Southeast Seattle ‘In Motion’ program encourages healthy travel, and exploring new local bus service featuring regional connections

King County Metro Transit is launching an “In Motion” program in southeast Seattle to help local residents take advantage of all the recent bus service changes in their neighborhood.

Earlier this month more than 20 Metro bus routes were revised to reduce duplication of transit services and better connect with the new light rail service. Some routes have more frequent service in the morning and evening, and other routes were revised, reduced or discontinued.

The In Motion program in southeast Seattle is designed to encourage residents to explore their new travel options – both by bus and light rail. To get them started, each participant will receive Metro and Link tickets, as well as a large southeast Seattle map that includes the new routes, the Link stations, pedestrian paths, and key information about service changes and fare payment translated in five languages.

The In Motion program is aimed at increasing the use of transit, carpooling, bicycling and walking by providing information and incentives to residents willing to take a pledge to drive less. The more people reduce their driving and bus, bike, walk and share rides, the more often and the more rewards they can receive. The rewards include ORCA cards preloaded with $5 in fares and $10 gift certificates from local businesses. Local merchants benefit, too, from the increased emphasis on shopping locally.

Information about the program was mailed last week to 15,000 households within Mount Baker, Beacon Hill, Columbia City, Othello, and Rainier Beach neighborhoods. Information is also available online; or, by calling the In Motion hotline at (206) 296-3455.

The southeast Seattle plan is based on successful In Motion programs held previously in various Seattle, Bellevue and Renton neighborhoods. Metro estimates the popular programs have reduced more than 1,240,107 miles of driving, 60,659 gallons of gas, and 588 tons of CO2 emissions to date in King County.