Home › Forums › WSB Reader Recommendations › WSeattle Buses…Which one? Are they packed?
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March 17, 2008 at 12:31 am #586564
AdmiralJimParticipantI’m starting new job in DT Seattle and was wondering if you could help me with the buses. I’ve used the MetroKC website about which routes but I’m more interested how reliable are they during the morning commute. How full are they? I’m coming from the Admiral and California area and the 56 or 57 express buses (maybe the 55) look the best, are these buses packed in the morning? Are they reliable? Is there a better mode of transportation? I’m looking at the Water Taxi, any word when that will be back on? I may look at bike riding during the summer months. Any help would be great! Thanks!
March 17, 2008 at 1:28 am #618995
JoMemberIf you can get to Admiral and California, the #56 Express is an excellent bus to take. Don’t know about the #57. The 56 I take that leaves Alki at 7:02am seems to always have sitting room. It gets downtown via the viaduct within 20-25 minutes, gets off on Seneca, and then turns north on 3rd.
The #55 can be caught at Admiral and California, goes south along Calif to the Junction, then downtown. Don’t know how long this takes. Longer way around, though.
My 7:02am #56 is always on time as it has a layover on Alki, then starts its schedule. The best thing for you to do is just go for it.
The Water Taxi doesn’t start until after Labor Day. You could bike to the dock, take the water taxi, then bike to work. It doesn’t run as often, would take longer to get downtown, but more fun! Hope this helps.
March 17, 2008 at 1:43 am #618996
BonnieParticipantGood luck! I don’t have any good bus advice but to just say to make sure that if you order your bus pass online that you do so BEFORE THE 22ND of the month. I ordered my husband’s on the 25th of last month and we didn’t receive it until the 6th! This month I ordered it as soon as it became available. I called to complain but apparently it says right on the website that you need to order by the 22nd to get it before the next month.
March 17, 2008 at 3:30 am #618997
GinaParticipantThe 57(single bus) has all seats filled by the time it reaches Admiral and California. The 56 Express is an articulated bus on the 8:05 run, all seats occupied by Admiral and California. If you want a seat by a window, the 55 is a better bet.
The water taxi usually starts service around May 1st, you have to try it first to see if it works with your schedule.
March 18, 2008 at 11:12 pm #618998
SuitsarenotBoringMemberI take the 55 in every morning and it is rarely packed on that end. It is pretty reliable as for time and takes around 20-30 minutes into downtown. I love to read in the morning and grab that.
For the trip home, 56 or 57 work well and run frequently – although they often are packed.
Water Taxi is wonderful in the summer and fall!
March 18, 2008 at 11:25 pm #618999
barmargiaMemberI’m not much of a help for the later buses, but I know that the 56E that is at 5:30 a.m. and the 57 right after it at about 5:50 are not at all very full.
March 18, 2008 at 11:58 pm #619000
amrakxParticipantI live on Alki and occasionally take the #56 from Starbucks on Alki. It’s quite timely since it appears to be a scheduled bus driver break point.
The only inconvenience is breathing once the bus makes its stop at Pioneer Square and the homeless board.
March 21, 2008 at 5:16 pm #619001
aaronskParticipantI take the 21 and transfer to the 55 every morning to get to SLU. The 55’s are very reliable, and there seem to be a lot of them (I once saw three in a row!).
Commuting to DT via bus is easy, fast, reliable, and when the bridge is backed up, you can just kick back and read. It’s absurd for anyone to drive that commute in a single occupancy vehicle. Even on the rare occasions that it’s standing room only, the trip is short enough to make it not that big of a deal.
Commuting to DT on a bicycle is one of the best ways to start your day. I recommend trying this for the first time on the Starbucks Bike to Work Day in May. You’ll be amazed at how many people you’ll see on that route, and following them makes your first journey that much easier. Maps can be found here.
March 21, 2008 at 5:40 pm #619002
andreaParticipantI take the 54 or the 55 DT everyday. Both are generally half full by the time I get on them in the morning (on Alaska near the YMCA/VFW), though by the end of the route before the bridge on Avalon they are almost full. Like aaron above says, taking the bus for me is a great way to relax and read and catch up first thing in the morning before the work day.
Coming back into WS from DT at the end of the day is a breeze too, as there are so many buses that can take you where you want to go. Depending on the day (and the weather!), I take a 54, 55, 57 or even sometimes a 21/22 express home, so I never have to wait more than 10 minutes usually.
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