Everett, Wash. Published: Monday, September 15, 2008
More bus and train options on the way for commuters
By Yoshiaki Nohara Herald Writer
Transit agencies are scrambling to meet the growing demand for service as high gas prices continue to give commuters a reason to leave their cars at home and take buses or trains to work.
In July, 28,783 people took Sounder trains between Everett and Seattle, Sound Transit reported. That's up 22 percent from 22,368 in the same month a year ago.
The agency's buses have added more riders as well. For example, the Everett-Seattle route drew 84,148 people in July. That's up 25 percent from 62,788 in July 2007.
"I think it will continue to increase; it's difficult to project" how much, said Sound Transit board member Paul Roberts, who also serves on the Everett City Council.
Crude oil reached a record high price near $150 per barrel in July. Gas prices have fallen somewhat since then, but that's unlikely to bring immediate relief to drivers, Roberts said.
Sounder trains make three round trips between Everett and Seattle daily on weekdays, making stops in Edmonds and Mukilteo. A new $10.2 million platform that opened on May 31 in Mukilteo has brought additional riders to the trains.
Another round-trip is scheduled to be added to the Everett-Seattle route on Sept. 22, said Linda Robson, a spokeswoman for Sound Transit.
Community Transit is also seeing a surge in ridership. The agency provides bus and vanpool service, as well as transit service in Snohomish County for people with disabilities. In July, it served more than 1 million people for the first time in its history. That's up from 800,622 in July 2007.
"You get the cart before the horse," said Marysville Mayor Dennis Kendall, the chairman for the Community Transit Board of Directors.
The agency is set to increase bus service between Lynnwood and Smokey Point to meet rising demand for service. The change, which starts Sept. 21, should allow people to catch a bus every 15 minutes at the Lynnwood Transit Center or Everett Station heading to Smokey Point via Marysville.
Dan Shackelford of Everett takes two buses to commute from Everett Station to the University of Washington in Seattle. Shackelford said he noticed buses have been getting crowded, but it's still better than driving.
"I hate driving," he said. "It's too stressful."
Community Transit is also passing its rising operation costs on to bus riders. On Oct. 1, a fare increase is set to go into effect.
The ongoing energy crisis demonstrated how quickly circumstances change for commuters and transit agencies, Kendall said.
"The biggest lesson we can learn is to try to gain and maintain flexibility as much as we can," he said.
Sound Transit has no immediate plans to increase fares, Robson said.
Sound Transit and Community Transit are both trying to expand their services in Snohomish County. The former is set to put a $17.9 billion package on the November ballot that aims to increase bus service in the county by 30 percent and bring light rail to Lynnwood. The latter wants to annex about 32 square miles east of Mill Creek along Highway 9. Voters are set to decide on the annexation in the November election.
As transit agencies get more riders, fewer vehicles are using highways statewide. In July, about 1.66 million vehicles drove on state highways on average daily, according to the state Department of Transportation. That's about 70,000 fewer, compared to the same time a year ago.
Richard Miehe, who lives near Granite Falls, carpools with his friend Tim Leingang to Everett Station, where they hop on a Sounder train to get to work in Seattle. That saves them money, time and frustration, they said.
"I will continue to do this," Miehe said. "Traffic drives me crazy."
