![area map showing Stride lines of service through I-405 and SR 522.](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WASOUND/2023/08/8137174/4942430/stride-lines-of-service-nodates_crop.jpg) Stride lines of service on a map of I-405 and SR 522.
On July 27, the Sound Transit Board adopted a final budget and schedule for the new Stride bus rapid transit (BRT) service, including a new bus base and BRT lines on I-405. Sound Transit expects to begin construction of some project elements this year and to open for service between 2027 and 2029.
When Stride begins operating, trips between Bellevue and Burien will take approximately 40 minutes; trips between Lynnwood and Bellevue will take approximately 35 minutes. These travel times are 20 minutes faster (on average) than current ST Express bus service in these areas.
Bus Base North
The Bus Base North will be the first Sound Transit bus operations and maintenance base, serving the full Stride BRT fleet and a portion of the ST Express fleet with a total capacity of 120 buses. The facility, which will be open 24 hours a day all year long, will provide storage, maintenance, charging, fueling, washing, and repairs, and will deploy the bus fleet.
The Stride bus fleet will include Sound Transit's first battery-electric buses, providing a cleaner, more sustainable way to travel in the region. There will be a fleet of double-decker buses on S1 and S2, and 60-foot articulated buses on S3. Coaches will be in operation most of the day, charging each time they lay over at route termini.
The BBN is expected to open for service in the fourth quarter of 2027. The approved budget for the Bus Base North is $499.5 million.
I-405 Stride Bus Rapid Transit
The I-405 BRT project will establish a BRT system from the Lynnwood Transit Center to the Burien Transit Center via I-5, I-405, and SR 518. The project consists of several elements, including new and upgraded transit centers, limited new park-and-ride lot capacity, freeway BRT stations, and non-motorized access improvements to the stations. Sound Transit components that are within WSDOT’s I-405, Brickyard to SR 527 Improvement Project are part of the I-405 BRT north line (S2). The I-405 BRT will connect to the regional transit system at three Link light rail stations and the SR 522/NE 145th BRT line.
The Stride S1 Line between Burien and Bellevue is expected to open in the third quarter of 2028, and the Stride S2 Line between Lynnwood and Bellevue is expected to open in the second quarter of 2029.
The approved budget for the I-405 BRT project is $1.27 billion.
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