Week of Jun. 9, 2008 More buses for more riders
The new hybrid buses look exactly like the ones already in Metro's fleet. | As people turn to King County Metro Transit in record numbers, an influx of 22 new articulated hybrid buses is about to make the ride a little easier for many customers. Metro already put six of the new articulated hybrids into service last week. The remaining hybrid coaches are in the process of being serviced and will be deployed within the next few weeks. Other hybrid buses already in the fleet will be reassigned so that the larger coaches are spread across Metro’s system to help ease overcrowding on some of the busiest routes. “Metro has many commute-time trips that are regularly operating with packed 40-foot buses," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "These new 60-foot buses will help us relieve some of the overcrowding on popular routes that are frequently standing-room-only.” At least 40 weekday trips that are currently overcrowded and operating with standard 40-foot buses will be assigned larger coaches. Once all 22 are in service, the new buses will deliver approximately 90 total weekday trips.
Installation of the electronic system was finished once the buses arrived in Seattle. | The hybrids are 60 percent larger than Metro’s standard buses, and will relieve an overall shortage of larger buses in Metro’s fleet. This will give Metro the flexibility it needs to maximize the use of its fleet to carry the most passengers. The addition brings the total number of hybrid buses in the Metro system to 236 – one of the largest articulated hybrid fleets in North America. Metro managers say the hybrid buses have already proven themselves to be excellent performers. They achieve better fuel economy compared to regular buses, while delivering a smoother and quieter ride for passengers. Metro estimates each hybrid bus burns 30 percent less fuel than a conventional coach, which adds up to much-needed fuel economy in this era of escalating fuel costs. And, this latest hybrid bus acquisition is allowing Metro to remain at the forefront of a growing movement to fight global warming by reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. This month’s delivery precedes another Metro order for 30 additional hybrid buses to help beef-up transit options during the first phases of construction on the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Those buses are expected to arrive in 2009. And, future deliveries will include 100 new specially designed hybrids that will serve Metro’s new RapidRide bus rapid transit service on five busy corridors in King County beginning in 2010.
Metro’s bus ridership is like the price of gasoline – it just keeps going up. During the month of April, Metro averaged 395,000 daily boardings on weekdays. It’s an increase of about 22,000 boardings a day over the average for the same month in 2007 – or, a 5.9 percent increase. Park-and-ride lots are also seeing increased use. During the first three months of 2008, the 129 lots served by Metro accommodated almost 2,000 more vehicles a day. That equals a 13 percent increase in park-and-ride usage for the first quarter of 2008 compared to first quarter of 2007. |
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Tree trimming scheduled for road near Duvall The King County Road Services Division will be trimming trees this week on Northeast Lake Joy Road from Kelly Road Northeast to the y-intersection of East Lake Joy Drive Northeast. Residents who live in the area contacted the county about tree branches blocking sightlines for drivers on Lake Joy Road. Also, heavy rain or wind could cause branches on these trees to break – a hazard to both pedestrians and motorists. So, several large limbs that overhang the roadway will be trimmed. The trimming is expected to start this Wednesday, June 11 and last through Friday, June 13. | 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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