The RapidRide I Line<\/a> will serve more than 6,000 riders who use Routes 169 and 180, two of the busiest Metro routes in South King County. The new line will connect transit centers in Auburn, Kent and Renton, including Sounder train stations in Auburn and Kent.<\/p>\n“It will serve Valley Medical Center (in Renton), a lot of housing and a lot of employment,” McKnight said. “It’s a very transit-rich corridor. It serves a lot of riders which is why it was considered for further investment.”<\/p>\n
Riders will be able to use the route to transfer to the RapidRide F Line that connects Renton, Tukwila and Burien, including the Tukwila light rail station.<\/p>\n
The $120 million capital project will include station amenities such as larger roofs and better lighting, new transit lanes, sidewalks and bike lanes. Metro will apply next year for a Federal Transit Administration grant to fund up to half of the project. King County will supply matching funds and the state Department of Transportation recently awarded an $8 million grant to Kent for RapidRide street improvements.<\/p>\n
RapidRide buses send signals to traffic lights, so green lights stay green longer or red lights switch to green faster.<\/p>\n
“They have all-door boarding that allows buses to move more quickly without waiting for everybody to file through the front door,” said Hannah McIntosh, RapidRide program director, at the council workshop.<\/p>\n
Metro operates RapidRide on Kent’s West Hill along Pacific Highway South, part of the A Line that connects the Federal Way Transit Center and the Tukwila light rail station.<\/p>\n
Councilmember Dennis Higgins looks forward to the new RapidRide extension.<\/p>\n
“This is the East Hill’s rapid transit,” Higgins said. “In our lifetimes, we will not get light rail or a train running up there, this is East Hill’s rapid transit from Auburn to Kent and Renton, so it’s really important we get it right.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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