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Week of Apr. 16, 2007
Sunday’s ride-free day another ‘green’ step for Metro  To show how important public transportation is to improving health and air quality, King County Metro Transit is offering free rides on all its buses, all day, Earth Day, Sunday, April 22.
“Earth Day is a great day to take one new action to protect our environment by generating less pollution and reducing global warming,” said King County Executive Ron Sims. “Rather than drive alone in your own vehicle, just hop on a Metro bus this Sunday to shop, worship, or run errands. It’s a great way to make a difference that’s good for planet Earth.” Metro is considered one of the “greenest” transit agencies in the nation. Its fleet of 1,350 buses and 800 Vanpool vehicles includes hybrid-diesel electric buses, electric trolleys, and diesel coaches that run on the cleanest fuels available. The agency has been in the forefront in the use of alternative fuel, and currently uses a blend of biodiesel and Ultra Low Sulfur diesel to run its buses. Metro is also the first transit agency in the country to join the Chicago Climate Exchange - a voluntary market committed to reducing carbon emissions. Another thing that Metro does to protect local air quality is offer services and programs that get more people out of their cars and onto public transportation. King County offers a variety of transportation choices that help drive down the number of single-occupant vehicle trips in the region.
Metro Transit uses hybrid-powered buses to provide 'green' transportation alternatives. | “We know the bus does not work for everyone – so Metro is committed to ‘filling the gaps’ through different services and hundreds of connection points that link multiple modes of travel,” said Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond.In addition to bus service connected by a vast system of transit centers and park-and-ride lots, Metro offers vanpools, vanshares, shuttles to special events, accessible services for people with disabilities. There area also a variety of transit pass packages that include other transportation options such as Flexcar car sharing and the “home-free guarantee,” which promises up to eight emergency taxi rides per employee per year. This Sunday’s ride-free day is a great way to explore the bus system, especially if you have never ridden a Metro bus, or ride infrequently. Any time on Earth Day, anywhere in King County, bus rides are free for everyone. There is no need to worry about transferring from Metro to Sound Transit, Community Transit or Pierce Transit bus service, either. All of those agencies are also marking Earth Day by offering free rides. Metro suggests that while planning your free travel on April 22, also check out the service available during the week. There is much more bus service during weekdays and peak commute hours, with many convenient connections between home, work or park-and-ride lots around the county. Metro makes it easy for people to take their first step towards trying its many services. A great way to get started is to visit Metro Online and explore all the travel options available.
A veggie-powered bus, wriggling worms and a giant salmon named Bert are just some of the attractions at the Fourth Annual King County Earth Day Expo [.pdf 1MB] in downtown Seattle on Friday, April 20. The Expo will be set up at Westlake Plaza, Fourth and Pine, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Staff from the King County Department of Transportation will be on hand in the booth displays representing eco-friendly businesses, community organizations and government groups providing examples of green products and services.
There will be an afternoon Mariners baseball game on Thursday starting at 3:35 p.m. Fans leaving the game at Safeco Field could affect the late-afternoon commute and early evening traffic in downtown Seattle. Regular commuters may want to adjust their work schedules to leave town earlier that day, or avoid the area around the stadium. For those going to the game, Metro Transit offers lots of regular service that travels near Safeco Field in the mid-afternoon. After the game is over, avoid the congestion, by taking regular bus service home. There is no special shuttle service either before or after the day games. Thursday’s bout wraps up a three-game stand against the Minnesota Twins that starts with evening games on Tuesday and Wednesday – another opportunity to use Metro to cut through baseball congestion. Detailed information for all Mariners service is available on the Metro Online website. Or, call (206) 553-3000 (voice) or (206) 684-1739 (TTY) |
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Saddle up for Metro’s ‘Pony Express’ Metro Transit is inviting horse-racing fans to ride its "Pony Express" to Emerald Downs on weekends starting this Saturday, April 21. Each Saturday and Sunday through Sept. 30, the Pony Express bus leaves from Second Avenue and Lenora Street in Seattle at 12:47 p.m. - makes a few more stops downtown - and is at the racetrack by 1:30 p.m. The return trip leaves 10 minutes after the last race, approximately at 6:40 p.m. The service is also offered on Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day. On weekdays when the Pony Express does not operate, or for additional weekend service, ride regular Metro service to the Auburn Park & Ride. At the park-and-ride, board the free shuttle bus provided by Emerald Downs. The Pony Express fare is $2 one-way, cash-only. Metro's Visitors Pass is accepted on the Pony Express, but all other passes and transfers are not accepted. Passengers pay the regular Metro fare on Route 150. For all the details, visit Metro Online.
Roads tapped to do trails repair A section of King County's popular Snoqualmie Valley Trail will be closed for three weeks starting Monday, April 23 while repairs are made to an aging trestle located between Carnation and Fall City. There will be no detours around the closed trestle, which is located two miles south of the trail's intersection with Northeast 11th Street and two miles north of its intersection with 366th Drive Southeast. Repair work on the project is being done by the King County Road Services Division's Bridge Repair Unit, and is being paid from the King County Parks capital improvement project budget, which is funded by real estate excise funds. The remainder of the Snoqualmie Valley Trail will remain open to public use during the repair project. | Subscribe to DOT DashSign-up to receive an e-mail text version of "Transportation Today," along with other significant DOT news by sending an e-mail to us with subscribe King County DOT Dash in the subject line.
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