UPDATE: Two things to know about Metro’s next ‘service change’ – how it will, and won’t, affect West Seattle riders

ORIGINAL WEDNESDAY REPORT: Twice a year, Metro has a major “service change” that usually affects dozens of routes. The next one has been announced for August 29, and while the announcement was headlined, “King County Metro announces major service expansion across King County,” West Seattle is going largely without additions/changes this time, with one exception: Route 987 to Haller Lake, paid for by Lakeside School, will now be going to Westwood Village instead of 12th/Cloverdale in South Park. Metro tells us that while the school funds this route, the public can ride it.

We also asked Metro spokesperson Jeff Switzer about a projected date for returning bus service to SW Barton by Roxhill Park/WWV, since the repaving project is mostly done, and the buses’ reroute was done in connection with the previous service change last spring. He replied:

Routes are still rerouted off of SW Barton Street, and we do not yet have an official return date for Metro service to SW Barton Street, but are working closely with our partners at SDOT. We are not planning for a return to SW Barton at the fall 2026 service change.

If you’re interested in the routes elsewhere that are changing as of August 29, you can find route-by-route info here.

ADDED THURSDAY AFTERNOON: We’ll publish a detailed story about this later, but SDOT now says that though the construction is over, the buses won’t move back until Metro’s March 2027 service change.

KT August 5, 2026 (3:42 pm)

Interesting to learn of Route 987. Will definitely take advantage of thst one.

HawkFan12 August 5, 2026 (3:42 pm)

I’m glad they didn’t reduce the 56/57 route yet again.

Alex August 10, 2026 (8:30 pm)

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I totally agree. But we’re moving into the 2026 transit measure. Most of the reductions on 56/57 over the years happened during the 2020 transit measure. That era had challenges with funding and staff operations. They are trying to recover funding and operators. I just hope they can add back those trips if not add mid-day service to the 56 or 57. I think it will be wise to vote in favor of the taxes unless they’re reducing 56 and 57 regardless of whether it’s passed or not. But I can’t imagine that would be the case. Reductions would be more likely if the tax isn’t doubled.

KT August 5, 2026 (3:44 pm)

Route 987 goes to all of these places. Nice to add that into our bus mix.

South Park, Rainier Beach, Seward Park, Mount Baker Transit Center, Roosevelt, Ravenna, Haller Lake

Jon August 6, 2026 (12:47 pm)

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It runs M-F once a day (6:29AM departure from Westwood, 5:09PM arrival) and allows people who aren’t the intended schoolkids to ride the bus “when space available” so I wouldn’t exactly consider it a bump in service. But if you do attempt to take it please let us know if they have room! This would be great for all those mornings I need to get to Rainier Beach by 7:00AM

Peter August 5, 2026 (6:00 pm)

WS needs better bus service. The 21 desperately needs massive reliability improvements, which could easily be done by disconnecting it from the 5. It also needs more runs of the express, and more frequent service at night and on weekends.

KM August 5, 2026 (8:56 pm)

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Amen. And more reliable service after Mariners and Sounders games!
Foop August 5, 2026 (9:27 pm)

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Make sure to vote for the Seattle Transit Measure later this year as it will allow Metro to increase frequency by more than 40%!
- Mike B August 6, 2026 (12:18 pm)
  
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  While the tax is indeed increase by ~50%, a 40% boost to Metro service in Seattle is not accurate nor is that a promise made by the City (otherwise, it’d be huge news). Per the measure’s website, the STM measure funds about 500 trips/day (280,000/yr) to be spread throughout the city, in addition to what KCM already provides. KCM funds and provides thousands trips per day within Seattle as part of their baseline service.
  
  Getting into specific numbers: the C Line on its own has 115 trips per weekday and the 21 about 75 daily trips; 190 trips total for two routes. Just boosting service on those two routes by 40% would take 75 more trips per day. The E Line alone is nearly 150 trips/day, needing 60 trips/day for a 40% boost. Boosting those three routes by 40% uses ~25% (135/500) of that new 500/day service. Start multiplying this out further with dozens of city-wide routes, 500 trips city-wide doesn’t go far enough to boost Seattle’s bus service by 40%.
  - Alex August 10, 2026 (8:32 pm)
    
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    Metro needs to stop adding to already frequent routes (unless they’re packed with people at certain times) and start respecting the underserved communities more!
- Alex August 7, 2026 (12:09 pm)
  
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  I’m REALLY unhappy about this map. It’s a HORRIBLE example of what routes to put more investment in. ALL of those routes are already frequent and do not need any more service!! I won’t be voting to increase the tax unless I know the actual investment plan and it’s actually a good one.
Alex August 7, 2026 (12:08 pm)

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I totally agree. Arbor Heights, Beach Drive, Admiral and Alki ALL need better, more frequent bus service. Ridership shouldn’t have to be THAT high to justify.