Vehicles return to service for nonprofit organizations
November 20, 2012
Leaders donated used vehicles from the King County Metro Transit vanpool fleet to provide transportation assistance to local governments, community programs, seniors and youths.
King County Council members authorized the donation. The vans served in the Metro Transit vanpool fleet for at least six years and reached the end of their service life.
“Serving the mobility needs of those too young and too old to drive, as well as those with health challenges, is an important service for King County to provide,” Councilwoman Kathy Lambert, Issaquah’s representative, said in a statement.
Used vanpool vehicles return to service for nonprofit organizations
September 19, 2012
NEW — 8 a.m. Sept. 18, 2012
Leaders donated used vehicles from the King County Metro Transit vanpool fleet Monday to provide transportation assistance to local governments, community programs, seniors and youths.
King County Council members authorized the donation. The vans served in the Metro Transit vanpool fleet for at least six years and reached the end of service life.
“Serving the mobility needs of those too young and too old to drive, as well as those with health challenges, is an important service for King County to provide,” Councilwoman Kathy Lambert — Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee chairwoman and the Issaquah representative — said in a statement. “Using our retired vanpool vans for these important transportation needs is an efficient way of serving those who do not have other options.”
Issaquah man faces charges in Metro Transit vanpool crash
January 18, 2011
Prosecutors charged a 27-year-old Issaquah emergency medical technician for smashing a pickup into a King County Metro Transit Rideshare van along Interstate 90 in September.
The early morning crash injured the vanpool passengers and snarled the commute near Issaquah for hours, as emergency crews cut trapped people from the crumpled van.
Douglas Burt Henderson faces a vehicular assault charge for the Sept. 24 incident. Read more
Issaquah man faces charges in Metro vanpool crash
January 4, 2011
NEW — 5 p.m. Jan. 4, 2011
Prosecutors charged a 27-year-old Issaquah man Tuesday for a September crash along Interstate 90.
The crash injured seven people in a King County Metro Transit Rideshare van and caused traffic snarls during the Sept. 24 morning commute.
Douglas Burt Henderson faces two counts of vehicular assault for the incident.
Washington State Patrol investigators said Henderson had been traveling illegally in the high-occupancy vehicle lane near Issaquah at the time of the crash.
Investigators said Henderson rear-ended the van, a Chevrolet Uplander, in the HOV lane at 5:35 a.m. Sept. 24.
County donates retired vans to nonprofits
November 23, 2010
King County has donated 27 retired Metro vans to help transport residents to medical appointments and field trips. The retired vehicles stand to benefit senior citizens, young adults, community programs and local governments.
King County Council members OK’d the donation in a unanimous decision Sept. 7. Issaquah-area Councilwoman Kathy Lambert lauded the donation.
“As the county makes major funding cuts for human services, these retired vans are one way we still can support nonprofit organizations that meet the needs of some of our most vulnerable citizens,” she said in a statement. “I am pleased that these vans will continue to be put to good uses.”
The retired vans had reached their end of service after at least six years as part of the vanpool fleet. The county then donates and sells the surplus vehicles.
County officials started donating surplus vans to local nonprofits in 1995. The county last donated 27 retired Metro vans in December.
City announces sites for electric vehicle charging stations
October 14, 2010
NEW — 8 a.m. Oct. 14, 2010
The city plans to install a pair of charging stations at City Hall Northwest soon, as part of a regional push to create a network of charging stops to juice up electric vehicles.
The stations lay the groundwork for all-electric vehicles to be used in commuter vanpools traveling to and from Issaquah.
City staffers and other commuters plan to use the King County Metro Transit vanpools. The transit agency is due to provide the vehicles by the early next year.
The effort is funded through a U.S. Department of Energy petroleum-reduction grant. The agency awarded the grant to the Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition; Issaquah is a coalition member.
DUI crash snarls traffic, injures commuters
September 28, 2010
State troopers said a suspected drunken driver caused a crash — and a mileslong traffic backup during the Sept. 24 morning commute — on Interstate 90 near Issaquah.
The crash injured the seven occupants of a King County Metro Transit Rideshare van traveling from Redmond to Snoqualmie.
Washington State Patrol investigators said the suspect, 26-year-old Issaquah resident Douglas Henderson, rear-ended the van, a Chevrolet Uplander, in the high-occupancy vehicle lane at 5:35 a.m.
The impact pushed the Uplander from the right side of the interstate near West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast. The vehicle then rolled into a ditch.
Metro offers rewards for carpooling commuters
September 12, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. Sept. 12, 2010
King County commuters can receive rewards for signing up for a carpool or vanpool by Sept. 19.
RideshareOnline.com helps connects commuters. The interactive ride-matching service helps commuters find existing carpools or vanpools anywhere along their route. Or, users can set up a new route.
The service has recently expanded to include additional features. Commuters can use a new calendar feature to track trips, estimate cash savings and greenhouse gas reductions, and earn rewards.
King County donates retired vans to nonprofits
September 11, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. Sept. 11, 2010
King County has donated 27 retired Metro vans to help transport residents to medical appointments and field trips. The retired vehicles stand to benefit senior citizens, young adults, community programs and local governments.
King County Council members OK’d the donation in a unanimous decision Tuesday. Issaquah-area Councilwoman Kathy Lambert lauded the donation.
Issaquah sustainability ‘report card’ indicates successes, shortfalls
September 2, 2010
NEW — 10 a.m. Sept. 2, 2010
The inaugural sustainability “report card” from the city touted Costco carpools, the Sustainable Issaquah community garden and affordable-housing construction in the Issaquah Highlands as signs of “green” progress.
The city released the report Wednesday. City staffers collected data to answer the question: How sustainable are we?
“The report shows us many positive signs — including an increase in Issaquah’s natural open spaces,” Mayor Ava Frisinger said. “Commuters are also making fewer drive-alone trips, volunteerism is strong and participation in the arts is increasing.”
