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1. johnnyblegs
   Member Profile

   

   I just started a new job in belltown and I need to be there at 4am. Parking would cost me about $50 a week. Googled around to see how I'd get there via Metro and the night owl service doesn't get me anywhere close to 4. Any ideas out there? How does Metro ride share work?

   Posted 1 year ago #         

2. JanS
   Member Profile

   

   I'm so sorry for you...4am? seriously? ewww...

   Posted 1 year ago #         

3. miws
   Member Profile

   

   johnny, I've never used Rideshare, but here's the Linky Thingy from Metro's site:

   http://metro.kingcounty.gov/tops/van-car/van-car.html

   Good luck in both the new job, and getting there!

   Mike

   Posted 1 year ago #         

4. metrognome
   Member Profile

   JB--you don't mention where you live in WS; Route 85 will get you to 4th/Union at 3:25am (http://metro.kingcounty.gov/tops/bus/schedules/s085_0_.html; it actually runs daily even tho it says 'weekday') The route map is pretty confusing; I would call RiderInfo (553-3000) to confirm details such as what side of the street to wait on. BTW, a monthly 1zone, off-peak pass will cost you $81.
   For RideShare, your best bet is carpooling; go to http://www.rideshareonline.com/Commuters/carpool.html to sign up. If there aren't matches right away, you will get updates when/if new possibles show up. You and the driver(s) (or you as the driver and your psgrs(s)) work out the shared cost.
   Good luck!

   Posted 1 year ago #         

5. celeste17
   Member Profile

   

   Johnny if you can get to the junction (California and Alaska) I beleive the 54b runs all night long. I know the 21 on 35th runsd pretty regularly and I am not sure about the 56. All those buses go downtown. The 56 (unless it is an express) and the 21 go up first avenue. The 54 goes the viaduct and gets off at Spring and then turns onto 3rd Ave and goes down 3rd Ave. If none of those work let me know and I will see what else I can get for you.

   I doubt a rideshare will work for you at 4 am to Belltown. Most of the rideshares at the morning are probably going to Everett, Renton or Bellevue.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

6. Mnoperiod
   Member Profile

   Johnny, metrognome is right. I use the 85 to get to work every Saturday and would be lost with out it. The map is a bit confusing but I can help. The early trip makes a counterclockwise trip around W Seattle. The second trip goes clockwise. So if you are taking the second bus, you need to wait on the east or north side of whatever street you are waiting for the bus on (if you are getting on after the bus leaves White Center)

   Posted 1 year ago #         

7. Rod Clark
   Member Profile

   

   You could look into monthly parking at the Seattle Center lot at 1st and John, about 10 blocks from the middle of Belltown. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for $100 a month. When I worked downtown, I used to figure walking distances at a block a minute - that's 3.75 mph. Ten blocks equals ten minutes.

   http://seattlecenter.com/transportation/parking.asp

   Posted 1 year ago #         

8. johnnyblegs
   Member Profile

   

   Thank you all for your input! I live very close to the Alaska Junction & could just as easily walk to 35th & Avalon to catch a ride. Heck, I'd walk to either extreme of California if it means a bus ride that gets me to work on time.

   Mike - Thanks. If you're ever in the Belltown area come check it out. Local 360 is located in the old Flying Fish space on the corner of 1st & Bell.

   JanS - exactly. It's been a little tough getting up the last couple mornings. Upside is there's NO traffic.

   metrognome - Thank you so much for that link! I did see the Night Owl 85 schedule and you're right. It is very confusing to decipher. I'll call Metro to confirm. If the 85 works out it will be a HUGE money load off my back.

   celeste17 - I checked all those schedules and it looks like the earliest any of them could get me downtown is 5:30 which, compared to 4, sounds really nice right about now.

   Rod - I just can't afford to pay ANYTHING 5 days a week. I'd park anywhere free, but the closest free parking downtown is lower Queen Anne. A little long @ 4am. May have to carry pepper spray with me as well.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

9. johnnyblegs
   Member Profile

   

   Arrrgh!!! After talking with Metro they confirmed that the earliest bus that goes through the Junction is the 85 @ 4:18. The other earlier 85 goes through 15th & SW Henderson and doesn't get anywhere near the Junction.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

10. metrognome
    Member Profile

    JB -- that's why I suggested you call Metro; that map is confusing as heck. However, that first trip that gets downtown at 3:25 am does go to California & Morgan, which is a mile from the Junction, at 2:48 am. You could walk or drive there and park (should be plenty of street pkng at 3 am). You can take the 54 to get back to the Junction or your car when you get off work (it turns onto 3rd from Wall, so it is pretty close to Belltown.)
    Not a pretty commute... You may still want to sign up for carpooling -- there have to be people solo driving at that time of the morning who wouldn't mind a psgr and a little $$. Check the link in my first post or call Rideshare at 625-4500.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

11. johnnyblegs
    Member Profile

    

    Metrognome - Thanks for this info. You're a big help. I'll call back and double check this info with an operator but this sounds great. Not ideal but better. I told the lady I lived near the Alaska Junction and asked for ANY bus that i could walk to to somehow catch the earlier 85. Delridge? no. Admiral? no. She directed me to 15th & SW Henderson. Quite a walk from the Junction! Why didn't she mention Cali & Morgan?? Way better. Thanks again :)

    PS - I found FREE parking the other morning on 4th Ave W & Roy, on lower QA, and hoofed it a good 25 minute walk through sketchy streets. Avoided cutting through the Center all together. You never know where the unsavory people are hiding out in there.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

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