No Parking? No Problem!
Pictured above: Parking at Lynnwood City Center fills up quickly early in the day as bus riders park and board the Link light rail to Seattle.
Struggling to find parking at the new Lynnwood City Center light rail station? You’re not alone. Parking fills up fast, but there’s a stress-free alternative: the bus.
“Taking the bus to light rail is easier than you think,” said Annmarie Gibson, assistant manager of Customer Care at Community Transit.
Parking frustrations
Many people are excited to try out light rail now that it has arrived in Snohomish County, which also means many people are driving to park at a light rail station.
Lynnwood City Center Station, managed by Sound Transit, has 1,900 parking spaces — 1,670 in its new five-story garage and 226 stalls in nearby surface lots.
“The garage has been full nearly every day. With many spaces blocked off due to construction, there is less parking for light rail riders. People are frustrated,” Gibson said.
Parking spaces also fill up during major athletic events and concerts at venues in Seattle.
Take the bus to connect with light rail
“If you’re going to a big event, the light rail is a great way to get there and can help you save on parking, but don’t count on finding an open parking spot at the station. At the Ride Store, we can help you find the best way to connect by bus,” Gibson said.
Community Transit’s new Ride Store is conveniently located near the bus bays at Lynnwood City Center Station.
There are 15 Community Transit bus routes and four Sound Transit bus routes that serve Lynnwood City Center. It is easy to take a connecting bus from your home area or by driving to a less-used park and ride lot and making that easy connection to Link light rail. Review a list of bus routes to nearby light rail stations to plan a connecting trip that is convenient to you.
Pay with your ORCA card
Riders can pay for bus and light rail fares with an ORCA card. Your ORCA fare transfers when switching between rides. With an ORCA card, pay $2.50 for adult bus fares, $1.25 for discounted fares, and ride free if you’re 18 or younger.
“You can get an ORCA card at the Ride Store. If you’re driving to the Ride Store, look for parking spots reserved for Ride Store customers. We’ve also helped customers find the best options to connect to light rail from their homes and other park & rides.”
Accessibility on the bus
“Our ADA-accessible parking spaces at Lynnwood City Center have also been at capacity, and some are blocked off due to construction,” says Gibson. “At the Ride Store, we can help you find options for connecting to light rail that meet your unique needs,” Gibson said.
All Community Transit buses are accessible, with ramps and wheelchair lifts, low floors, and kneeling features to assist in boarding. Riders who are unable to ride fixed-route buses may qualify for Community Transit’s DART paratransit service.
For people who want to connect to transit by bike, every bus has a bike rack. Bike lockers are also available to rent at select transit centers, including Lynnwood City Center.
Ready to plan your trip and learn more about connecting to light rail? Visit communitytransit.org/lightrail to get started.
