If you plan to ride the bus next week, you may need to add some extra time to your travel plans — your route may be on “reduced service” schedule.
King County Metro Transit says that buses will run on a reduced schedule beginning Friday, Dec. 24, which includes the week after Christmas. Several routes that serve the University District have fewer trips between Monday, Dec. 20 and Friday, Dec. 31 because the University of Washington is not in session. Check your routes here.
Metro has planned reductions for holiday periods where there has historically been 20-40 percent fewer weekday riders. On several of the upcoming legal holidays, Metro will use a Sunday schedule.
Sunday schedules will be used on the following holidays:
• Saturday, Dec. 25 – Christmas
• Saturday, Jan. 1 – New Year’s DayThe reduced weekday schedule will be in effect on:
• Friday, Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve
• Monday-Friday, Dec. 27-31 – winter holiday period, including New Year’s Eve
• Monday, Jan. 17 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
On days with reduced weekday schedules, some commuter and school-oriented routes do not operate, and other routes will have individual trips canceled. Many routes will have no changes.
This schedule is being used on 10 days in 2010, and Metro estimates it saves about $1 million each year. Find a complete list of routes that are canceled or have trip cancellations on these days on Metro Online’s holiday page.
Remember also that Metro will ring in the new year with higher fares. Adult Metro riders will see a 25-cent increase; youth fares will remain unchanged. Fares for other Metro products, such as passes and ticketbooks, also increase. Also, all-day passes and family fares will no longer be available on weekends and holidays.
Metro explains:
This fare increase, which was adopted by the King County Council in 2009, is one of several approaches Metro is using to help ease the effects of a severe budget shortfall. In addition to fares, Metro is pursuing a number of other actions to deal with the shortfall including efficiencies and staff reductions.
Visit Metro Online for more information about fares and schedules, or call the Customer Information Office at (206) 553-3000.
