MONROE — Though it’s less than 10 miles, riding a bus between Monroe and Duvall can take more than four hours to complete as riders switch between four buses.
A one-year pilot program aims to reduce that travel time to under an hour.
Snoqualmie Valley Transportation, a North Bend-based transit agency, launched the new shuttle service Aug. 1.
Amy Biggs, executive director of the transit agency, said the new service is having a terrific first month.
“There hasn’t been a day we haven’t had riders on it,” she said. “Rural buses are pretty slow to take off … but then they become a staple.”
The route starts and stops in Duvall and makes six stops in Monroe as it loops through the city. The entire route takes about 90 minutes.
Buses leave Duvall starting at 8:00 a.m. and are scheduled to arrive every 80 to 115 minutes.
The last bus departs Duvall at 2:30 p.m. In Monroe, the final bus heading south leaves at 3:30 p.m.
Riders can also request special pick-ups or drop-offs in some areas.
The fare for the Monroe-Duvall shuttle is a $1 suggested donation per rider. An ORCA card cannot be used to pay the fare.
Buses are able to carry up to two bikes at a time and are accessible to people with disabilities. The route will not operate on weekends or holidays.
The pilot program is set to end July 2019, but Biggs is hoping funding can be found to continue the route.
For more information, contact Snoqualmie Valley Transportation at 425-888-7001.
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