TRANSIT: Here’s what Metro’s next ‘service change’ brings for West Seattle routes

| Transportation | West Seattle news

Metro says it’s back up to “about 96% of (its) service” with more than 160 bus routes are operating each day, and some of them will see changes on March 19th, the next “service change” date. Those are detailed systemwide on this Metro webpage. Metro’s highlight list include these changes for routes including West Seattle service; we’ve linked each affected route number to its new timetable:

Added service “as part of Seattle’s Frequent Transit Network” – 21, 60
Routes with “added or adjusted trips to support demand at public school bell times” – 50, 128
Schedule changes – 21, 50, 60, 128

Routes 37 and 116 continue to be indefinitely suspended, as does Saturday service on Route 125. Metro’s next service change will be in September, which is when Route 120 is planned for conversion to the RapidRide H Line.

Matthieu March 7, 2022 (3:27 pm)

Did Metro say why they don’t want to stop the suspension of route 37, now that a lot of people are going to have to be back in the office, I would think it would be time to reconsider. Especially if Metro says the traffic is back to 96% of what it was prior to the pandemic

Michael ford March 7, 2022 (8:32 pm)

Metro doesn’t care about riders it only cares about how much it can make in tax dallors. If you’ve not seen that by now I feel sorry for you
CAM March 8, 2022 (7:32 am)

I’m not interpreting their 96% that way. When I read their blog where they said that it sounded like they were trying to say that they were consistently able to run 96% of the routes that they are currently offering. The following sections talk about the need to further stabilize staffing and service in order to bring back more routes.

Ryan Packer March 7, 2022 (4:00 pm)

The biggest factor preventing Metro from adding back more service hours with this change is staffing. Metro doesn’t have enough drivers to cover the routes that could see additional trips right now. These issues are impacting agencies around the country, but even moreso regional agencies that pay less per hour than Metro, like Pierce Transit.

Kathy March 7, 2022 (11:48 pm)

Why are empty Metro buses running along Harbor Ave and Alki on a regular basis? Are they training drivers on that route? So we don’t get the service on the 37 route, but the road is getting wear and tear from bus traffic anyway. Why train there if we are not getting our route back?

Sigh March 7, 2022 (4:47 pm)

It would also be great to hear why they don’t feel the need to restore Saturday service on the 125, especially since riders were originally told it was fallout from the December weather event and omicron shortages leading to the suspension as they worked to get service back to 100%. Adding service elsewhere while continuing what was supposed to be a temporary suspension is frustrating. That’s the bus I need to get to work on Saturdays and I’d really like to be able to use that route again.

KD March 7, 2022 (5:24 pm)

For anyone who is excited about light rail, just take drive down Delridge. That’ll show you what years of planning, community involvement and trying to build “something that works for everyone,” will get you. Total disaster. Not to mention, if Rapid Ride H is supposed to be a high speed bus corridor then why is the only about 1/2 mild of bus lane? Dumb.

Auntie March 7, 2022 (5:44 pm)

And didn’t the 37 run along the length of Alki? Wouldn’t it be nice if people took the bus to spend the day at the beach in the summer instead of their cars? People aren’t going to take the bus if they have to transfer two or three times and then walk a mile. They’re just not.

Mark P March 8, 2022 (9:09 am)

People can already do this. The 50 bus goes down to the core of Alki.

Herongrrrl March 7, 2022 (8:24 pm)

I suppose I was foolish to click on this headline hoping route 37 would be restored. I dream of the day I will again have a bus stop closer than a mile from my house. But I’m not holding my breath.

CarDriver March 7, 2022 (8:50 pm)

Auntie. 37 used to run from the Junction to S end of Beach Dr then all of Beach Drive to 63rd then all of Alki and Harbor Ave.

Taryn March 8, 2022 (12:47 am)

Bummed to see that the 37 is not going to run. We have to take two buses to get downtown. I love the water taxi but it’s time and the shuttle don’t seem to match up often and tripplanner rarely gives me that choice.

anonyme March 8, 2022 (5:20 am)

Please bring back weekend service for the 22. It wouldn’t even have to cost much extra if very early and very late weekday trips were cut back.

CarDriver March 8, 2022 (7:06 am)

Kathy. Those empty’s you see are headed (out of service) to (or from) 61st and Alki to pick up the #50 route. Rather than using Admiral way they’re taking the scenic route.

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