Major federal grant, debut of first “RapidRide” bus, set stage for next generation of Metro transit service

Investments move Metro closer to launching new bus rapid transit system

 Watch the video of today's event

RapidRide Fact Sheet

As King County Metro Transit grapples with one of the worst revenue shortfalls in its history, the arrival of nearly $14 million in new federal grant money couldn’t have come at a better time.  That funding, announced today by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), comes as Metro prepares to road test the latest addition to its fleet – a cost-effective state-of-the-art hybrid bus that will move Metro’s new “RapidRide” service one step closer to reality.

On day two of a major national public transportation conference being held in Seattle, acting FTA Administrator Matt Welbes announced his agency is immediately releasing $13.8 million dollars to help fund the acquisition of new articulated hybrid-electric coaches and other system improvements to support Metro’s first RapidRide line. The funding will help pay for 16 new buses, various station and shelter enhancements and real-time information systems for the “A Line” serving the cities of Tukwila, Sea Tac, Des Moines, Kent and Federal Way beginning in 2010.

“The release of federal funding and arrival of this new coach will help Metro deliver on its promise of offering more frequent, all-day bus rapid transit (BRT) service on five of the county’s busiest transit corridors as part of its “Transit Now” program,” King County Executive Ron Sims said.  “While a steep decline in operating revenues threatens many Metro programs and services by 2010, RapidRide remains a solid investment that must be preserved in order to serve some of the most densely populated high ridership areas in our county.”

Sims, transit officials and county councilmembers got their first look today at the prototype bus about to become the workhorse of Metro’s new RapidRide service. Its look is distinctively different from others in the transit fleet. The sleek red and yellow coach is equipped with three doors to speed boarding, 48 seats, a roomy interior and hybrid-electric engine that delivers fuel economy and reduced emissions. Also unveiled today was a prototype of the new shelter design that will further distinguish Metro’s future BRT corridors.

The RapidRide prototype is the first of 100 buses, manufactured by New Flyer of America, scheduled to arrive over the next few years.  The buses are designed to be both efficient to operate and convenient for passengers.

In fact, efficiency is a key element of RapidRide as Metro struggles to cope with shrinking revenues.  Early BRT investments along Aurora Avenue North have been successful in providing more frequent service to large numbers of transit riders at a highly efficient cost. Everything about RapidRide – the buses, the stops, the way it operates – is being designed to keep people moving quickly and comfortably in heavily used transit corridors.

In the coming months, Metro will give its first RapidRide coach a full workout. It will be put through a full battery of road tests to simulate a variety of conditions, including full passenger loads on some of the county’s most challenging counterbalances, hills and curves. The first 16 buses will be deployed on the “A” Line serving Tukwila to Federal Way via Pacific Highway South beginning in mid-2010.  Additional Metro RapidRide corridors will include:

•Bellevue to Redmond on NE Eighth Street and 156th Avenue NE via Crossroads and Overlake (2011)
•West Seattle to downtown Seattle using Fauntleroy Way SW, California Avenue SW, and State Route 99 (2011)
•Ballard to Uptown and downtown Seattle along 15th Avenue NW (2012)
•Aurora Avenue N (State Route 99) between Shoreline and downtown Seattle (2013)

As Metro continues to develop its RapidRide service, it hopes new transit financing tools approved during the past legislative session will help it avoid cutting other vital transit services.

“When our economy emerges from recession, we must have the necessary transit improvements in place to meet the travel demands of a new decade,” Sims said.  “That means making smart decisions now so Metro can continue to build on the work has already started.”

King County Metro Transit is among the 10 largest bus systems in the nation. Metro buses provide more than 118 million passenger trips a year, and the agency operates some of the largest commuter vanpool and park-and-ride programs in the country. It is also recognized as a leader in reducing pollution with its use of clean-burning fuels, electric trolleys, and hybrid buses. Metro customers consistently give the agency high marks for friendly, on-time service.