Ditch $4-per-gallon gas on Dump the Pump Day
June 20, 2012
NEW — 10 a.m. June 20, 2012
Regional public transit agencies joined forces to encourage commuters to forgo $4-per-gallon gasoline Thursday for Dump the Pump Day.
Sound Transit, King County Metro Transit and other agencies asked commuters to board buses, trains and ferries for the national event. Organizers said more than 560,000 riders already use regional public transportation services.
Metro is reaching out to riders on Facebook to ask how they plan to dump the pump. In addition, 10 people can win a Dump the Pump T-shirt and a regional ORCA card loaded with $10. Organizers plan to select participants in a random drawing June 25.
Commuters can use the American Public Transportation Association’s monthly transit savings calculator to determine the costs of driving versus using public transit. Read more
County accepts applications for Metro Transit board
June 19, 2012
Issaquah residents can apply to a King County board to improve transit services.
Officials need a King County Council District 3 representative for the King County Transit Advisory Commission — a panel formed last year to advise King County Metro Transit staffers, the county executive and County Council, local jurisdictions and local transportation boards.
District 3 stretches from Woodinville to Issaquah, and from Lake Sammamish to the Kittitas County line.
Members include residents, entrepreneurs and other people concerned about transit service in the county. Members must live in King County and at least half of the members represent disabled or elderly riders.
The executive appoints members and, after approval by the council, appointees serve two-year terms.
The county accepts ongoing applications for the board. Learn more about the panel, and find application information, at http://metro.kingcounty.gov/have-a-say/be-an-advisor.html.
Police ask for help to find suspect after violent attack
June 12, 2012
Suspect
Police asked for assistance June 5 to find the suspect in a violent attack against a woman near Southeast Newport Way and Lakemont Boulevard Southeast at the base of Cougar Mountain.
Bellevue investigators said the woman used pepper spray to fend off the attacker and later escaped. Bellevue police responded to the area near the Bellevue-Issaquah city line at 11:30 p.m. June 1.
The 23-year-old woman had just disembarked from a King County Metro Transit bus at a stop near the intersection. Police said the male suspect, another passenger on the bus, followed her as she exited the vehicle. The bus did not have a surveillance camera.
The suspect then grabbed the woman from behind and attempted to drag her from the roadway. Police said she resisted, but the suspect punched her in the face several times and then threw her to the ground.
What to knowInvestigators ask people with information about the Southeast Newport Way and Lakemont Boulevard Southeast attack to call 911 if they see the suspect. |
The woman then retrieved pepper spray from her pocket and sprayed the suspect. The attacker then fled from the scene.
Police later used a dog to search for the suspect, but could not locate him.
The woman and the Metro bus driver described the suspect as a noticeably pale, white male. They described him as mid-20s; about 5 feet, 7 inches tall; with a thin build, shaved head and thin mustache. Police said he wore a white polo shirt with brown horizontal stripes and baggy blue jeans.
Police search for man involved in Southeast Newport Way attack
June 5, 2012
NEW — 2:30 p.m. June 5, 2012
Bellevue police asked for assistance Tuesday to find the suspect in a violent attack against a woman near Southeast Newport Way and Lakemont Boulevard Southeast.
Bellevue Police Department suspect sketch
Investigators said the woman used pepper spray to fend off the attacker and later escaped. Bellevue police responded to the area near the Bellevue-Issaquah city line at 11:30 p.m. June 1.
The 23-year-old woman just disembarked from a King County Metro Transit bus at a stop near the intersection. Police said the male suspect, another passenger on the bus, followed her as she exited the vehicle.
The suspect then grabbed the woman from behind and attempted to drag her from the roadway. Police said she resisted, but the suspected punched her in the face several times and then threw her to the ground.
Expect transit schedule changes on Memorial Day
May 24, 2012
NEW — 2 p.m. May 24, 2012
Issaquah bus riders should expect King County Metro Transit and Sound Transit scheduled changes Monday for Memorial Day.
Metro Transit operates on a Sunday schedule for Memorial Day. The transit agency is also offering special shuttle bus service Saturday through Monday to the Folklife Festival at the Seattle Center from the Northgate Transit Center and South Renton Park & Ride.
