Metro Transit Alert – Visit MetroWinter.com for information about transit operations when it snows in Metro’s service area

Metro’s MetroWinter.com website was recently updated to provide the best possible information about how transit riders can use Metro and other transit services in the snow, and what to expect during unpredictable conditions.

Transit riders are encouraged to be aware of conditions in their area, prepare and dress accordingly; know the planned snow route(s) of the routes they ride; use regularly posted timetables to plan their travel; check posted information, then allow plenty of time and expect delays. 

While Metro uses all available resources to operate service as normally as possible during adverse weather conditions, the safety of everyone is the highest priority.

It may not be possible for Metro to know about every service impact at the trip or stop level, and updates may take time.

Using MetroWinter.com
When Metro is affected by snow or ice, Metro’s website is updated and Transit Alerts are sent to affected subscribers. 

For information, sign up for Transit Alerts and visit Metro’s MetroWinter.com.

The MetroWinter.com site includes a snow area impact indicator map; a snow impact table with entries ordered by route number, then the snow areas from the map; access to recently sent Transit Alerts via Metro’s RSS feed, and a Transit Alerts sign-up form.

Metro’s snow area map
It’s possible for a wide range of conditions to exist at any one time within Metro’s service area, so it has been divided into seven ‘snow areas’.  It would usually be expected that conditions would be about the same within each snow area at a given time.

When snow or ice start to affect large portions of Metro’s service area, an online color-coded King County snow area map is activated to indicate affected areas.

Each snow area has many Metro routes or services that operate within it.

Additionally, it’s possible for individual routes to serve multiple snow areas.

It’s possible that not all routes have designated snow reroutes in all – or any - areas they serve.

When a snow area is green on the map it means that all service in that area is operating normally, with no snow reroutes in operation.

When an area on the map is yellow, it means that some – but not all – routes in that area are operating on their designated snow routing.  Even if only one route is not using its designated snow route, the area will be yellow.

When an area on the map is red, it means that all routes in that area that have designated snow routing are operating on that snow routing.

If Metro implements its Emergency Snow Network (ESN), the entire map will be blue.

When snow reroutes are in effect, check the Snow Route Advisory table below the map for more information.

Metro’s Snow Route Advisory table
As designated snow reroutes go into effect, Metro updates its Snow Route Advisory table.

The table is only published when Metro has declared a snow event that has also prompted related actions, such as chaining bus tires.  When this happens, Metro sends Transit Alerts to subscribing customers and updates its website.

Use the table in conjunction with the snow area map.

The table is sorted first by route number, then by each of the snow areas through which the route passes.

It’s possible for individual routes to serve multiple snow areas.

Not all routes have designated snow routes in all areas they serve.

When determining if your route or stop is affected, be sure to look at the route entry that corresponds to the snow area from the map in which you ride the bus.

Once you have located your route and area, read the ‘Information’ field in the table for a summary of the current status of that route in that area.

If the summary in the table indicates that it could pertain to your travel plans, click on the link for a document that describes the reroute.

If the ESN is activated, that information will populate the table.

Snow reroute advisories
The snow advisory document provides a text description of the reroute as well as the specific bus stops that are missed and served when the bus is rerouted.

The document necessarily uses abbreviations in order to conserve space and support varying devices. A glossary that defines the abbreviations is included. 

While the trip planning portion of Metro’s on-line trip planner uses scheduled information and does not reflect snow routing, the map portion can be used for locating stops along streets that are being served, as described in the reroute document.

Metro operation during snow or ice
Snow & ice impacts are unpredictable
Weather forecasts and snow predictions are constantly changing. 

It is not possible to predict the exact timing or locations of potential transit service impacts due to the weather.

When snow or ice or related road impacts are present, Metro may not be able to operate according to regular routes and schedules, and it is not possible to know the departure times of transit service from specific locations, such as bus stops.

Snow reroutes
Some or all Metro routes could be directed to use their designated snow reroutes.

Designated snow routes are shown on the map in the timetable for each route.

It’s possible that some routes could remain on their regular route.

Some routes do not have designated snow reroutes.

It’s possible that reroutes could change during the day, and that unplanned reroutes could be implemented.

Where buses are not traveling into neighborhoods, on hills or onto unplowed streets, riders are advised to check MetroWinter.com, and wait at posted bus stops along flat portions of plowed and treated arterial streets, or at major transfer points, such as park-and-ride lots, transit centers, malls or colleges.

Canceled trips
When Metro operates on snow reroutes, it’s possible that some individual trips could be canceled, and that service could be delayed due to weather or road conditions.

It is not possible to send notifications about every canceled trip or delay, however all canceled trips are available via the Next Departures tool in Metro’s online trip planner, or by texting your stop ID to 62550, Metro’s Text for Departures tool that requires no sign-up or download.

Schedules & delays
There is no “snow schedule”.

When buses are operating on their designated snow reroutes, every effort is made to operate as closely as possible to regularly published schedules.

Transit riders are advised to use the regularly published timetable for their route, check the map, table and advisory tools to determine where to wait for their bus, check for trip cancelations as described above, then be prepared for possible delays.

If a reroute is short, or operates close to its regular routing, real time reporting in the Next Departures tool, or texting your stop ID to 62550, may be fairly accurate, however, real time tools may be less reliable during adverse conditions.

Know before you go
Metro riders can prepare ahead by visiting Metro’s website and familiarizing themselves with information about how Metro operates in the snow, as well as the snow routing for the routes they ride. Snow route maps are shown in timetables.

Be prepared for the weather, longer than usual waits at bus stops and more crowded buses. 

information

Metro sites

Visit Metro’s website for complete transit information.

 

Visit the MetroWinter.com website.

 

Visit the King County Water Taxi site for information about Water Taxi operation.

 

Metro’s trip planner & transit apps

Metro’s online trip planner and other transit apps provide trip planning and other information using data based on regular transit schedules.

 

Temporary service disruptions, such as those due to weather are not reflected in regular route itineraries or schedules. 

 

While “real time” – or predicted – information in transit apps may be less reliable during major service disruptions, it may be possible to get more specific information by visiting the Next Departures feature in Metro’s Puget Sound Trip Planner or mobile apps, or by checking Text for Departures on your smart phone.

 

It is not possible to know exactly when a bus will be at a specific location.

 

Partner agencies

Visit the Community Transit, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit or Washington State Ferries websites for information about services provided by Metro’s regional transit partners.

 

For non-transit traffic or other local updates, check media sources, follow @seattledot or visit

- https://twitter.com/seattledot

- https://twitter.com/SeattlePD

 

Everyone's preparedness and patience during snow or other adverse conditions is appreciated.

 

Travel safely.