Ride King County Metro buses? Elimination of some routes, other changes start Saturday

SEATTLE -- Metro Transit riders are bracing for the elimination of bus routes throughout King County. The cuts include 28 routes starting Saturday.

The county is also altering the schedules for another 13 routes.

“I’m kind of shocked right now because this is the way I get home,” said Sara Savlan.

Savlan was the only person waiting for the Route 47 bus in Seattle at lunchtime Wednesday. The route is one of those that will no longer be in service.

“This is affecting a lot of people,” said Savlan.

At bus stops, King County has posted signs to inform riders about the changes. There are also pamphlets inside the buses with alternative routes.



This is the first round of cuts due to a budget shortfall over several years. Metro Transit is reducing service by 400,000 hours. The elimination of routes will be phased in with the next cuts scheduled in February.

“It is the largest service reduction in Metro Transit history,” said Metro Transit General Manager Kevin Desmond.

Metro expected the cuts to be worse, but a combination of reforms and a decline in fuel prices saved additional bus routes. Metro reports an increase in ridership and officials said they should be increasing service to meet demand.

Metro employees will be out at bus stops Thursday and Friday to remind riders about the route changes coming Saturday and next week.

For a list of eliminated routes and other changes: http://metro.kingcounty.gov/up/scvchange.html