Metro introduces RapidRide line on October 2

Saturday, October 2, King County Metro introduces the first of its six RapidRide lines, the "A" line, along with other service changes. 

Shoreline's RapidRide line "E," to replace the present route 358 from Aurora Village to downtown Seattle, is slated to open in 2013 (see Metro webpage).

RapidRide is Metro's version of Bus Rapid Transit and varies from Community Transit's Swift Bus Rapid Transit in that some stations don’t have an ORCA card reader, and there are no ticket vending machines. Where there's no ORCA card reader, or if you are paying with cash or tickets, you must enter through the front door. Riders paying with cash or tickets will be issued a transfer as their proof of payment. 

The "A" line replaces route 174 between the Federal Way Transit Center and Tukwila International Boulevard Link light rail station and will provide 15-minute service most of the day, with 10-minute service during peak commute periods. On Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 2 and 3, all trips will be free on the "A" Line.

Routing and schedule changes, including some deleted trips, are to start on October 2 as well, affecting Shoreline routes 242, 304, 331, 342, 345, and 346. Bus riders should check the new, orange timetables or use the online Trip Planner with a date on or after October 2 to see how they might be affected.

--Brian Doennebrink