King County Metro to cut service this fall

KING COUNTY, Wash. — King County Metro announced Thursday that it plans to cut services for the fall, which means routes will be affected. Those changes are planned for September.

The transit agency said the reductions are due to reduced revenue in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak.

“The most recent projections estimate an unprecedented loss in sales tax revenue and farebox collections totaling $280 million in 2020, and up to $615 million 2020-2022,” Metro reported.

The agency said its operations in September will be about 85% of pre-COVID levels, providing 11,000 weekday trips.

“Service will focus primarily on a network of all-day routes throughout King County, including preserving frequent service on Metro’s busiest routes, while restoring peak service sufficient to meet returning demand to the extent possible given the current financial challenges.”

The agency said evening, night and weekend service will be “significantly” reduced.

On June 22, Metro said it will restore some transit service as more businesses reopen and restrictions are lifted.

Click here to see what routes are facing revisions in September.

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