By Theresa Goffredo
Herald Writer
MARYSVILLE — Daniel Martin could be the next poster child for Community Transit. At the least, he’s a sophisticated Forrest Gump of the commuting world.
Martin, 48, considers life a journey. And every business day, Martin’s journey to work begins with a mile bike ride from his home in Marysville to the bus stop, and then a soothing ride on the bus to his job at Everett Naval Station.
After work, Martin repeats the journey in reverse.
And if it takes a little longer to get the journey accomplished, Martin just takes it in stride.
"When you ride the bus, think of patience," Martin said. "Think about how long it took you to go to work on the bus, and how much longer it would have taken if you took your car."
On Monday, state Department of Transportation officials hope that commuters and motorists maintain their patience when the Steamboat Slough bridge on Highway 529 closes to northbound traffic for a scheduled 25 days.
Commuters heading out of Everett to Marysville and other northbound destinations will be diverted to I-5. During the closure, there will be no traffic control by Washington State Patrol troopers, so drivers will have to rely on detour signs and warning lights.
The Steamboat Slough bridge is being closed for $8 million in repairs. That amount includes mechanical repairs to the Ebey Slough bridge next June.
The Steamboat Slough closure is expected to last until Sept. 7. During that time, delays are expected when the 12,000 or so motorists who normally use Steamboat every day are diverted to I-5.
And that closure will leave most Everett-to-Marysville commuters who use the bike-and-bus method needing an extra supply of patience.
Community Transit buses have bike racks, but only have room for two bikes on each bus. So with the bridge closure and the summer weather, transit officials are predicting more people will need to use the bus to haul their bikes from Everett to Marysville, because it’s illegal for bikers to ride on I-5 within city limits.
"This is the time of year where lots of people are riding their bikes," said Kristin Kinnamon, public information coordinator for Community Transit. "So people trying to get on with their bikes will increase."
In fact, the 210 bus route, which goes from Everett to Marysville to Smokey Point, is the second most popular route for transit riders. The first is the 610 route from Everett to Lynnwood.
The average number of riders on the 210 is 30 people an hour, which translated into 33,980 people for the month of May. As of yet, Community Transit hasn’t begun counting the number of people who use transit bus bike racks, which were installed in 1997.
"We like getting passengers any way we can, that’s why we put bike racks on the buses," Kinnamon said. "But we’re concerned about the excess of bikes during this closing. So they might have to be patient."
But patience might just be Martin’s middle name. And even if he has to wait a little longer for an available bus to take him and his bicycle home, no problem.
"Look at that bus," Martin said, pointing to a bus with two bikes attached to its front while he waited at the bus station in downtown Everett. "The next bus will be here in 30 minutes, so I’ll wait.
"Part of the story is patience."
Martin said he began his bike-to-work program about six months ago and now is a philosophical convert.
"If every person would get out of their car, we would all save time and save pollution," Martin said. "And that would leave us with more natural resources.
"All things happen for a reason," Martin said.
You can call Herald Writer Theresa Goffredo at 425-339-3097
or send e-mail to goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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