posted 07/12/10 12:37 AM | updated 07/12/10 12:37 AM
Views: 2416 | Comments : 8 | News, etc.

Metro planning to eliminate more Capitol Hill bus stops to streamline route 49

By jseattle
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North Capitol Hill bus travelers will have to walk a little farther to catch the bus as Metro's cross-Seattle effort to make routes more efficient by eliminating stops continues. Route 49 is the target for the latest tightening as Metro is proposing the elimination of 13 of the route's 50 stops. Details on the proposal -- and how to provide feedback -- is below. The stops are currently planned to be eliminated by August 7. You might remember similar cuts being made on the 43 and 8 routes earlier this year while over in the CD, Metro has recently announced a slimming of the 3 and 4 stop rosters.

Metro Transit is planning to reduce the number of closely spaced bus stops on the Route 49 corridor.

This change will help buses move faster and operate on a more reliable schedule, cut fuel consumption and emissions, and reduce Metro’s operating and maintenance costs.

Currently, the corridor has 50 bus stops between Convention Place Station and the University Bridge, with an average spacing between stops of 835 feet. Metro will remove 13 of these stops, increasing the average stop spacing to about 1,145 feet.

As a result of this change, approximately four percent of Route 49 riders who board between Convention Place Station and NE Campus Parkway will have to catch their bus at a different stop. When the project is completed, all riders should have a faster, more reliable trip.

The stops scheduled for closure on August 7, 2010 are listed below. To view an interactive map of the stops and find out how to submit comments to Metro, visit http://metro.kingcounty.gov/up/sc/plans/2010/062010-49.html

  • 10th Ave E at E Aloha St, northbound and southbound
  • 10th Ave E at E Highland Dr, northbound and southbound
  • 10th Ave E at E Blaine St, northbound and southbound
  • 10th Ave E at E Boston St / E Lynn St, northbound and southbound
  • Harvard Ave E at E Edgar St, northbound and southbound
  • Harvard Ave E at E Hamlin St, northbound 
  • Harvard Ave E at E Allison St, northbound and southbound

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    Good news!
    The 49 takes forever to get anywhere. It's good to see these high-capacity routes running more like rail lines, with less stops, especially north of Roy.

    On another note, the 49 always seems to be the crappiest bus that King County Metro has at its disposal.
    Comment by Ryan in the sky
    July 12, 2010
    map
    Hi Jseattle,

    Can you please make the map bigger so we can actually enlarge it instead of making it even smaller when I click on it?

    Thanks! I'm just hoping my stop isn't closed. Isn't on list, but looks like it on the map.
    Comment by Me
    July 12, 2010
    whoops
    I stand corrected. The full zoomable map is available at the metro site and you included that link above.
    Comment by Me
    July 12, 2010
    Save Aloha stop---future terminus of the Broadway Streetcar
    As a daily bus rider, I fully support the streamlining of bus stops to make the trips faster and more reliable. I'm curious when the 10 will be added to this effort...

    However, eliminating the Aloha stop is poor planning by Metro. The Aloha extension of the Broadway Streetcar has broad community support and I have to believe city planners, SDOT and Sound Transit won't leave the Northern section of Broadway in the lurch by not extending the route. If that happens, the Aloha stop will become an important transit connection and the 49 should definitely still stop there. I've put in my comments to Metro. Thanks CHS!
    Comment by seattlekps
    July 12, 2010
    RE: Save Aloha stop---future terminus of the Broadway Streetcar
    The streetcar will not get to Aloha for years, if ever. The bus stops can be readjusted when/if that happens. This is the closest stop to me, but it is no big deal, for me, to walk over to Roy, instead.

    I agree with Dotty that the elimination of stops on the steeper parts of 10th may be a problem for some people, but I would guess that they are cutting those out because they are not used as much as the every-two-blocks stops along Broadway. But it would be easier for people to walk a little farther on Broadway than on parts of 10th.
    Comment by Eric
    July 13, 2010
    Stop closures
    Desmond says: Metro Transit’s mission is “to provide the best possible public transportation services and improve regional mobility and quality of life in King County.”

    Transit stop closures to a standard of feet from one bus stop to another completely ignores service and accessibility -- public service. There are hills in Seattle. There are streets to be crossed with traffic signals in order to transfer from one route to another. There are a fair number of people who ride the bus because they do not have cars or money to use taxi services. This is especially true on Capitol and First Hills. Some bus stops are there because they serve particular facilities, such as Volunteer Park, St. Marks Cathedral complex, etc. Some are there because they make it possible to negotiate hills -- those along the freeway on Harvard, for instance. Some are there to facilitate crossing streets to catch another route to prevent passengers from needing to cross mid-block against traffic. For most stops, although probably not all, there are good reasons for their location. I believe that this policy, which I am assured is NOT King County Metro policy (by Larry Phillips), but Desmond's policy, is a way to avoid the political consequences of actually telling people they are cutting service. They are cutting service, just calling it "efficiency" -- a concept which has no place in public service. Please think about this and contact your local representatives.
    Comment by Dotty
    July 12, 2010
    YAAAAY
    holy awesome, finalllly! maybe there is a god? could they please do this to every route? This makes me so so so so happy! Most of the time I can beat this bus on bike but now it might have a fighting chance of actually being efficient.
    Comment by Andrew
    July 13, 2010
    I run faster than the 49
    I live at the E Prospect stop on 10th and run down to the Pilates on 10th studio every Friday afternoon. The last two Fridays I left about the same time as the bus and beat it to the studio. There really is no excuse for a passenger on foot to move faster than public transportation.

    I am very excited for these closures and think it is a great idea. For those who say that there are good reasons for the stops that are being removed, I have to disagree. In fact, many, if not all of the stops being removed do not have crosswalks or serve any purpose. The St. Mark's stop is still there, as is the Volunteer Park stop. It's the in-between stops that go away.

    As for the Aloha/Streetcar route, I see the point and agree. But if the streetcar is 5 years out, wouldn't it make more sense to remove the stop until there is a reason to have it and then just add it back? I don't think so.
    Comment by Austin
    July 13, 2010