TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wet Wednesday

(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:58 AM: Again today, the rain is the main challenge, with “periods of significant rain” expected, per the National Weather Service‘s flood advisory. No specific obstacles on the main routes from/to/through West Seattle, so far. Note that Seattle Public Schools are out two hours early today.

7:26 AM: Just reported, for those headed this way from points north of downtown on Highway 99, a crash in/near the SOUTHBOUND Battery Street Tunnel.

Trickycoolj October 31, 2012 (7:56 am)

E. Marginal Way and 4th Ave S traffic light is flashing 4-way stop. No significant backups but don’t be surprised at non-functioning traffic lights!

Tuesday October 31, 2012 (9:37 am)

Is there any further story with the Metro changes? It seems to have been an unequivocal failure on every level. Busses are unreliable, there’s no schedule, etc. It’s not uncommon to wait half a half hour for a bus that’s supposed to come every 10 minutes. Now that the initial outrage is over, it is just a “shut up and be happy there is a bus” situation?

Jeff October 31, 2012 (11:59 am)

I think you pretty much nailed it Tuesday. The new bus line sucks, there is no plan to make it better, but suck it up and deal because that’s all we get.

30 years of Metro later! October 31, 2012 (2:18 pm)

Thirty days of Rapid Ride, failures on all levels of service and no accountability? Really? Grace Crunican didn’t survive the snow storm, Greg Nickles wasn’t re-elected because of transportation issues but Dow Constantine doesn’t address the obvious failure!! Heads should be rolling by now and they should start with Chris Arkills.

Chummy October 31, 2012 (2:20 pm)

Any feedback as to whether the LAKE at the base of the ramp to W. Sea bridge from Delridge has abated yet? Yesterday at 4pm it was a narrow margin of making it through w/o engine issues.

Pam October 31, 2012 (2:47 pm)

I took the 12.25 c line from 2nd and Columbia and it was standing room only, which for a trip in the middle of the day is unbelievable. Plus the air vent on the ceiling of a brand new bus was leaking rain all over the poor people stood up. I mean it was drier outside than on the bus. I find this totally unacceptable.

Chris Arkills October 31, 2012 (4:15 pm)

30 years–

My email is chris.arkills@kingcounty.gov You or anyone should feel free to write me and I will call or respond by email. I ride the bus from West Seattle every day and have experienced many of the same frustrations.

No one is more concerned about the difficulties with Rapid Ride and the service change than Executive Constantine. We speak daily about these issues. Since the service change we have already added buses to Rapid Ride C, the 55, and the 120. We are working to address issues in Arbor Heights. We are working with the city to get the promised signal priority projects done to improve speed and reliability. We have dedicated staff just working on monitoring Rapid Ride C and D. This is a top priority.

Ridership is way up in West Seattle on almost every route significantly. The ongoing viaduct project has caused huge demand. And our funding resources still haven’t recovered from the recession and so we face enormous challenges.

I am genuinely sorry for the difficulties people have faced in getting to work and home to their families. I know firsthand how frustrating that can be.

I want to assure you that we are committed to getting the issues with West Seattle fixed.

iggy October 31, 2012 (4:50 pm)

Glad that Dow Constantine’s staff is monitoring our comments. As a senior, I would like to add a few more.
1. There appear to be almost all new bus drivers in West Seattle. Their primary concern seems to be keeping to their schedule, to the detriment of those who need to be able to get their seats before the bus takes off at top speed. Same goes for stopping near to the curbs and using the kneelers. This applies to the 22, 128, and 116/118 as well as to the new RR.
2. Many seniors are still confused by the location of buses at Westwood Village and even the West Seattle Junction. Also at SODO. Metro needs to do a better job letting bus drivers know where other buses stop and providing signage that directs people if a particular bus stop is “around the corner”
3. Bus drivers seem painfully ingnorant of any other buses but their own. With the re-routing of so many buses along the Admiral, West Seattle Junction, Westwood Village, and White Center corrider, I see many folks (not just seniors) asking polite questions to bus drivers about “how do I get to xxxxxx from here?” and the drivers being almost rude and saying “I don’t know,” with no inclination to help.
4. On the RR buses, if a senior is forced because of crowding to be in the back of the bus when it arrives at 2nd and Seneca, it is a nightmare to fight to the front so the kneeler can be used. The drop from the back of the bus on that steep hill is very long.
I’ve written these concerns to Metro, but it doesn’t hurt to repeat. I have had many conversations with other seniors and non-seniors who share my frustrations.

Glenn October 31, 2012 (5:25 pm)

Chris, Thanks for the thoughtful response. I know I’m not alone in saying that the service change has impacted me negatively and that as a downtown commuter I wrestle with this frustration every day.

One gap I see in your response is finding a solution to the lack of reliable information on bus arrival timing. I for one use the comment section on this blog thread to get a read on commuting problems so I can adjust which bus to take or if I should run to the water taxi. Information should be cheap. What is being done on this front?

Glenn October 31, 2012 (5:26 pm)

Smooth progress on the 56 westbound at 5:30 pm.

cleo October 31, 2012 (6:09 pm)

caught the RRC at 3rd & Pike about 4:15 today, standing room only at that point; by the time we left 1st & Columbia it was dangerously packed; driver didn’t even know that bus went to West Seattle, handicapped were forced to stand. Even if someone had offered a seat, too packed to allow access to seats

cleo October 31, 2012 (6:10 pm)

but I should have added ride in this am (@7:40 from Findlay) was fine

DA October 31, 2012 (7:11 pm)

This is a complete failure of governance in every conceivable way. While Metro is the greatest failure, there is more blame to spread around. It is time to hold your elected officials accountable.
I won’t be voting for Dow or any of the others we have entrusted ever again.

West Seattle since 1979 October 31, 2012 (11:20 pm)

Chris, thanks for responding to us. I agree with what Iggy says, especially about the kneelers. It’s hard for elderly people or anyone with knee, leg or foot problems to get off the back of buses on hills, even buses with lower floors.

Sorry, comment time is over.