Week of August 31, 2009

Metro, Circle of Friends team up to make
senior transportation even friendlier

King County Metro Transit has expanded its partnership with an Eastside human services agency that is both saving money and providing better transportation for the elderly and disabled.

Pavel is just one of several Russian-speaking drivers who work for Circle of Friends.

All are served at the Circle of Friends center in Bellevue, which is open seven days a week. Some come because they are not able to stay at home during the day while their family members work. Others, who live alone, depend on the center for health services like nurse check-ups and physical therapy. And, all benefit from socializing with other people who speak their language.

Transportation from their homes to the center had previously been provided by the state of Washington through contracted service with private companies. Due to state budget cutbacks, the funding for that program dried up on July 1 – leaving agencies like Circle of Friends scrambling for solutions.

“Many of these agencies began putting their clients on our Access vans because their clients do need accessible transportation,” said Bob Sahm, supervisor of Metro’s Accessible Services program. “Circle of Friends chose instead to work with us and set up their own transportation service with the help of our Community Access Transportation (CAT) program.

“By doing this, Circle of Friends is able to provide a more customized level of service for their clients,” said Sahm. “And, King County benefits because the cost of CAT service is one-eighth the cost of Access transportation.”

Metro's CAT program supports 22 agencies operating more than 60 vans.

“It’s so much easier to provide the transportation services when it’s done by drivers who speak the clients’ language,” said Fischer. “The response from our clients has been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s really increased the sense of community here at the center.”

During the month of July alone, the vans operated by Circle of Friends provided 3,900 trips.

“Having these trips provided by Circle of Friends instead of Access has been amazingly successful for them and for us,” said Sahm.

Labor Day transit service and county furlough day

On Labor Day – Monday, Sept. 7 – most transit service will operate on a Sunday schedule. If a route does not normally run on Sunday, there is no service on Labor Day. Holiday/Sunday fares will be in effect on Metro bus routes.

One exception is the Elliott Bay Water Taxi, which will operate on a Saturday schedule. The Water Taxi land shuttle, Metro Route 773, will also operate on a Saturday schedule.

All Metro offices will be closed on the holiday. For more details on the holiday weekend service, visit Metro Online.

On Friday, Sept. 4, most Metro and King County offices will be closed as one of ten scheduled 2009 cost-saving furlough days. Metro will operate regular weekday bus service and regular fares apply on Friday.

See Metro Online for more information.

Seahawks & Mariners games could disrupt traffic

Two ballgames could bring a lot of traffic – and congestion – to downtown Seattle this week.

The Mariners will have a day game on Wednesday, Sept. 2 against the Angels. The game starts at 3:40 p.m., and could result in traffic congestion when it is over. Also, bus passengers who are traveling through the downtown area in the early evening on Wednesday may experience some delays in transit service.

Then on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m., the Seahawks have a home football game against the Oakland Raiders. The game will probably attract more than 60,000 fans, and many will arrive early which could slow down the afternoon commute in downtown and the SODO area.

Fans using Metro Transit service to and from the games are reminded there is no special service to Safeco Field or Qwest Field. But, there is plenty of regular Metro bus service in the area. Use the online Trip Planner to plan trips both before and after the game. Also, there will be extended hours for the King County Water Taxi on Sept. 3 to help Seahawks fans get home to West Seattle.

Ride the bus to Saturday's UW football kickoff

The University of Washington Huskies open the 2009 football season at home this Saturday, Sept. 5 with a 7:30 p.m. game against Louisiana State.
 
The UW will again offer free bus service to home games this season. Metro will provide direct bus service between Husky Stadium and the following park-and-ride lots: Kingsgate; Houghton; South Kirkland; Eastgate; South Renton; and Federal Way. The UW has contracted with Starline Coaches to provide service from the Shoreline and Northgate park-and-rides.
 
In addition to the park-and-ride service, riding to the stadium on game day is free on any Metro bus or Sound Transit Express Route 554 when you show your Husky ticket.
 
For more  information, see Metro Online or the Huskies website.

SAFETY REMINDER: School back in session, drive carefully

Public and private school bells will be ringing across King County this week, as students return for a new school year. That means there will be more kids, buses and cars on the road, and motorists are urged to drive with care.

The King County Road Services Division offers these tips to drivers and parents who are responsible for their child’s trips to school. More neighborhood traffic safety tips are available online.
For motorists

Drive slower – Driving at slower speeds allows you more time to react to the unexpected, such as a child darting out from behind a parked car. Remember that the legal speed limit on all residential streets is 25 mph, unless otherwise posted.

Avoid using neighborhood streets as short cuts – The more we use residential streets as short cuts, the more it threatens the safety of children walking or riding bikes to school.

Observe all traffic laws at all times – Do not take chances even on short local trips to the grocery store or school. Most accidents occur close to home.

Yield to pedestrians – Pedestrians have the right-of-way at intersections whether crosswalks are painted on the street or not.

Teach your children – Make sure your children know and understand the rules of the road and traffic safety. Teach your children to stop, look both ways, and listen before crossing streets. Make sure your children know that even though cars are supposed to stop, they may not.

Supervise trips to and from school – Plan a safe walking route to school. Walk it with your child and point out areas where they should be especially careful. Check with your school district for safe walking routes. Advise the district of unsafe walking and crossing areas for children.

Set a good example – Drive the speed limit and drive with courtesy. Do not double park. Be sure to let children off on the correct side of the road when delivering or picking them up from school.

Make sure bike trips are safe trips – Equip children with both an approved helmet, and a solid understanding of bicycle and traffic safety.

For everyone

Don't rush – Do not rush while driving, walking or biking. Organize yourself to leave a little earlier, especially when the new school year brings extra traffic. In particular, do not rush getting children to and from school. Your urgency might send the wrong message, causing them to ignore traffic safety rules.