| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010 5:22 pm |
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Editorials 
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Commuters are voting with their bus fares Whether it's rising gas prices, worsening traffic or a growing green ethic -- or perhaps all three -- more and more commuters are getting on the bus.Community Transit reports that its annual ridership grew by 10 percent last year, to a record 10.9 million riders. Similar increases are being seen this year, too. Ridership between Snohomish County and Seattle was up 7.6 percent last year over 2006, but the biggest gains were on routes within Snohomish County -- 11.4 percent. And given that local service accounts for about 70 percent of CT's total ridership, that's some significant congestion relief on local roads. It's also a nice return on the investment we all make in CT. The 0.9 percent sales tax in CT's service area -- essentially all of Snohomish County except Everett, where a 0.6 percent sales tax supports Everett Transit -- is yielding benefits for all commuters, even those who never take a bus. While market forces are surely boosting ridership, CT has done its part to make transit a more attractive option and to keep up with increased demand. Monday's announcement that CT will order 23 new double-decker buses for its commuter routes to King County is the latest example. Besides the obvious cool factor, the "Double Tall" coaches will seat more riders than the 60-foot articulated buses they'll replace, while using less freeway and parking space. And because of their superior stability and handling, they'll keep running on snow days, unlike the 60-footers. Meanwhile, work continues toward a 2009 launch of CT's Bus Rapid Transit service along Highway 99 between Everett and Aurora Village. Comfortable new diesel/electric hybrid buses will stop every few minutes along the corridor, just as light rail would -- at a fraction of the cost. CT spokesman Martin Munguia reports that the new Mountlake Terrace Park & Ride garage is scheduled to open in February 2009, tripling the number of parking spaces there, and that a new Marysville Park & Ride with 200 spaces should open by summer 2009. Since those facilities are expensive to build, CT is also looking to expand its Park & Pool program, Munguia said, where the agency leases parking spaces that go unused during the week -- like at churches -- for vanpool riders. If light rail ever connects Snohomish County and Seattle, it's likely decades away. Sound Transit commuter rail is a good option for some, but won't run more than four round trips per day during peak commutes. For the foreseeable future, bus service will be the county's primary form of transit. For a growing number of Snohomish County commuters, that seems quite agreeable. |
- A revolutionary 747
- Fire breaks out at Everett car dealer
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries
- A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood
- Snohomish County's bargain housing won't last
- Boeing's 747-8 takes off after weather delay
- Plan for I-5 closures this week
- A new bowling alley for Monroe?
- Lake Stevens man homeless after fire
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged
- Vote on school levies by Tuesday
(11) - A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood (10)
- Lynnwood sets height limit on grass: 8 inches (5)
- Everett police officers cleared in 2008 shooting death (5)
- 1949 travel aid shows how few places blacks were welcome in Washington (4)
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged (4)
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries (4)
- County archive software paid for but waiting for set-up (3)
- Three politicians who want Gregoire's job in 2012 (3)
- Toyota has powerful D.C. friends (3)
- Edmonds educator, famous announcer dies
- Mill Creek to appeal ruling on annexation
- Through the air, with the greatest of ease
- E-W thriving under new coach
- The path to citizenship
- EUUC puts on ‘Pants & Shoes’
- Wolfpack wins the ‘Battle'
- Lynnwood’s annexation plans OK’d
- Arlington's Cascade Valley Hospital celebrates expansion, national award and 100 years of service
- Business Licences Feb. 2010
- Technology tips for launching your own business
- Business Events Feb. 2010
- Tech Talk: No excuse today for going without a Web site
- State already raising fees and rates that restrict business growth
- Some legislators again targeting people’s initiative petition rights
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