted by the improved Eastside network.

    Introduction | Maps


  • Route 265

    This one-way peak commuter route connects the Redmond Transit Center and downtown Seattle via Old Redmond Road, NE 70th Street, the Houghton Park-and-Ride, Interstate 405, State Route 520, and Interstate 5 (see current routing). In fall 2010 it was extended to the First Hill employment center in Seattle and three trips from and to Houghton Park-and-Ride were added. The route now provides 12 weekday trips, six in each direction.

    Suggested change

    • Shorten this route to operate only between Houghton Park-and-Ride and First Hill via downtown Seattle (i.e., delete the part that is east of Houghton Park-and-Ride) and reinvest its resources in the intra-Eastside network.

    Why this change is being considered

    • Reduce duplication with Route 245 along NE 70th Street, and routes 542 and 545 in downtown Redmond.
    • Route 265 ridership is relatively low and has been in decline over the last decade. Adding service to First Hill may improve its productivity.
    • The six added trips would provide another alternative for crossing Lake Washington once tolling begins on State Route 520 in spring 2011.

    Tradeoffs

    • Riders using Route 265 between downtown Redmond and Houghton may use routes 542 or 545 or transfer between routes 245 and 265 at the Houghton Park-and-Ride.
    • More riders would be attracted to improved service on the Eastside network.

    Introduction | Maps


  • Route 266

    This is a peak commuter route connecting the Redmond Transit Center and downtown Seattle via 148th Avenue NE, State Route 520, and Interstate 5 (see current routing). Between the Redmond Transit Center and NE 40th Street, it duplicates the B Line almost exactly. It provides 10 weekday trips, five in each direction.

    Suggested change

    • Delete this route and reinvest the resources in the intra-Eastside network.

    Why this change is being considered

    • Reduce duplication with the B Line and routes 268, 542, and 545.

    Tradeoffs

    • Suggested revised Route 221 would serve 148th Avenue NE between NE 36th Street and 148th interchange.
    • Route 266 riders would need to transfer between the B Line and routes 268, 542, 545, or suggested new Route 275.
    • More riders would be attracted to improved service on the Eastside network.

    Introduction | Maps


  • Route 272

    This a one-way peak commuter route connects the Eastgate area and the University of Washington (in Seattle) via NE 8th Street (see current routing). It provides 13 weekday trips, seven westbound trips in the morning and six eastbound trips in the afternoon.

    Suggested change

    • Delete this route and reinvest the resources in the Eastside network.

    Why this change is being considered

    • Reduce duplication with frequent and local routes operating north-south between Eastgate and Overlake and with the B Line on NE 8th Street.
    • Transfers between the B Line and routes 271 or 556 would have frequent services on both legs.
    • suggested new Route 275 would provide another transfer opportunity with the B Line and routes 233 and 249, serving the University District westbound in the morning and eastbound in the afternoon.
    • Reduce duplication with Route 271 between Eastgate Park-and-Ride and the University District.
    • Most Route 272 trips have relatively small passenger loads.

    Tradeoffs

    • Riders traveling between East Bellevue or NE 8th Street and the University District would need to transfer to/from routes 271 or 556 at the Eastgate Park-and-Ride or the Bellevue Transit Center.
    • Improved service on the Eastside network.

    Introduction | Maps


  • New Route 275

    This new two-way peak-only route would connect the Overlake Park-and-Ride on 152nd Avenue NE with downtown Seattle via State Route 520, Interstate 5, and South Lake Union, serving the University District eastbound in the morning and westbound in the afternoon (see suggested routing on Maps page). It would provide trips every 10-15 minutes. It would serve employment centers at Overlake, the University District, and South Lake Union, as well as key transfer points at the Overlake Park-and-Ride (connecting to the B Line and routes 233 and 249), Evergreen Point (connecting to routes 252, 255, 257, 260, 265, 268, 271, 311, Sound Transit routes 545, 555, and 556), and downtown Seattle (connecting to routes 8, 70, and many others).

    Objectives and rationales

    • This new route with short wait times would reduce the impact of deleting routes 250, 266, and 272.
    • Short wait times would facilitate transfers at Evergreen Point and Montlake for riders going to varied destinations.
    • Serve several growing employment markets with a single route and attract more riders than on existing specialized routes that have longer wait times and less-efficient designs.
    • Fulfill our partnership obligation to the federal government to provide the same number of peak period trips as tolling begins on SR-520.
    • The Overlake Park-and-Ride has available parking capacity and will provide connections with the B Line and routes 233 and 249.

    Tradeoffs

    • Riders of routes 250, 266, and 272 may have to transfer.
    • Provides the same number of peak-period trips on SR-520 with fewer hours and buses, allowing Metro to improve other routes.
    • Provides short wait times and service to the growing South Lake Union employment center as well as the University District in the peak direction (westbound in the morning and eastbound in the afternoon).
    • Improves service reliability by using the I-5 reversible lanes rather than general-purpose lanes.

    Introduction | Maps


  • Route 926

    This is a local Dial-A-Ride-Transit (DART) route that provides two-way, all-day weekday service connecting the Eastgate Park-and-Ride and Crossroads Mall via Phantom Lake on 168th Avenue SE and 164th Avenue SE (see current routing).

    Suggested change

    Why this change is being considered

    • Maintain full-time local route service levels to east Bellevue.
    • Provide direct connections between east Bellevue and Eastgate, Crossroads, the B Line, Overlake Hospital, and downtown Bellevue.
    • Maintain and improve transit service to the Crossroads shopping area.
    • Provide evening and weekend service to the Phantom Lake area.

    Tradeoffs

    • Riders along the current Route 926 will have longer evening service and weekend service on suggested revised Route 233.
    • Riders who use Route 926 along SE 22nd and 24th streets between 148th Avenue SE and 161st Avenue SE will have a longer walk to the bus, but will have frequent service available on 148th Avenue SE and local service on 161st Avenue SE.

    Introduction | Maps


Related pages

Staying the same

No routing changes are being suggested for the following routes:

Metro: 212, 232, 245, 248, 251, 268, 269, 271
Sound Transit: 542, 545, 550, 555/556, 560, 566

Updated: October 18, 2010