For Metro Transit service, if a bus route does not usually operate on Sunday, then no service is offered on Memorial Day.
Metro offices also close on the holiday, including the customer information phone lines. Use the Trip Planner for travel assistance.
King County Council to delve into $490 million arena proposal
May 22, 2012
King County Council members intend to scrutinize a proposal to build a $490 million sports and entertainment arena in Seattle to determine whether financing for the plan is feasible and if arena-related traffic could harm other businesses in the area.
County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, joined by investor Chris Hansen, a San Francisco hedge fund manager, on May 16 announced agreements between the county, city and the ArenaCo investment group to govern financing for a proposed arena near Safeco Field.
Construction could start after a professional basketball franchise is secured for the arena. Moreover, the public investment could drop if backers cannot secure a professional hockey team for the facility.
The amount of public support is capped at $120 million if organizers secure only the basketball franchise. The total could rise to $200 million if a hockey team is added to the equation.
King County Council to scrutinize proposed arena package
May 18, 2012
NEW — 8 a.m. May 18, 2012
King County Council members intend to scrutinize a proposal to build a $490 million sports and entertainment arena in Seattle to determine if financing for the plan is feasible and if arena-related traffic could harm other businesses in the area.
County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, joined by investor Chris Hansen, a San Francisco hedge fund manager, on Tuesday announced agreements between the county, city and the ArenaCo investment group to govern financing for a proposed arena near Safeco Field.
The proposal heads to the County Council and the Seattle City Council for additional study.
The investment group intends to contribute $290 million to construction and more than $500 million to purchase a National Basketball Association franchise. Investors also hope to land a National Hockey League team for the arena.
County transit charge appears on vehicle tab renewals
May 15, 2012
Motorists in the process of renewing vehicle license tabs should notice a $20 charge authorized by the state Legislature and enacted by the King County Council last year.
The fee, billed as a Congestion Reduction Charge, is meant to prevent cuts to King County Metro Transit bus service. The county starts collecting the fee on June renewals sent out by the state Department of Licensing. The charge remains in effect until May 2014.
The renewal forms also include information for motorists to obtain tickets for eight free ride tickets on Metro Transit. The ticket incentive program is designed to build ridership.
Motorists must fill out a request form in order to receive the tickets. The value of the tickets also can be donated to a fund to support low-income residents relying on bus service.
Find information about the ticket incentive program and eligibility requirements at www.kingcounty.gov/metro/tip. Learn about the Congestion Reduction Charge at www.kingcounty.gov/metro/crc.
Officials estimated the charge should generate about $50 million for transit service.
City, businesses celebrate Bike to Work Day on May 18
May 15, 2012
City leaders, local businesses and the Cascade Bicycle Club invite bicyclists to celebrate Bike to Work Day on May 18.
The city is hosting a Salmon Friendly Commute Bike Station at the corner of state Route 900 and Northwest Sammamish Road from 6-10 a.m. Bicyclists can load up on snacks and water bottles to help fuel their trips.
Pacific Bicycle Co., a Sammamish bike shop, also plans to be on hand to do small repairs and answer questions.
Then, REI, Costco and the city plan to host a barbecue for bicyclists at Lake Sammamish State Park’s rotunda picnic area from 4-6 p.m.
May is National Bike Month.
Bicyclists using King County Metro Transit and Sound Transit ride free through May 18. The offer applies to any Metro Transit bus or ST Express bus operated by Metro Transit, including routes 554, 555 and 556 from Issaquah.
Buses offer free rides for bicyclists during National Bike Month
May 8, 2012
May is National Bike Month, and to mark the occasion, bicyclists loading a bike onto local buses can ride for free.
Bicyclists using King County Metro Transit and Sound Transit ride free from May 14-18.
The offer applies to any Metro Transit bus or ST Express bus operated by Metro Transit, including routes 554, 555 and 556 from Issaquah.
Each bus has three spaces on a bike rack available on a first-come, first-served basis.
If the bus’ bike rack is full, cyclists should be prepared to wait for the next bus or consider leaving the bike parked in a bike rack at a transit facility.
Many Metro Transit and Sound Transit facilities also offer bike lockers.
