EVERETT — Sound Transit is looking to change several of its express bus services with routes in Snohomish County ahead of light rail arriving later this year.
Sound Transit express buses that run outside of Snohomish County are owned by Sound Transit, but driven by Community Transit, a subcontractor for the routes.
The agency is seeking public comment on the proposed changes to its Annual Service Plan — which includes all transit services Sound Transit offers — until Jan. 30. The routes slated for changes include: 510, 512, and 513. A new route, 515, could also be added.
Route 510 currently runs between Everett and Seattle. Under the new plan, it would continue to do so. The route would be reevaluated once the east extension of the light rail track fully opens, which is currently slated for 2025.
The 512 and 513 currently run from Everett to Northgate. Once the Lynnwood Link extension opens, the routes would be shortened to end at the Lynnwood City Center Transit Station. The current 512 and 513 runs are about 40 minutes to Northgate.
“Exact service levels and timing of implementation are subject to change based on future operational capacity, project readiness, and testing,” Sound Transit wrote about the 512 and 513 routes on its website.
Lastly, the 515 route would be a new, temporary route from Lynnwood City Center to downtown Seattle. This would give transit riders the option of taking the train or bus.
The changes would take place once the Lynnwood Link is open, currently estimated for fall 2024. It currently takes around an hour to get from Everett to Seattle by bus. Once the Lynnwood Link opens, it is expected to take around 28 minutes to get from Lynnwood to Westlake by train.
Those interested in providing feedback can do so by emailing comments to servicechanges@soundtransit.org through Jan. 30.
Jordan Hansen: 425-339-3046; jordan.hansen@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @jordyhansen.
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