CT expands service beginning Feb. 2

Community Transit’s largest service expansion in more than 10 years will take effect Feb. 2. Snohomish County bus riders will see local service double in many areas, with extended hours, more frequent buses, and more direct service to popular destinations. Approximately half of the agency’s local routes will be restructured and given new numbers.

The expansion was made possible by a three-tenths of a cent per dollar sales tax increase approved by transit district voters in September 2001.

This service expansion, which focuses on north and south county communities, will be followed by a further expansion of transit service in September 2003 in east Snohomish County. No fare increases are planned for 2003.

Highlights of the service expansion include:

• Six bus routes will serve the Alderwood Mall area, with new service to the businesses east of Interstate 5 as well. There will be direct service to the mall area from Mill Creek, Mukilteo, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Marysville, Arlington, Everett and Shoreline.

• Edmonds Community College will have 60 percent more service, with new direct trips from Mill Creek and Edmonds.

• A popular Edmonds commuter route to Seattle from Seaview will be restored. More Seattle commuter service will also be added at Ash Way Park &Ride.

• A new route will provide express service between south and north county, linking Lynnwood with Everett, Marysville and Arlington.

• Service on Highway 99 will continue until 1 a.m., providing connections to late-night King County Metro buses. Many other Community Transit routes will extend service until after 11 p.m.

Community Transit also will reduce some local service within the city of Everett, which is served by its own transit agency, in order to add significant new service within its transit district. Community Transit will still provide frequent service throughout the day to Everett Station as well as morning and afternoon commuter trips along city streets.

Everett Transit is adding bus service within the city, and the two agencies are working to coordinate the changes to provide for convenient connections.

Paratransit service for people with disabilities, provided by Community Transit’s Dial-A-Ride (DART) service, will expand along with the bus routes. In Everett, DART service will be continued to important downtown locations like the Puget Sound Kidney Center and the county courthouse.

“We’ve conducted a huge outreach effort to help our riders understand the changes and improvements,” said Community Transit board chair Gary Nelson. “We also want our taxpayers to know that we are using their money wisely to provide transportation choices in Snohomish County.”