Major restructuring of Metro Transit’s bus network begins Oct. 1.

It includes the debut of the RapidRide B Line linking Bellevue and Redmond, streamlining of Eastside bus routes to integrate with the new line and provide more efficient cross-lake services, plus more service and changed routing for those coping with Alaskan Way Viaduct construction.

Metro’s new fall schedule begins on Saturday, Oct. 1 and continues with the first weekday commute on Oct. 3.

Bus riders across Metro’s service area should check the routes they use most often to see what’s new. They can prepare by picking up a new purple timetable, Special Rider Alert brochure, or use the online Trip Planner for some advance research. Be sure to input a date of Oct. 1 or later, when using the Trip Planner.

RapidRide B Line

The B Line is the second of Metro’s six planned RapidRide routes. It travels between the Bellevue and Redmond transit centers, both located in the downtown core of those cities.

Along the way, it makes limited stops that include Crossroads, the eastern portion of Overlake, the Microsoft campus, and North Redmond. It operates with 10-15 minute service most of the day.

RapidRide is a new type of Metro bus service that includes newly designed buses, shelters and signs. The distinctive red-and-yellow buses are energy efficient, low-emission hybrid vehicles with low floors and three doors for easier, faster boarding.

The B Line also features free Wi-Fi, real-time bus arrival information at major stations, and a passive restraint system for people who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids.

Eastside changes

Many bus routes on the Eastside will be restructured to improve the efficiency of the transit network and to integrate with the new RapidRide B Line. The revisions are primarily in the Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland service areas and include:

• Three new routes: 226 travels through eastern Bellevue between the Eastgate Park-and-Ride and Bellevue Transit Center; 235 connects Bellevue Transit Center and Kingsgate Park-and-Ride via Totem Lake, Rose Hill and Kirkland; and 241 serves south and west Bellevue with service from the Eastgate Park-and-Ride to Bellevue Transit Center;

• Revised routing for routes 211, 221, 234, 238, 240, 245, 246 249, 250, 265 and 930 DART;

• Additional trips on routes 211, 212, 255 and 271, and Sound Transit Express 522 and 545; and

• Elimination of routes 222, 225, 229, 230, 233, 247, 253, 256, 261, 266, 272, and DART 926 to avoid duplication of service.Bus riders who currently use these routes are strongly encouraged to study the new service, routing, and schedules before Oct. 1 due to the many changes.

Also, over the past 18 months, Metro and Sound Transit have added nearly 130 bus trips a day across the State Route 520 Bridge. These service enhancements, along with park-and-ride and bus stop improvements, are in preparation for the electronic tolling that is coming to the 520 Bridge by the end of the year.

Alaskan Way Viaduct

The project to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct on the Seattle waterfront is ramping up this fall, and Metro is adding service and revising routing to keep people moving during construction.

Metro is adding trips on Route 54 between West Seattle and downtown and increasing frequency from 30 minutes to every 15 minutes during weekday, midday, and Saturdays to match the existing 15-minute service now offered during weekday commute periods.

This is a similar level of service that will operate to and from West Seattle when the RapidRide C Line debuts a year from now.The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is also partnering with Metro to add trips during peak hours on three other routes with viaduct connections: 18 Express, 120, and 358.

Rerouting some service is another way Metro is working to avoid construction-related congestion. Starting Oct. 1, the Metro routes that currently use 1st Avenue South in the SODO area will have revised routing that is expected to last for at least four years.

Routes 21, 22, 37 northbound, 56, 57, 85 Night Owl, 116, 118, 119 and 132 will move from 1st Avenue South to travel on 4th Avenue South between South Lander Street and Edgar Martinez Drive South.

Also, there will be a complete closure of the viaduct from Oct. 21-31. During that time, another 11 routes that currently use the viaduct will be rerouted to 4th Avenue South just for the nine-day closure.

When the viaduct reopens, those 11 routes will begin using the new viaduct bypass currently under construction. Watch for more information about this closure-related reroute in early October.

WSDOT, Metro, Sound Transit and the city of Seattle are urging people to help reduce congestion on and around the viaduct by leaving your car at home. If you can travel by bus, bike, water taxi, carpool, vanpool or telecommute, it takes vehicles off the roadways and helps everyone travel more quickly and smoothly.

New TransitNow service

Despite Metro’s recent budget reductions due to a drastic drop in sales tax revenues, it is still continuing with the TransitNow service approved by voters in 2006 as funding becomes available.

Starting Oct. 1, there will be additional service on routes 75, 193, 211, 303 and 309. Details are in the Special Rider Alert.

Several of these routes are operated with the financial participation of local cities and businesses which contribute one-third of the cost of added service.

Metro is making other scheduling and routing changes around the county to save money, preserve bus service, and operate more efficiently. Be sure to check for changes before you travel in October.

Metro updates its routes and scheduling three times a year to improve service and keep up with the changing needs of transit customers. You can find all the fall changes detailed in the Special Rider Alert brochure, which is now posted on Metro Online at www.kingcounty.gov/metro. Or call Customer Information at (206) 553-3000.