TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Frosty Tuesday

(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:50 AM: Another chilly morning – but dry, at least until tonight, according to the forecast. No problems on the routes from/through/to West Seattle so far. Reminder for bus riders: Till 8:30 this morning, Metro says, its reps are on hand near four northbound bus stops to listen to your thoughts about West Seattle service – as noted here.

ADDED 11 AM: We stopped by the northbound California/Fauntleroy station just before the mingling window ended at 8:30 am and found KCDOT’s Ashley DeForest:

She hadn’t kept count of how many people she’d spoken with but said things had been pretty busy. Also there, interviewing her: Transportation reporter Mike Lindblom from The Seattle Times (WSB news partner) –

Iggy November 27, 2012 (7:33 am)

As announced on the WSB, Metro is out at RR stops around West Seattle this morning between 6:30 and 8:30 am talking to riders. I just turned on the Channel 5 news, and they have announced it there as well. This is all well and good, but it only addresses “traditional” rush hour service. We are a 24-hour society, with many people working at “odd” hours. Seniors, students, and others also use buses to shop, doctor appointments, etc. Seems that Metro has forgotten us folk who aren’t rush hour commuters.
A side note, I was at 3rd and Seneca around 12:30 yesterday afternoon. Two 21 buses came by before a full RR C came by with the usual grumpy driver.
Also, I was reading the Metro Blog regarding West Seattle Bus Service. A couple of folks suggested that Metro consider small shuttle buses between Westwood and Admiral. Basically, extend the 22 to Admiral. The buses would run every 20 minutes or so. Sure would be helpful. I would also like to suggest a “local” (within West Seattle) bus fair. $1.25 to travel anywhere in West Seattle for the day. I will often drive from Morgan to Westwood Village or Morgan to Admiral (often both on the same day) to shop. Would definitely get me out of my car if I could just hop on buses for reasonable cost and schedule. It might take awhile for this type of service to catch on, but I think if it were often, regular, reasonably priced service, that people would get out of their cars. Bus stops would have to be the old-fashioned, every few blocks kind, of course, and not the 0.7 miles apart stops that RR has instituted.

SRO November 27, 2012 (7:38 am)

I was eager to go to the 35th and Avalon stop this morning , so I could let Metro know how I feel about the changes with RapidRide. I got there before 6:30 and waited for 15 minutes. No Metro rep was there. They apparently have no intention of improving service before 7 in the morning, and no intention of getting any feedback from anyone who rides before 7.

Twobottles November 27, 2012 (7:58 am)

The location of the reps clearly indicates the Metro has virtually abandoned North Admiral and Alki

Jeff Switzer, King County Metro November 27, 2012 (8:22 am)

SRO, sorry we missed you. :( We do want to hear from you and scheduled these times and locations to meet with as many riders as possible, (Twobottles, iggy). Our online questionnaire is still available, http://bit.ly/RdYFnW, and you can give your email so we can continue the conversation.

wsea November 27, 2012 (9:10 am)

@jeff
I’ve filled in the questionnaire. Since you are monitoring this board, can we get a couple game day 56 bus’s running. Yeah.. i know we can take the water taxi but the shuttle stops running at 8 and taking a 60 pound kid on your shoulders up California or ferry is a pain.

Twobottles November 27, 2012 (9:11 am)

To clarify, I probably should have said “Drastic service cuts, especially midday, evenings and weekends, combined with the location of the reps clearly indicates the Metro has virtually abandoned North Admiral and Alki”.

We are to West Seattle as West Seattle is to King County.

Gina November 27, 2012 (10:16 am)

Should be connections with the LINK corridor at Spokane St and West Seattle buses. Talk about a missed opportunity.

KCS November 27, 2012 (11:16 am)

How many different methods and times does Metro need to collect feedback before they understand what they already know?

AndrewN November 27, 2012 (11:17 am)

Gina, the 50 and 21 both provide a connection to Link at SODO Station.

Jeff Switzer, King County Metro November 27, 2012 (12:18 pm)

@WSEA, which team/game day? My fourth-grader weighs 60 pounds, so I know what you mean. :)

Donna November 27, 2012 (4:40 pm)

With the 56 bus no longer in service, how do you get from Alki to the Seahawks game??? Especially on a Sunday?

Bus rider November 27, 2012 (6:10 pm)

Apologies in advanced because I know I’m complaining but it feels like West Seattle is the Stockton, CA (a.k.a. the “armpit”) of the county. @ Iggy: I agree on several points. If it was in service I would use it to go shopping but who could buy anything significant and walk that far.
@Jeff who is a great guy doing a great job btw and just a messenger, I forgot to add on my survey that I would like the sign to work and maybe police enforcement on west Seattle bridge merge to 99 to enforce bus right of way. I also suggest that we city riders lobby to employers & the State to only give transit/commute trip reduction benefits only the value of 1 zone. And give the balance to the transit agency. Why should in city residents get less benefit than people that live in Tacoma. We do pay more in taxes to live here.

Curtis November 27, 2012 (9:46 pm)

Great News!!!!!!!!! According to the Seattle Times, the Rapid Ride service in West Seattle is “Speedy”! Isn’t that terrific. It’s only Ballard that is having problems with Rapid Ride………..
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019777003_ballardbus28m.html

Admiral935 November 28, 2012 (1:27 am)

I parked my car 5 years ago and switched to the bus at that time. Guess what….the car just came out of storage.
No really, I either (gladly) walk to the AJunction. Or drive. Before this I took the bus 100%. Now I do not, and will not. Saves me a ton of time you can be sure. And I don;t even like driving. Thanks!

justwow November 28, 2012 (7:40 pm)

I still see a ton of people getting on thru backdoors not paying. I see drug dealers, drunks and bums riding. I thought that they said it was going to be taken care of. They said they’d have bus marshalls riding to ensure your safety. I don’t see none of that. I see failure and unfulfilled poromises not too mention a horribly planned out system. A trained talking parrot can make better decisions than city leadership.

Sorry, comment time is over.