FOLLOWUP: Here’s the plan for adding to Metro late-night bus service

Last October, we reported on a survey asking your opinion on proposed additions to late-night Metro bus service in Seattle. Today, the plan was officially announced, and the West Seattle components are the same ones in the draft plan from last fall:

*Additional late-night service at about 2 a.m. on Route 120 serving Delridge, White Center and Burien

*Hourly all-night service on the RapidRide C, D, and E Lines, which currently operate all night but with less than hourly frequencies

The full list of additions to late-night bus service in Seattle would cost about $730,000, with two-thirds coming from the city via the voter-approved Transportation Benefit District. If the County Council gives its final approval, the changes would take effect in September.

Rob B February 14, 2017 (5:00 pm)

Any word on expanded service on the 56 or 57 from admiral? It’s a great route but only serviced by commuter hours today. Would be great if it expanded to even just evenings at this point

Mark February 14, 2017 (5:28 pm)

What about adding hourly mid daytime service to the 56? See prior comment

WSRedux February 14, 2017 (9:21 pm)

Re: mid-day 56…agreed, I think hourly or even every 90 minute or every 2 hour service to & from Alki/Admiral in between the normal commute service would be used. Also, I think a bus or two added to extend the afternoon commute into the early evening would have enough ridership. Right now I just use my car if I have to get from Alki into town off hours. The 50 to the junction, then a C downtown is inconvenient, and the 50 & C schedules aren’t coordinated, especially when coming from downtown to Alki/Admiral.

newnative February 15, 2017 (9:06 am)

They could pull the 55 from service as it is redundant. Fully fund the 56 7 days a week!
- West Seattle since 1979 February 15, 2017 (3:37 pm)
  
  The 55 usually is pretty crowded when I ride it. Why do you think it’s redundant–what bus would those people use instead? Unless they added enough of 56 or 57 to take up the slack? They might need to add another C for the people who use the 55 but don’t go as far as the Admiral District.
  - newnative February 15, 2017 (4:18 pm)
    
    I have been on the 55 enough times (because I missed the 56/57) to see three of them clog up California, two of them mostly empty. The route is covered by the (C)rapidride (with California covered by 128 and 50) and 56/57. Better coverage by the Rapidride and 56/57 would negate any need for the 55. It also gets stuck on the WSB during afternoon jam only to turn down 35th Ave just like the Rapidride.
    - West Seattle since 1979 February 16, 2017 (8:28 am)
      
      It always looks pretty full at 35th and Avalon at about 7:15 or so when I’m waiting there for the 21. And on the way home, when I ride it, it’s full at 35th & Avalon. However, like you said, most of the riders probably get off at or before the Junction, so added C or 50 buses would probably take up the slack. And they definitely would need to add other buses, especially C’s, if they took away the 55, because the C’s are already overcrowded. And the added C’s might end up taking all the hours that getting rid of the 55 would free up.
      
      But I agree with you–the Admiral District needs better all day service, and direct service without having to go through the Junction! I’m not sure where they’d take the hours from though–maybe there are some underperforming buses elsewhere in the system.

rob February 15, 2017 (8:33 pm)

The other side of the story is the city thinks this will cut down on drunk driving. Great idea but only one thing wrong with this idea. Would you or anyone you know want to be the bus driver at 3 in the morning with a bus load of drunks.

newnative February 16, 2017 (8:07 am)

Have you been on the bus past 8pm? It’s usually full of drunk people anyways. Later hours on the bus could help thin out the crowds.

Sorry, comment time is over.