BUSES: How Metro service cuts will affect riders starting Monday

If you usually ride the 37 or 125 – you have to find another way to get around starting Monday. Those are the two West Seattle routes entirely axed in Metro‘s temporary “reduced service” plan.

If you usually ride the 22, 60, 118, 119, or 128, no change – those West Seattle routes are untouched.

Everything else – as listed here – will have “fewer trips and/or reduced hours of operation.” But, Metro spokesperson Jeff Switzer assured us, that does not mean anything drastic, such as a route starting hours later than usual. But there are no printed/online timetables for the reduced schedules, so for starters, he advises, “Riders should prepare to head to their stops a little earlier and before they leave home should confirm whether their trip is operating.” To confirm that, use “Next Departures” on the Metro website or app, or use “Text for Departures” (text your stop ID to 62550) to get the next departure time. If you don’t know your stop number, Metro says you can do that via Trip Planner or by calling 206-553-3000.

Also remember that Metro (including Access and the Water Taxi) and Sound Transit have suspended fare collection – rides are free. And Metro is emphasizing rear boarding for (almost) all.

ScottAmick March 23, 2020 (7:18 am)

I’m glad I noticed your note about the online schedules don’t reflect the changes! Last night I checked the 120 and noticed that the trips I usually take downtown were still there on the schedule. Even the route alert for the 120 just talks about the Alaskan Way changes awhile back. I’m not taking the bus much right now anyway but thanks for the heads up.

AlexC March 23, 2020 (8:15 am)

I ride the 116/118/119 to work during the week. Today there were 3 of us total on my bus. I saw one other bus at the same time and they looked empty. It took 15 minutes to get downtown. I have noticed that people not going into work aren’t out that early anymore but they seem to get restless and start wandering around more close to lunch time. That is when I see the most people out on the streets. So if it’s important that you go out and do something, and want to avoid people, I recommend going earlier in the day.

Marge E. March 23, 2020 (10:59 am)

how is it the 22 not only did not get cut, that it actually exists? I have been in West Seattle for 24 years. My husband and I openly mock route 22. There is never anyone on it! those bus hours could be diverted to Alki! (BTW I live in Fauntleroy) The 22 duplicates the C line and the 21. some politician or King County Metro exc must have a relative that lives on the 22 route.

AMD March 23, 2020 (12:49 pm)

The 22 crosses the C line and duplicates part of the 21 EXPRESS, but serves as filler for routes that were re-configured when the c-line was created some years back. There are neighborhoods that would have no service at all without the 22. It serves Gatewood where the old 22 used to go. This gives folks in Gatewood and along Thistle a direct route to Westwood Village and the Junction. The stretch down 26th used to be served by the 125 before they changed that route to terminate at WWV. People who live in that area (north Shorewood) only have the 113 otherwise, a peak-hour-only express to downtown. In runs in Arbor Heights to replace the 21 Local, since that was also made to terminate at WWV when the c-line was created. Now only the 21X runs in that neighborhood otherwise, also a peak-only run. It is still, admittedly, not an amazing route, mostly because it connects to other routes poorly, but it exists for a reason.
miws March 23, 2020 (3:14 pm)

Yes, all of what AMD said. Alki has certainly gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to transit and that stick got gradually shorter over the past many years; the 37 getting less and less service over time, some segments of it being replaced by other routes, and now, some of those replacement routes being gone themselves. I guess Metro determined that “nobody rides the bus”, as far as the 37 is concerned. I’ve always felt bad for Alki residents that rely on transit to whatever extent, but especially for those that don’t have a car of their own, and even further for those with no car and that have challenges getting around. A decade-and-a-half plus ago, when I had a parrot, I used to regularly go to the original Petco in the Junction. One of the cashiers was a Senior lady who was always pleasant to chat with. She had lived on Alki for years, I believe, perhaps even decades. She lost her bus service on the 37, and, IIRC, said she was taking taxis to/from work. That had to be very expensive. Now, ever since the September 2012 changes that brought Rapid Ride service to West Seattle, and many other existing routes restructured, Arbor Height was thrown into a similar situation. Losing the 21 local doing its loop, which it had done for decades, leaving the 21X providing service during peak hours. The only other service Arbor Heights Loop sees is the 22, which it itself, used to serve downtown to White Center, most runs even through-routing to Ballard, for decades as well. Quickly looking at the schedule, it appears it runs no more frequently than once an hour. I know of at least two WSB readers that live in Arbor Heights. One is now a personal friend, the other I know only from here. I know their loss of an all-day, everyday bus running the loop with 1/2 hour headways brought severe challenges to them in relying on transit. Not everybody is healthy enough to walk long distances, especially when hills are involved, or having to haul heavy stuff after shopping. I have those same challenges and despite how difficult they can be for me, having to rely on transit or walking to get around, I feel fortunate to have reliable transit to the places I visit the most. Mike

anonyme March 23, 2020 (12:55 pm)

Marge, you are completely wrong. There are a lot of people who completely rely on the 22, as it is the ONLY bus through Arbor Heights on off-peak hours. It does not “duplicate” the 21 except for a very limited stretch of the route during peak hours, and doesn’t duplicate the C at all, except for part of California. The C does not serve Arbor Heights. Are you suggesting that only one bus should run on California or one bus to the Junction? In the morning and afternoons, it is packed with students and I know several people for whom the 22 is the only bus option for them to get to work. There’s no need to “mock” an essential transportation option due to some careless observation, or just because you don’t need it personally.

Sorry, comment time is over.