TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: What’s in view for Monday

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Welcome to a brand-new week. The traffic watch is on. And so is the look ahead:

OVERNIGHT HIGHWAY 99 CLOSURE: If it’s not canceled for weather or another reason, work is scheduled overnight tonight on southbound 99, closing that side of the highway between our bridge and the stadium zone, 10 pm-5 am.

METRO REMINDER: The September service change took effect on Saturday. No West Seattle routes were among the cuts/reductions, but if you transfer to/from other routes, you might want to doublecheck the list.

TRANSPORTATION NEWS: The West Seattle Transportation Coalition is starting its second year with a list of 5 priorities it believes the city could and should address ASAP … ICYMI over the weekend – dog rescued on the bridge!

7:52 AM: Thanks to everyone in comments (also Lise and Maggie via Twitter) for word of the broken-down RapidRide bus on the eastbound bridge. Maggie also points out that WS buses have extra passengers this morning because the Vashon Water Taxi is out of service (mechanical trouble with Melissa Ann).

8:00 AM: SDOT says the stalled bus is cleared now (but as always, residual backups will take a while to clear).

timh2o September 29, 2014 (7:29 am)

On C line stuck eastbound outside lane near top. I can see us on the traffic cam snapshot.

Bus rider September 29, 2014 (7:31 am)

I’m on the C/D rapid ride and we are stuck on the WS bridge. The bus just died. Waiting for another bus and supervisor or police to help us transcript.

This is also happened last week, but it was on Avalon so we were able to load onto other buses. Watch out everyone!

Ericak September 29, 2014 (7:37 am)

Disabled rapid ride bus almost at top if east bound west seattle bridge. Blocking 99 lane.

stb September 29, 2014 (7:43 am)

Broken Rapid Ride bus in right lane near crest of bridge eastbound. A full bus.

Bus rider September 29, 2014 (7:44 am)

I’m on the C/D rapid ride and we are stuck on the WS bridge. The bus just died. Waiting for another bus and supervisor or police to help us transcript.

This is also happened last week, but it was on Avalon so we were able to load onto other buses. Watch out everyone!

The other buses arrived

Joe Szilagyi September 29, 2014 (8:26 am)

Still a mess. Took our bus 20 minutes to get from 35th to bridge entrance.

Robert September 29, 2014 (9:15 am)

The bus eventually drove off under its own power. Mechanic in the wrecker must have figured something out.

WSB September 29, 2014 (9:25 am)

Thanks, Robert. I was wondering about that; seemed a bit too fast of a resolution to have been a towaway.

Diane September 29, 2014 (1:14 pm)

this is exactly what happened to me 2 weeks ago on Rapid Ride; we were heading east; there were repeated beeps, and then loud beeeeeeeep, and the bus just died, in far right lane, on ramp to enter the 99; all the riders were stuck; it was hot and heavy fumes inside the bus, we opened all possible windows; I asked driver to open doors for air; he only opened front door
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we were trapped on this broken down eastbound Rapid Ride for an hour; I wonder if it’s the same bus, or if RR buses are already having significant mechanical issues causing them to break down often; it was late afternoon, very hot; driver would not allow us to get off and board several buses that stopped to help and offer us a ride; at least it was not a standing-room-only; we just had to sit on this hot stinky bus and wait for “the supervisor” to come from Pioneer Square/SODO with a bus and police officer
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the driver only seemed to be concerned about Metro protocol (to protect his job?); zero concern for safety/health of riders who might get over-heated, or impacted by fumes
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the guy sitting across from me said he commutes twice a day from SODO (VP of some high-tech company) and has experienced broken down buses 4-5 times; it was a first for me, so I wasn’t sure of the rules or what actions a rider can take
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I called the wsblog phone, no help; I don’t have texting, so couldn’t contact TR; the wifi on the bus also died, so couldn’t use email or twitter or fb; next time I’ll call 911 right away to ask for police to assist; sure hope this is not the “new” trend with RR

Diane September 29, 2014 (1:27 pm)

anyone know the lifespan of these million dollar RR buses? are they already dying?
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I just looked up on my calendars; 2 years ago today was the first public run of Rapid Ride C; it was a Saturday and I rode it up to Ballard to check it out
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so on it’s 2yr anniversary, we’re hearing multiple reports that they randomly just die/stop running; not good

miws September 29, 2014 (3:32 pm)

Diane, a couple points: regarding the Driver seemingly “Going by the Book”; something I found out relatively recently, is that new Drivers are on a one year Probationary Period. where the Driver must go totally by the Book. I don’t recall if it was mentioned what the punishment would be, whether it would be Termination, or a Write-Up, and I suppose it may even be determined by the “Violation”. Apparently, Drivers that are out of their Probationary, can use a little more discretion.

Also, in general, Transit Coaches are said to have a “Useful Life” of 12 years, but I have seen where Metro often runs them for maybe 15, or 16, or so.

Mike