The Route Ahead | July 2020 | Community Transit News

Community Transit sent this bulletin at 07/14/2020 05:07 PM PDT

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Community Transit's Monthly Newsletter July 2020

CEO Emmett Heath

CEO Emmett Heath Announces Retirement

After more than 40 years of public service, including 15 years at Community Transit, CEO Emmett Heath has announced that he will retire later this year in order to spend more time with his family, including his three young grandchildren.

On July 2 Heath announced his plans to the Community Transit Board of Directors.

“I’m very proud of this agency and the many amazing co-workers I have met during my 15-year career here,” said Heath in a message to employees.

“We have been resilient in the face of adversity, and we always rebound to provide better and better services for our customers. We have accomplished a great deal together and have had a lot of fun times along the way. Thank you for everything you do to serve the community and to make Community Transit the special place that it is.”

Read the full story at https://bit.ly/2NRuNOR.

New DART paratransit contract

The Community Transit Board of Directors approved a new contract for Dial-a-Ride Transportation (DART) paratransit service that will go into effect on Oct. 1, 2020. The goal is to provide advanced technology solutions and improved service to our most vulnerable customers. We look forward to a 90-day transition to improved service.

Anticipated customer improvements include:

A customer-facing mobile app to allow notifications and self-booking;
An enhanced ADA eligibility process; and
Integrated customer service with Community Transit’s Customer Care group.

Look for more information about the future of DART paratransit service this summer at www.communitytransit.org/DART.

New shuttle to downtown Seattle during Mountlake Terrace Freeway Station closure

On Monday, July 6, the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center Freeway Station closed in order to facilitate Link light rail construction in the median of I-5, next to the Freeway Station. A new, free shuttle, Sound Transit Route 508, is providing service from Bay 3 on 236^th St SW to downtown Seattle to maintain travel options during this five-month closure. The Route 508 shuttle schedule is available here: Route 508 – Mountlake Terrace to downtown Seattle. While Route 508 is free, fares are being collected on all other Community Transit and Snohomish County Sound Transit buses.

Community Transit Routes 410, 413, 415, 435 and Sound Transit Routes 511, 512 and 513 will not serve the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center during this time. Riders may continue to use the transit center’s parking garage and there are no other expected impacts to routes that use Bays 1-4. Alternate options for travel to Seattle include Lynnwood Transit Center and Edmonds Park and Ride.

Get up to date information on Link light rail construction impacts at communitytransit.org/linkconstruction.

Community Transit Honors Multi-modal Commuter for Dedication to Using Transit

Community Transit hosted its first-ever virtual Commute Options Awards event in May and named Lyndsi Stickles its 2019 Smart Commuter of the Year. Stickles commutes from Whidbey Island to her job in Lynnwood every day, taking Island Transit, Community Transit and Washington State Ferries.

The Commute Options Awards annually recognizes worksites and commuters who made a difference by promoting transit options in exceptional ways.

Read more about Stickles and the Worksite Champions of the Year at https://bit.ly/3ikY0zQ.

If you have any questions about what you've read in this newsletter, please email TheRouteAhead@commtrans.org.

Community Transit Board of Directors

Chair Jon Nehring, Mayor of Marysville; Secretary Kim Daughtry Lake Stevens Council Member; Tom Merrill, Snohomish City Council Member; Nate Nehring, Snohomish County Council Member; Lance Norton, Labor Representative; Jan Schuette, Arlington City Council Member; Nicola Smith, Mayor of Lynnwood; Mike Todd, Mill Creek Council Member; and Stephanie Wright, Snohomish County Council Member.
Board Alternates Mike Gallagher, Brier Council Member; Laura Johnson, Edmonds City Council; Joe Marine, Mukilteo Council Member; James McNeal, Bothell Council Member and Jared Mead, Snohomish County Council Member.