Roads workers trained to save lives Not only do they build and maintain roads, but King County Road Services Division (RSD) employees are also skilled in saving lives. Two weeks ago, Senior Traffic Engineer Dave Paul was working near Des Moines Memorial Drive when he saw a pedestrian collapse with an apparent heart attack. Paul began administering CPR, assisted by a passing school bus driver, and their efforts kept the person alive until an EMT crew and ambulance arrived. All 600 RSD employees are required to be certified in CPR and first aid, and must renew that training every two years. Since their work takes them to all corners of King County, the Roads staff is always prepared to come to the assistance of a fellow employee or member of the public.
One alternative transportation option in the county just got a big boost. Last week, King County Executive Ron Sims helped announce that Flexcar is doubling its fleet and making car sharing even more convenient by clustering different vehicles in new “flex pods.” Flexcar is a company that provides a variety of vehicles to paying members to borrow for an hour, a day, or even longer. It’s a car-sharing service that started in Seattle with just four vehicles seven years ago, and King County played a key role in its launch. Today, Metro Transit contracts with Flexcar to provide car-sharing services in transit pass packages and in programs serving low-income job seekers. Flexcar has been expanding ever since its inception here in King County. It’s now in 11 major U.S. metropolitan areas and has thousands of cars in use.
Metro’s Accessible Services program has provided a new 11-passenger, lift-equipped van to the Snoqualmie Valley Transportation (SVT) program based at the Mt. Si Senior Center in North Bend. The vehicle was added to meet growing demand for special needs transportation in an area that has limited bus service. The SVT program is a partnership between Metro, Senior Services, HopeLink and the Mt. Si Senior Center. Metro provides a total of five vans and some operating funds to the program. In 2006, the program had more than 24,500 boardings. |
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Metro on deck for next Mariners homestand The Mariners return home this Friday, and will hopefully have snow-free weather to take on the Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins for a six-game homestand. Remember that Metro Transit is a great way to get to and from the ball game, either with regular service that travels near Safeco Field or special shuttles on weekends and after night games. For regular service to the game, Metro’s convenient online Trip Planner allows you to easily research which routes provide the best connection from your home or office to the ballpark. This premium park-and-ride service operates after weeknight games and both before and after weekend games. It is not available for weekday games that begin before 5 p.m. The fare for special buses is $3 each way. Detailed information for all Mariners service is available on the Metro Online website. Or, call (206) 553-3000 (voice) or (206) 684-1739 (TTY)
Spot bid auction set for Wednesday
A coin for sale in the next Spot Auction. | The next King County Spot Bid auction will take place Wednesday, April 11 and features a wide array of computer equipment being surplussed from county service. There is also an assortment of jewelry and collectible coins in this auction. The auction is managed by the Fleet Administration Division and includes both King County surplus and items from other government agencies. Previews are on auction day only, from 10 a.m. until the start of the bidding process at noon. Check out the Spot Bid website to see a few photos of items in this month’s auction. There will be approximately 50 lots up for bid, so come early to give yourself plenty of time to check out all of the items. The auction will take place at Fleet’s warehouse at 707 S. Orcas St., Seattle. For information, photos and driving directions, visit the auction website. |
