Week of Oct. 6, 2008 Prepare to plug in!
King County Department of Transportation Director Harold Taniguchi tests out a plug-in hybrid. | As the automotive industry gears up to mass produce electric passenger vehicles in 2010, King County is laying the groundwork to help the region plug into the new technology. The hope is that support from King County and other government agencies will spur consumer demand for clean-and-green electric and battery powered vehicles.Last week, King County Executive Ron Sims published a five-point plan to support the national switch to electric automobiles. The 2008 Electric Vehicle Report provides a blueprint for new standards for government fleets, provides incentives for using clean alternatives to fossil fuels, continues the county's participation in a national plug-in vehicle demonstration project, and looks to new electric vehicle technology as the key to energy efficient transportation for the coming decade. While several parts of the plan are directed at the actions and operations of public agencies, a large component targets the needs of local residents. “Our department wants to be ahead of the curve in accommodating people who buy the first mass-market electric cars and trucks,” said King County Department of Transportation Director Harold Taniguchi. “We recognize that our reliance on fossil fuels cannot continue at the same pace, because it is neither financially nor environmentally sustainable.” Taniguchi is directing the efforts of both KCDOT’s Metro Transit and Fleet Administration divisions to make it just as easy for people to invest in this clean-energy technology, as it is to drive a traditional gas-fueled vehicle.
Metro already provides 120-volt electric outlets at the Issaquah Highlands and Eastgate park-and-ride garages. In anticipation of the commercial availability of plug-in vehicles, an additional 20 charging stations are being added to park-and-rides currently under construction or expansion, including the new Redmond Parking Garage, Burien Transit Center, and Brickyard Park-and-Ride.Beginning this month, Metro is launching a pilot project intended to reward residents who are already pioneering the use of plug-in electric vehicles and use transit for part of their trip. Starting with existing recharging outlets at the Eastgate and Issaquah Highlands, plug-in vehicle owners can reserve a space in designated parking stalls with electrical outlets. Use of these stalls will be limited to owners of plug-in vehicles enrolled in the pilot program. In addition to reserved parking during busy morning commute periods, participants will also receive free electricity and other incentives to reward them for their green travel habits. Owners of plug-in vehicles can find out how to participate in the pilot by calling 206-625-4500, or visiting the project website. Metro will also seek grants to add recharging stations at other park-and-rides as demand grows, and will explore the feasibility of offering plug-in vans as part of its VanShare program. The electric vehicle report also positions the region to take full advantage of the growing electric vehicle market and notes King County's commitment to piloting a regional effort to create green management standards on behalf of 21 government agencies participating in an "Evergreen Fleets Initiative". The goal of the initiative is to establish specific targets and strategies that will help government fleets purchase clean-vehicles and adopt policies that promote uniform best practices in fleet operations. Recognizing the importance of better understanding current technology developments, King County is also proposing to continue its partnership with the City of Seattle, Port of Seattle, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and Idaho National Laboratories (INL) on a demonstration project that will produce important testing data on vehicle performance. King County is converting four of its existing Toyota Priuses to plug-in hybrid electric, thanks to matching funding provided by INL. These efforts from King County come just as General Motors and Chrysler are unveiling plans to release the nation's first mass-produced, reasonably priced, plug-in electric vehicles. The introduction of these vehicles in 2010 is expected to have a major impact on the automobile industry, just as the introduction of hybrid-electric cars, such as the Toyota Prius, did almost a decade ago.
Metro Transit wants to hear your opinion about ideas for future bus service in Southeast Seattle and Southwest King County at one of eight upcoming community discussions. Bus service changes are coming in 2009 and 2010 to neighborhoods in Southeast Seattle, Skyway/West Hill, Tukwila, SeaTac, and Federal Way, and Metro and Sound Transit want hear from you on how to best serve local communities. It could result in changes for up to 30 local bus routes. The meetings begin Thursday, Oct. 16 and run through the end of the month. In addition to attending one of the eight meetings, people can comment via an online questionnaire, or by email, phone or letter. Visit Metro Online for more details.
You can show the boys in Seahawks blue a little hometown love when they return this weekend to host a game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Oct. 12. Metro will be offering special shuttles both before and after the 1:15 p.m. game at Qwest Field. Riding Metro to the game is a great way to cut through the traffic surrounding the stadium. Metro will have special shuttles to Qwest Field from four local park-and-rides. Another transit provider will handle service from the Kent Park-and-Ride. The Metro shuttle fare is $4 each way. Or, check the Trip Planner to see if there is regular bus service to the stadium from your starting location. See Metro Online for details on service to Sunday’s game.
The quarterly George Turner Award was given recently to a Metro Operator Jason Brandalise of Ryerson Base, for going the extra mile to help a bus passenger who is blind. The award is given by the Northwest Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans Association to recognize and show appreciation for transit operators who best exemplify a positive attitude and awareness of the needs of the elderly and disabled in our communities. Brandalise won the award for the second quarter of 2008. The commendation prompting the award described his actions as “beautiful to witness” when he assisted a sightless passenger in boarding the coach. Then when the man reached his stop and deboarded, Brandalise left the bus to further assist him. Another passenger, who made the commendation, said she was “proud to live in a city where the bus drivers serve so well.” |
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Dawgs vs. Beavers this Saturday Metro will be offering game-day bus service to Husky Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18 as the University of Washington takes on Oregon State. Eliminate driving and parking hassles on trips to and from Husky Stadium. Your ride is free on any Metro bus when you show your Husky game ticket or ticket stub to the bus driver. There is special shuttle service from eight outlying park-and-ride lots, and three special service routes from downtown Seattle. See Metro Online for all the Husky service details.
Fall out for old bus road trip Join the Metro Employees Historic Vehicle Association (MEHVA) on Sunday, Oct. 19 for a trip to the hills to view the fall foliage. The four-hour trip travels through the Cascade foothills along the quiet back roads of east King County when the autumn leaves are turning color. There will be stops for photos and lunch. The historic buses depart at 11 a.m. from the corner of Second Avenue South and South Main Street in Pioneer Square. The fares are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors (65 and over) and $4 for children (2-11). Metro transfers, tickets, or passes are not accepted. See the MEHVA website for more details, or call the MEHVA hotline at (206) 684-1816. | 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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