Transit Alert – Transit riders, be prepared for possible service delays or temporary reroutes during weekend civic and other events; wear a mask at stops and while riding; maintain 6 feet of distance from others; note service adjustments, travel options and coach capacity guidelines; allow plenty of time for transit trips

King County, Washington sent this bulletin at 06/12/2020 09:15 PM PDT

Heading into the weekend, transit riders should prepare for transit service delays or temporary reroutes in areas where planned and unplanned civic and other events may cause traffic, closed streets or detours.

Events may take place across King County, and riders are encouraged to check media sources for new updates and to sign up for Transit Alerts to receive updated information about service disruptions.

While every effort is made to keep transit customers informed, real-time service updates are not always available in quickly changing situations. Transit riders are advised to be aware of conditions in their immediate vicinity – such as street closures, traffic or detours – and be prepared for delays or to make changes to travel plans, such as using a different bus stop or a different route.

Current Metro operation
Thanks to everyone who is wearing a mask or face covering in all public spaces and continuing to maintain at least six feet of distance from others.

In support of coach capacity guidelines and the continuing suspension of fare payment on Metro service, seat signs to promote healthy social distancing have been added to transit vehicles.

Revisions during recent civic events and activities
In the wake of recent civic events, most Metro service is currently operating normal routes in the downtown Seattle area. Minor exceptions currently include:

  • Routes 63, 64, 70 and 309 continue to be rerouted off of Virginia St between 7th and Boren avenues; use stops on Virginia St west of 7th Av or on Fairview Av.
  • On Capitol Hill Route 11 is traveling via John St instead of Pine St in both directions between 15th Av and Broadway.
  • Metro Trolley routes are motorized.

Affected locations and impacts to transit service continue to be subject to change with little or no notice.

Transit riders are advised to expect possible service delays on all bus routes and service in the general area of any civic events.

In areas where there are crowds, traffic or events disrupting normal travel patterns or activities, transit riders are advised to be aware of conditions in their immediate vicinity – such as street closures, traffic and detours - and be prepared for delays or to make revisions in travel plans, such as using a different stop or route according to specific circumstances. 

Depending on the time and the nature of such events, Metro may not be able to provide real time information or service updates via email or text.  Event start and end times and other details may be subject to change.

Be aware of conditions in your immediate area, consider alternate routes or stops, expect possible delays, revise travel plans if needed and travel safely.

Revisions due to the COVID-19 crisis
Additionally, related to service reductions due to the COVID-19 crisis, Metro is continuing to operate with some temporary reduced service and fare suspension on buses in its King County service area, even as some regional transit partners are beginning to make revisions.

  • Link light rail is now charging a Link recovery fare.
  • Link is operating 20-minute service on weekdays, with service every 30 minutes
    on weeknights and weekends.
  • Sounder is now charging a Sounder recovery fare with no change in previously
    reduced service levels at this time.
  • Community Transit has restored fare payment to its Swift Blue and Green lines.

Before traveling, check Next Departures or Text for Departures for the scheduled or predicted times at stops.  Canceled routes and trips have been removed from these systems, so the results will include only what is currently scheduled to operate.  Real time information in customer information systems may be inaccurate during service disruptions.

Watch for updates, as conditions may change.

Weekend events
Besides planned or unexpected activities or events that may disrupt traffic and transit service in Metro’s service area, known construction-related impacts to transit service are posted in Metro’s online Service Advisories table and sent to Transit Alert subscribers. 

Watch media reports for news updates, be aware of conditions in areas in which they are traveling, have an alternate route or stop in mind and allow plenty of time for their travel.

It’s a good idea to check for a service advisory before you travel.

Know before you go

  • Allow plenty of time for your transit trip.
  • Please wear a mask or face covering in all public spaces, including at transit stops and on transit vehicles. Cover coughs and sneezes.
  • Maintain at least 6 feet of distance from other passengers and Metro staff.
  • Be aware of service reductions and coach capacity
  • Do not travel if you are sick. Board and exit by the rear door if you are able to. Safety straps and seat signs are installed to provide separation on buses and other transit vehicles.  Informational signs and decals are posted. Observe and abide by all signs, decals and guidelines

‘Reduced Schedule’ operation continues
Metro’s temporary Reduced Schedule operation helps to maintain a sustainable transit system for necessary trips. A few routes are not affected, some routes are completely canceled and other routes are operating have some trips that are canceled.

