New Bus Stops on Cathcart Way Connect Snohomish High Schools

Transit-County partnership gives local residents and students access to bus service

Snohomish County, Wash. – You can call it the Panther-Grizzly Line, or the SHS-GPHS Express. This week, new bus stops opened on Cathcart Way and Puget Park Drive, a short walk from Glacier Peak High School and Little Cedars Elementary School in south Snohomish.

The bus stops are served by Community Transit Route 109, which operates between the Ash Way Park & Ride in north Lynnwood and the Lake Stevens Transit Center. The route travels on Cathcart Way and Highway 9 then goes right through the heart of downtown Snohomish, including a stop at Snohomish High School on Avenue D. 

Now, Snohomish students and families will have a public transit connection for sports practices, band concerts and other events at the district’s two high schools. Route 109 runs hourly seven days a week, and every 30 minutes during weekday peak hours.

“We’re very excited for this new connection for students, staff and families,” said Kristin Foley, Snohomish School District Communications Director. “These stops will provide much appreciated options for those near our Glacier Peak High School campus who want to access educational and recreational opportunities within the City of Snohomish.”

A second pair of new bus stops is also being added about a mile west on Cathcart Way and Snohomish-Cascade Drive. All four bus stops provide easy access to Willis Tucker Park.

The new stops have been anticipated since Route 109 started service in 2016. Because of the 45 mph speed limit and numerous curves on the road, Snohomish County wanted to create bus pullouts for buses to be safely stopped off the road when vehicles came around the turns. That took extra time and planning.

“This is a great example of two agencies collaborating for improved customer service,” said Community Transit CEO Emmett Heath.

“As a former tuba player in the marching band, I can say first-hand the benefits this will have for our students and their families,” said Dave Somers, Snohomish County Executive. “Our partnership with Community Transit allows us to move more people, more safely while helping relieve some congestion.”

“Providing this type of service along a major east-west corridor is an important way to ensure our residents have reliable access to work, educational and recreational opportunities throughout the county,” said County Councilmember Stephanie Wright, who also serves as Past Chair of the Community Transit Board of Directors.

“Thank you to Community Transit for partnering to add bus stops connecting two major high schools,” said Snohomish County Council Vice Chair and Community Transit Board Member Terry Ryan.  

Community Transit is responsible for providing bus and paratransit service, vanpool and alternative commute options in Snohomish County. The agency is building a network of Swift bus rapid transit lines with Swift Blue Line along Highway 99 and the Swift Green Line between Canyon Park/Bothell and Boeing/Paine Field coming in 2019.