 Top left and going clockwise: 1. Community Transit staff deboard and reboard the bus three times to test rider count technology. 2. Data Supervisor Janice Hellman shows a Herald photographer a list of Swift Green Line stops. 3. A Herald photographer rides along gathering information for a future article. 4. Signs on the bus sync with onboard announcements and locations. 5. Next Bus” signs notify customers “Just testing!”
Swift Bus Testing Makes the Grade
Earlier this month, Community Transit staff hit the streets of the Swift Green Line corridor to test real-time data displayed on customer-facing systems.
Testing began Monday, Jan. 7 to check the accuracy of:
- Information on “next bus” signs.
- Audible call-outs inside the bus.
- Automatic counting of customers boarding and de-boarding the bus.
- Visibility and real-time information on BusFinder.
Testers discovered that station names were appearing incorrectly on “next bus” signs, and that audible call-outs needed more landmark information. The team made corrections, released updated data, and then confirmed that the issues had been corrected.
Based on customer feedback, testers also reviewed the volume and clarity of the audible call-outs. More testing will occur later to ensure the call-outs are easy to hear and understand.
Janice Hellman, the agency’s data supervisor who helped orchestrate the testing exercise, said that it was vital to experience the new bus rapid transit line as a customer would. “We want to ensure that our customers have a great experience on Swift Green Line from day one,” she said.
Next Live Webcast: Jan. 22
It's winter, and Swift Green Line is coming.
If you've been watching the construction of the new stations, you've noticed that they are beginning to look nearly complete; many have information kiosks, ticket vending machines and even windscreens in place.
Want to know more? Join us on
Tuesday, Jan. 22 at noon.
Eat your lunch with June and Martin while they spend 30 minutes giving you the latest Swift Green Line construction updates. They'll be available to answer your questions in real time, too!
If you cannot attend the live webcast, you can submit questions ahead of time and view the recording later at https://www.communitytransit.org/CTLive.
The next noon webcasts are scheduled for:
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Feb. 12
A 30-minute webcast covering the latest Swift Green Line news and answering your Community Transit questions.
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March 5
An expanded 45-minute webcast covering the March service change.
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March 19
An expanded 45-minute webcast covering the March service change and upcoming Swift Green Line launch events.
View previous webcasts, provide feedback or submit questions at www.communitytransit.org/CTLive.
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 Heavy Construction Complete; Local Stops Re-Opening
Construction on the Swift Green Line stations continues to occur in phases, with each phase starting at the north end of the route and making its way south.
All stations are finished with heavy construction, and are in various stages of receiving electronic amenities (ticket vending machines, ORCA card readers, “next bus” signs) and physical amenities (windscreen, railings, benches).
Good news: Some local stops re-opening on Jan. 25
Four local bus stops needed to be closed during Swift Green Line station construction because they were too close to construction activity to be safe for bus riders boarding and deboarding the buses.
Two of these stops are expected to re-open on Jan. 25, as well as another stop that was relocated about 270 feet. These three stops are:
- Bothell-Everett Hwy. & 153rd St. SE
Northbound and southbound (stop #2648 & stop #2652)
- 132nd St. SE & 16th Ave. SE
Westbound (stop #2137)
The local stops on Bothell-Everett Hwy. and Trillium Blvd. (stop #2646 and stop #2651) will remain closed due to uneven walkways and a steep drop-off.
If you ride a local bus affected by these stops, subscribing to electronic Rider Alerts will notify you as soon as the stops are open. Subscribe for either email or text alerts (or both) at www.communitytransit.org/subscribe. To see the status of these stops without subscribing to an alert, visit bit.ly/GreenLineLocalStops.
Information about the Swift Green Line stations is online at www.communitytransit.org/SwiftStations.
Integrated Future Network
The Swift Green Line will run between the Canyon Park Park & Ride in Bothell and the Seaway Transit Center, currently under construction near the Boeing Everett plant.
Swift Green Line buses will serve 34 stations at 16 intersections and two terminals every 10 minutes on weekdays, and every 20 minutes on weeknights and weekends.
Swift stations will provide weather protection, seating, adequate lighting, real-time next bus signs, and a rider information kiosk. ORCA smart card readers and ticket vending machines will provide quick and easy ways for riders to pay their fare before boarding a Swift bus.
The Swift Green Line will connect with the Swift Blue Line at Hwy 99 & Airport Rd., establishing Snohomish County’s first high-capacity transit network. The network will eventually include more Swift lines and Link light rail (see map above).
The Swift Green Line will begin service on March 24.
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