New sales tax projections threaten Metro Transit system
The national recession continues to erode King County Metro Transit’s main funding source with new sales tax projections showing an unprecedented $100 million funding gap for 2010, and a worsening of the current 2008/09 biennial sales tax receipts by another $29 million. The revenue shortfall from 2008 budget projections could mean service cuts of 800 thousand to a million service hours annually.

REMINDER: Reduced schedules for Metro Transit on Monday
Metro Transit will be operating with a reduced weekday schedule on Monday, Feb. 16 for the Presidents Day holiday. That means some commuter-oriented routes will be canceled that day, and there will be individual trips canceled on other routes. Many routes will have no changes.

King County begins work on intelligent-road projects in Juanita
King County begins construction this month on two more Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) projects, and this set will speed up traffic flow in busy corridors north of Kirkland.

Metro bus and van ridership set another record in 2008
People are turning to transit in record numbers for the third straight year as preliminary 2008 ridership numbers show an unprecedented 20 percent increase in King County Metro ridership since 2005. Estimates show 118 million trips were taken on Metro buses in 2008 – a seven percent increase over 2007.

Metro Transit’s service change starts Saturday, Feb. 7
King County Metro Transit will update bus service starting Saturday, Feb. 7 – adding more trips on routes 10, 36, 157 and 255, partnering on a new route in the Auburn area, and expanding bus-bike connections in downtown Seattle.

Most Metro Transit fares increase on Feb. 1
King County Metro Transit is reminding customers that bus fares for adults will increase by 25 cents starting Sunday, Feb 1. A two-zone trip taken during peak-commute times will cost $2.50, a one-zone trip $2.00, and the off-peak fare will be $1.75. New monthly passes also reflect the increase. Youth and senior/disabled fares will not change.

Metro looking for feedback on Ballard-Uptown RapidRide service
King County Metro Transit is hosting several informational sessions to solicit community ideas as it plans new RapidRide bus service between Ballard and downtown Seattle via the Interbay, lower Queen Anne and Belltown neighborhoods. The deadline for comments is Feb. 25.

Reduced bus service for Metro Transit on Monday, Jan. 19
King County Metro Transit will be operating with a reduced weekday schedule on Monday, Jan. 19 for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. That means some commuter-oriented routes will be canceled that day, and there will be individual trips canceled on other routes.

Proposed bus service changes ready for review, comment for Southeast Seattle & Southwest King County
Last fall, King County Metro Transit and Sound Transit gathered ideas from the public for bus service changes in 2009 and 2010 for neighborhoods in Southeast Seattle and Southwest King County. The proposals are now ready for public comment and review.

As floodwaters recede, the work now turns to repairs
More than forty roads remain closed in King County this afternoon as road crews get their first good look at the damage that’s been left behind from this week’s flood.