New West Seattle bus route? Your chance to have a say

(click to see full-size potential route map on Metro website)
Thanks to Michael Taylor-Judd for first calling our attention to this: He wrote, “… did you know Metro may propose a new Route 50 which would provide a new, direct connection between Seward Park and the Columbia City Link station, Beacon Hill, SoDo, Harbor Island, and Alaska Junction? In particular, it would run along Spokane St. to Delridge and then make a right turn up Genesee to Avalon and the Junction, providing a new link for folks in Youngstown and Pigeon Point to get up the hill to the Junction!” And indeed, the map you see above (which links here) is somewhat buried in the Metro website, where it’s categorized as a “Southeast Seattle” proposed service change. Nonetheless, wherever you live, you have a chance RIGHT NOW to comment on whether you’d be interested in this — and this page has all the details on how to do that, starting with a community meeting tonight in Columbia City, but also including e-mail, phone, and postal-mail options, or this online questionnaire.

Jeffro October 16, 2008 (12:54 pm)

I think that having local buses that connect to other nearby neighborhoods is a great idea, but why does every bus that goes across the bridge have to go to downtown? Georgetown is right next to us and yet there is no way over there by bus, and to connect to a Georgetown bus means walking a few blocks on neglected sidewalks across train tracks.

That said, I think a bus that connects West Seattle to the new light rail would be a win, but why go up to Atlantic when it could just shoot down Lander? Going anywhere near the stadiums during gametime is absolutely dreadful unless you’re actually going to a game.

Mickymse October 16, 2008 (1:02 pm)

Well, SoDo is NOT Downtown, but maybe you’re talking about other routes. Unfortunately, Metro tends to operate as more of a hub-and-spoke system, especially because of its commuter-focused nature.

As for why it goes up to Atlantic and not Lander, my initial guess is that has to do with avoiding train track crossings…

Dave Anderson October 16, 2008 (1:34 pm)

Since I live right off of Delridge and spend a lot of time down at the Junction, I would LOVE to be able to ride a bus from Delridge directly to Alaska/California and back. This route looks almost perfect for me, though I’ll still have to grab the 120 north to get to Genesee.

Lisa K. October 16, 2008 (2:45 pm)

I, too, am a Delridge corridor resident, and I would be thrilled to be able to easily access the shopping areas of Alaska/California from Delridge via public transportation. This transfer looks easier than waiting for the routes which go under the bridge and up Admiral (to get to some spots in W. Seattle, I currently would have to use 3 different routes—which seems silly).

That said, I’d once heard that the reason there wasn’t a bus connecting Delridge to the Junction area was that the Genessee hill was too steep. What kinds of buses are planned for use? I’d love to see a day when some sort of shuttle similar to those used for the Water Taxi looped through Delridge and California. I’d be so much more likely to ride the bus than take a car everywhere that seems so close by, but currently isn’t easily accessed by public transport.

Phrin Prickett October 18, 2008 (10:58 am)

I would be soooo happy to have a route from Delredge to the junction. I’ve wanted this route about 200 times in the 20 years I’ve lived here on 26th AVe SW.

Lizabeth Lyles October 18, 2008 (10:00 pm)

I agree, any improved bus service in the Delridge valley area would be a big plus. I live off of Delridge, & at night they run only 1 per hour, with far more bus lines servicing the Junction. Whenever I drop my car off at mechanics or for any reason am car-less I walk home from up there, which is fine in nice weather but if rain or groceries can present a big hassle. I moved here from SF where buses ran in every direction every 10 mins, so it was easy to take them. These in Seattle require to much premeditation and careful planning for anything except routine routes during daylight hours to downtown.

dawsonct October 22, 2008 (12:26 pm)

About damn time. Metro has always seemed ignorant of the need for E./W. routes and area shuttles throughout the city. I know I am not the only person w/friends and destinations scattered around the city. I can get to Lake City from W.S. faster than I can get across the valley to Columbia City or Skyway. Georgetown or South Park are incredibly difficult and time-consuming to access. The fact neighborhoods located next to each other throughout the city, unless on a N./S. axis, are unconennected by frequent transit is simply ridiculous. Get people out of their cars Metro, increase inter-neighborhood connectivity!

Bruce November 8, 2008 (11:57 pm)

It looks like it goes up and down Genesee between Avalon and Delridge, if memory serves that is a very steep hill and wouldn’t seem suitable for a bus route. Maybe it could go by AllStar Fitness and aleviate the parking problem there?
Could it add the Admiral Junction to the route? Could it link West Seattle directly to the SODO Light Rail Station and eliminate the segment on First Avenue, which is already covered by 21, 22, 57 and non-express 56? Could it eliminate the segment between the SODO Light Rail Station and the Columbia City Light Rail Station, which appears to unnecessarily duplicate the Light Rail route?
With the upcoming Light Rail and the need to save money, maybe Metro could look at redesigning many/most of its urban routes around the nearest light rail station and not duplicate the light rail route?

Sorry, comment time is over.