Transit Alert – Fleet Week: Ride regular transit service to Hydros & other Seafair events

While there are no longer special Hydro shuttle buses, riding regular transit service is still a good way to get to the Hydro venue and other Seafair Fleet Week events.  

Everyone riding transit to Seafair activities is reminded to plan ahead and allow plenty of time for travel that may be affected by traffic delays, road closures and very limited parking capacity. Visit Metro’s online Service Advisories page to find out about bus reroutes or other known service disruptions. 

Riding transit to Hydro events
Metro will add trips to the Route 50, providing service every 15 minutes on Saturday and Sunday, August 5 and 6, between 10 AM and 2 PM for passengers traveling to the hydro races.

Route 50, which otherwise normally operates every 30 minutes, serves Genesee Park near the Stan Sayres Pit on Lake Washington and connects with Link light rail at Columbia City and Othello stations. Other transit service that travels closest to Genesee Park includes Metro Route 7 at Rainier Av S and S Genesee St, and Link light rail at Columbia City Station. 

Transit service to other Fleet Week events
In addition to Hydro and other Seafair events, U.S. Navy, U.S Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy ships are expected to sail into Seattle for Fleet Week and dock along the downtown waterfront for the public to tour and enjoy. More information about Fleet Week and the Parade of Ships is available on the Seafair website. 

From downtown Seattle, access the waterfront via Route 99 on First Avenue, or from buses on other avenues that stop near Bell, Pike/Pine or Madison/Marion streets, or streets in Pioneer Square. 

Military members in uniform or with ID ride free during Fleet Week – 8/1-6
Metro Transit, Sound Transit and the King County Water Taxi are proud to participate in the annual Seafair tradition of honoring those who serve their country. 

Members of the Armed Forces, either active duty or retired, ride free on Metro and Sound Transit buses, Link light rail, Sounder trains and the Vashon and West Seattle Water Taxis during Fleet Week. 

Service members not in uniform are asked to show their military ID to the transit operator upon boarding, or to fare inspectors when asked. Valid forms of military ID include a Veteran Health Identification Card, a Uniformed Identification Card or a DD-214. 

I-90 bridge closure reroutes and shuttles for the Blue Angels - 8/3-6
During Blue Angels practices and performances, all I-90 bus service is rerouted via State Route 520. Sound Transit routes 550 and 554 will not serve stops on I-90 at Rainier Avenue S, or on Mercer Island during the I-90 closures. 

During the I-90 closures on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday August 3-6, Metro operates shuttle bus service between the Eastgate and Mercer Island park-and-ride lots. Regular fares are required on the I-90 shuttles for non-military riders. 

I-90 transit service will be rerouted

• Thursday, 8/3 - 9:15 AM–2:45 PM
• Friday, 8/4 - 12:20–2:45 PM
• Saturday, 8/5 - 12:20–2:45 PM
• Sunday, 8/6 - 12:20–2:45 PM

Visit WSDOT for I-90 bridge closure information and the Seafair website for event information. 

Information about reroutes is on Metro’s Service Advisories page. Sign up for Transit Alerts. Visit Metro’s online Trip Planner or call the Customer Information Office on weekdays at 206-553-3000 to plan transit trips.