RAPIDRIDE H LINE: Here’s when the switchover happens Saturday

Just two more days before it’s out with the green-and-yellow Route 120 buses, in with the red-and-yellow RapidRide H Line buses along Delridge. We asked Metro spokesperson Jeff Switzer about the first official H Line trips on Saturday (March 18). He says the first one will be a 5:26 am northbound departure from Burien; the first southbound H Line will leave downtown at 6 am Saturday. Final touches on the stations along the line, according to Switzer, include glass installation and activation of real-time information signs (the ones we passed along much of southbound Delridge this afternoon all appeared to be activated). He says the transition hasn’t required much training, as, “The buses are familiar to many of the drivers, and the route 120 routing is too.” Though the launch isn’t until Saturday, there will be a ceremonial ribbon-cutting on Friday, with County Executive Dow Constantine and others in White Center, same spot where a ceremonial groundbreaking two years ago celebrated the start of station construction along the line.

8 Replies to "RAPIDRIDE H LINE: Here's when the switchover happens Saturday"

  • JustJedSaid March 15, 2023 (8:37 pm)

    Wonderful news. I hope it’s as convenient and timesaving for our neighbors as the RapidRide C has been for me.

  • Jeepney March 16, 2023 (8:26 am)

    I have noticed that many motorists do not realize that there is a stretch of bus lane on Delridge that is open to other vehicles outside of the hours of 3-7pm.  I routinely use that lane outside of those hours and get honked at, flipped off, and generally bad vibes.  The signs clearly state the hours that the lane is bus only.

    • BlairJ March 16, 2023 (11:59 am)

      The signage along Delridge is confusing.  After looking at it, I determined that it means parking is allowed in the bus lane outside the hours of 3-7 PM M-F.  Smaller signs say no parking 3-7 PM M-F.  I still am not sure whether it is ever legal to drive in that lane other than right turns. And I have never seen any cars parked in that lane.

  • RickB March 16, 2023 (8:38 am)

    The extensive work on Ambaum doesn’t seem close to finished. I guess they’ll just do the switchover and keep working on it? 

  • Whyfi March 16, 2023 (9:45 am)

    I’m really hoping the Wifi will be working and reliable on the Rapid Ride H Line.  My experience on others, they’ve been hit or miss.  

  • DC March 16, 2023 (10:11 am)

    I find it ‘funny’ that after the last delay they basically stopped all work on the route north of White Center and pulled the few RapidRide busses they had started to use on the 120. Then in just one week were able to install all glass and signs and apparently replace all busses too! Really seems like they forced us to wait at unfinished bus stops just so they could roll it out in one ‘impressive’ reveal. Regardless, I’m happy its here and love all the improvements (save trash day delays on those one lane sections).    

  • StuckInWestSeattle March 16, 2023 (11:24 am)

    They already spray painted the new glass at the Delridge park stop. its quite large. Any idea who to contact for cleanup? Makes me so mad that these taggers are not charged with felonies when caught.

  • D Martin March 16, 2023 (12:21 pm)

    Good luck. I moved here when there was still the 54 bus. A few years later, it was changed to the C Line. When it did, I lost my bus stop, and it took about 20 minutes longer for my commute Downtown. I now live closer to the Junction, so all is good.

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