Many routes that are either canceled or that have reduced service have some possible alternate service options.

Weekday routes & services that are completely canceled
While many routes have two or more individual trips canceled, the weekday routes and services listed below are completely canceled until further notice:

  • Metro routes 5 Express, 9, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21 Express, 22, 29, 37, 47, 55, 56, 57, 74, 76, 77, 78, 102, 111, 113, 114, 116, 118, 119, 121, 122, 123, 125, 143, 154, 157, 158, 159, 167, 177, 178, 179, 186, 190, 192, 197, 200, 208, 212, 214, 216, 217, 218, 219, 221, 224, 226, 232, 237, 241, 246, 249, 252, 257, 268, 301, 304, 308, 311, 312, 316, 330, 342, 355, 630 - Mercer Island Community Shuttle, 773, 775, 823, 824, 886, 887, 888, 889, 891, 892, 893, 894, 895, 907, 910, 913, 930, 931, 952, 980, 981, 982, 984, 986, 987, 988, 989, 994 & 995;
  • Sound Transit Express Bus routes 541, 555 and 556;
  • The South Lake Union Streetcar;
  • The Seattle Center Monorail, and
  • Via to Transit.

Watch for updates, as conditions are subject to change.

Find specific canceled trips
Routes that are not listed above are operating, but may have up to several trips that are canceled.

To identify whether a specific trip is operating or canceled, the following tools are available:

  • Visit the check canceled trips tool on the Reduced Schedule page.  This page will list each canceled trip.
  • In real time, text your stop ID to 62550 to find the next few departure times at your stop with Text for Departures.  This feature will reflect only what is scheduled to operate and does not list planned or scheduled cancelations.
  • Use the ‘Next Departures’ feature in Metro’s Trip Planner website or apps.  This feature will reflect only what is scheduled to operate and does not list planned or scheduled cancelations.
  • Call 206-553-3000 on weekdays, 6 AM-8 PM.
  • Ask @kcmetrobus on Twitter weekdays, between 6 AM-8 PM

Watch for updates, as conditions are subject to change.

Other services
Metro customer services
Metro’s Customer Information phone line at 206-553-3000 is available during its regular weekday hours of 6:00 AM-8:00 PM for trip planning and general information, and from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM for ORCA transactions and submitting comments.  It is closed on holidays.

Metro’s walk-in fare media sales and lost-and-found offices in Pioneer Square are currently closed until further notice.

ORCA queries and transactions, submitting comments and reporting lost items can all be done on Metro’s website, or you are welcome to call the number above during regular operating hours for assistance.

King County Water Taxis
The King County Water Taxi is operating with one vessel for six roundtrip sailings per weekday. Water taxis are not currently operating on weekends.

Water Taxi shuttle routes 773 and 775 are discontinued until further notice.

City of Seattle First Hill Streetcar
The first Hill Streetcar is operating
- Monday-Saturday every 20 minutes from 5:30 AM-8:30 PM, with
- Regular Sunday hours and schedule.

The South Lake Union Streetcar is canceled until further notice.

Link light rail
Link service is operating every 20 minutes on weekdays, and every
30 minutes on weeknights and weekends.

Information
Visit Metro’s Service Advisories page for information about revised bus service, routing and stops for planned construction or events.  Transit reroute start and end times may be subject to change.

Visit Metro’s online regional Puget Sound Trip Planner to plan travel on transit, and for bus stop, schedule and other information, including predicted times at stops. Real time information in customer information systems may not be available or accurate in areas where service is disrupted due to reroutes or delays.

King County resources

Other transit agencies

Thank you for wearing a mask or face covering, maintaining appropriate distances in public spaces and for following safety guidelines while riding transit.

Be safe.