News / Published on Jul 2, 2021

Six-year plan forecasts 30% service increase

Expansion of Swift bus rapid transit network and connections to light rail will provide more transit options for customers

Snohomish County, Wash. - Due to a stronger-than-expected local economy, Community Transit forecasts a 30% increase in transit service over the next six years. The agency’s Draft 2021-2026 Transit Development Plan (TDP) calls for expanding the Swift bus rapid transit network, connecting commuter bus routes to light rail in 2021 and 2024, and increasing bus frequency and daily service hours to provide better access and more transit options in and around Snohomish County.

The TDP is a state-mandated report that forecasts revenue and service levels for the next six years and is updated every year. Last year’s TDP outlined “slow recovery” and “rapid recovery” revenue scenarios based on economic uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s plan forecasts revenue that exceeds the “rapid recovery” scenario, laying the groundwork for added transit service. In addition, one-time federal stimulus funds allow Community Transit to offset operating costs and boost its capital infrastructure investments.

 

The Draft 2021-2026 TDP is available for review online at www.communitytransit.org/TDP; public comment is welcome through August 5.

 

Service increases

The draft TDP outlines these priorities for service increases:

  • Redesigning the commuter bus network to serve Lynnwood City Center Station and Mountlake Terrace Station when light rail opens in 2024
  • Implementing the new Swift Orange Line and Swift Blue Line expansion, which will connect to light rail in Lynnwood and Shoreline, respectively Restructuring local routes within the Highway 527 corridor to better connect the Swift Green Line with surrounding neighborhoods
  • Restructuring local routes in Lynnwood to better complement the Swift Orange Line and provide more connections between Swift and surrounding neighborhoods
  • Providing improvements to local route frequency and daily service hours, as well as possible new service in North and East Snohomish County
  • Public outreach will begin this fall to solicit input for many of these service changes.

Capital investments

The draft TDP forecasts that incoming revenue and one-time federal stimulus funding will allow capital infrastructure investment in these areas:

  • Facility base expansion to support increased service
  • Swift bus rapid transit network buildout (Orange, Blue and Gold lines)
  • Ongoing fleet replacement and facility preservation
  • Zero-emission vehicles and supporting infrastructure
  • Bus stop improvements
  • Innovation service models such as microtransit

Draft TDP review and public comment

The Draft 2021-2026 Transit Development Plan is available for public comment through August 5. The plan is online at www.communitytransit.org/TDP.

 

Comments can be sent several ways:

 

A public hearing before the Community Transit Board of Directors will take place at 3 p.m., Thursday, August 5. Please visit www.communitytransit.org/publiccomment for details on how to participate in this meeting. For more information or to inquire about special needs arrangements, call (425) 353-7433 .

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, the Swift Green Line between Canyon Park/Bothell and Boeing/Paine Field, and the new Swift Orange Line coming to Mill Creek and Lynnwood in 2024.

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Written by Community Transit
Published on Jul 2, 2021