Snohomish County Buses May Meet Light Rail at Northgate in 2021

Community Transit and Sound Transit are considering operating buses from Snohomish County to connect with Link light rail at Northgate in 2021.

The agencies are seeking comment from riders and the general public on this idea. Under the proposal, Community Transit would send its 800-series buses to Northgate instead of the University of Washington. Sound Transit would send its 510-series buses to Northgate instead of downtown Seattle.

Each agency would take the costs savings from the shorter trips and reinvest that into more frequent bus trips to and from Northgate. Community Transit 400-series routes would continue to operate to downtown Seattle.

People are invited to learn more and leave comments at Northgate.participate.online through Dec. 31.

Swift Celebrates 10 Years of Serving the Community 

Hard to believe that more than a decade ago, Washington state's first bus rapid transit (BRT) line celebrated its first day of service on a very cold November 29 in a vacant lot in Lynnwood.

Today, that vacant lot is now home to 15 restaurants and retail businesses at Lynnwood Crossroads. And, Swift Blue Line has become the agency's highest ridership route.

The Swift Blue Line is the first of five BRT lines in the Swift Network. The Swift Green Line launched in March 2019 and quickly became the agency's second highest ridership route. Swift Orange Line is currently in design phase with an anticipated launch in 2024, just in time to connect with Link light rail in Lynnwood.

We're celebrating this decade of service by thanking our riders (look for special inserts in your community newspaper). We'll also have an ORCA card promotion, a customer appreciation event, and contests on the agency's Facebook page for a chance to win commuter prize packs. We're looking forward to celebrating this milestone with our communities and look forward to more Swift service to come.

Pictured above, top: The Swift Blue Line's launch event was held in a vacant lot near Crossroads Station. Pictured above, bottom: The vacant lot is now home to Lynnwood Crossroads shopping center, conveniently served by Swift!

New Six-Year Plan Prioritizes Easy Access and Connectivity to Sound Transit’s Link light rail in 2024

The Community Transit Board of Directors approved a 2019-2024 Transit Development Plan (TDP) that outlines service planning and hiring for the next six years. The plan calls for hiring about 160 new employees by 2024 to help provide 37 percent more transit service.

Community Transit is hiring now to continue its service expansion. Find out what jobs are available and how to apply at www.communitytransit.org/jobs.

The six-year plan will support the continued expansion of the Swift bus rapid transit network, with Swift Orange Line, the third line in the network. Swift Orange Line will have terminals at McCollum Park and Edmonds Community College, and will connect to Link light rail in Lynnwood when it opens in 2024.

Other highlights of the TDP can be found online at communitytransit.org/TDP.

Community Transit LIVE: Learn more about the Northgate service proposal

Today Martin and Roland talked about bus service options explored by Community Transit and Sound Transit to connect riders with fast, reliable service to downtown Seattle, University of Washington, and other regional destinations.

To view the recording at a time that’s convenient for you, visit:  https://www.communitytransit.org/CTLive.

Spend your lunch hour with Martin and guests while they spend time giving you the latest Community Transit news and answer your questions in real time.

The next noon webcast is scheduled for Dec. 10.