Remember, “It’s a great day to ride Metro” to get to events and activities where there is often traffic congestion and limited parking.

Weekend Service Impacts

• Special Event Reroutes for Routes 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 21, 28, 40, 49, 62, 70, 101, 132, 150, ST545, ST550, ST554, Trailhead Direct - Mt Si, RapidRides C & E Lines; transit service will be rerouted for the Seafair Torchlight Parade and Run, from as early as 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 29 to as late as 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 31; more information is posted in this Torchlight Transit Alert;
• Temporary Bus Stop Relocation for Routes 2 & Trailhead Direct - Mt. Si; Spring St & 4th Ave (EB) #1270, just east of 4th Ave, is temporarily relocated to Spring St just east of 5th Ave, from June 1 to August 30;
  • On Saturday, July 30th, due to the Torchlight Run and Parade, from 3:30 p.m. to the end of the event, Trailhead Direct – Mt Si service will not serve this stop on Spring St just east of 5th Ave. Riders are to use the stop on eastbound Madison St just east of Boren Ave;
• Weekend Construction Reroute for RapidRide A Line; transit service will be rerouted in both directions, off of International Blvd between S 200th St and S 208th St, from Friday, July 29 at 10:00 p.m. to Monday, August 1 at 5:00 a.m.
• Weekend Construction Reroute for Routes 45 & 73; transit service will be rerouted in both directions off of NE 50th St and a portion of University Way NE, from Saturday, July 30 at 7:00 a.m. to the end of service;
• Weekend Construction Reroute for Route 48; transit service will be rerouted in both directions off of NE 50th St and a portion of 15 Ave NE, from Saturday, July 30 at 7:00 a.m. to Sunday, July 31 at 7:00 p.m.;

• Weekend Construction Reroute for Routes 21 & 50; transit service will be rerouted and not serving the stop on northbound 1 Ave just north of S Spokane St #15190, from Saturday, July 30 through Monday, August 1;

Service Reminders

• Seafair's Torchlight Run and Parade is happening this weekend and will cause transit service reroutes and delays in the Downtown Seattle area; 
• Seattle Center Monorail will operate extended hours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until 12:15 a.m. each night. The Monorail will depart approximately every 10 minutes;
• Get out into nature this weekend and take Trailhead Direct service to Mt. Si, Little Si and Mt. Tenriffe;
  • Temporary Bus Stop Relocation for Trailhead Direct Mt. Si; Spring St & 4th Ave (EB) #1270, just east of 4th Ave, is temporarily relocated to Spring St just east of 5th Ave from June 1 to August 30;
  • Service will be rerouted on Saturday, July 30 for the Torchlight Run and parade, starting at 3:30 p.m. through the end of the event, approximately 11:00 p.m.;

• West Seattle Water Taxi and #773 and #775 shuttles are operating on the summer schedule, offering midday crossings 7 days a week, plus late options Fridays and Saturdays; 

  NOTE Correction - the last Water Taxi to West Seattle leaves Pier 50 at 10:45 PM, not 11 PM as previously noted.
  
  • This Saturday's Torchlight events would be a great opportunity to take the West Seattle Water Taxi, last West Seattle sailing leaves Pier 50 at 10:45 p.m.; 
• We recommend customers arrive at their bus stop a few minutes before the scheduled departure time of their trip;
• Remember, it's free and easy to sign up for email or text alerts about King County Metro service. Alerts can be tailored to your favorite route(s).

Weekend Kickoff

• Prepare for continuing heat wave in King County

• Plan transit options to Seafair's Torchlight Run and Parade

Prepare for continuing heat wave in King County

The National Weather Service has extended an Excessive Heat Warning for Seattle through Sunday, July 31st. High temperatures in the low-to-mid 90s and low temperatures in the mid-to-high 60s will continue through the weekend, allowing for little overnight cooling, high risk populations should take extra precautions. 

High risk populations include: older adults (65 and older), young children, people with chronic health conditions or mental illness, athletes who exercise outdoors, outdoor workers, and people living unsheltered or homeless.

Have a plan:

• Find a place to cool down
  
  • King County Library System - Many libraries will be open and can be used as cooling shelters;
  • Local malls - The Outlet Collection in Auburn, Westfield Southcenter Mall in Tukwila, Northgate Station in Seattle;
  • Public Transit - King County Metro coaches have a powerful HVAC system with MERV-9 air filters as part of our layered safety approach for COIVD;
  • More cooling centers information can be found on the King County Emergency News website;
  • Metro is still collecting fares, but are not making them a barrier for customers who need respite from the extreme heat or a ride to cooling resource.
• Reduce physical activity and move to shaded areas. Do outdoor activities in the cooler morning or evening hours;
• Cool your body down quickly by wearing a wet scarf, bandana, or shirt;
• Drink plenty of water and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more.

Find more information here. 

Plan transit options to Seafair's Torchlight Run and Parade

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Seafair Photography Committee

With so much going on around the region this coming weekend, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and travel with Metro!

The Downtown Seattle area will experience planned reroutes, congestion and delays due to extra riders, street closures and traffic associated with this year's Torchlight Run and Parade. Please allow extra time for travel.

Expect traffic congestion all around areas from Seattle Center to Westlake Center on Saturday, July 30,  from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. as viewers and participants trickle in throughout the afternoon and evening, with especially heavy delays after the event is over.

For information about reroutes, visit our Torchlight Transit Alert, Service Advisories page and use Metro’s Trip Planner to get ready to travel.

If you’ve got a passion for people, we’ve got the perfect job for you! 

Metro is currently hiring part-time and full-time employees to operate the transit buses and trade professionals that keep the region moving. Learn more on our website.