On Monday, Oct 24, King County Metro published the initial proposal for the September 2012 service change, which includes the implementation of the RapidRide C and D lines.

Leading up to the September 2012 introduction of the RapidRide, Metro Transit expects a number of modifications to existing transit service in the Ballard area. 

The congestion reduction charge will keep Northwest Seattle's transit whole for the next two years but Metro will continue the new service implementation plan, announced Ashley DeForest, Community Relations Planner at King County DOT, at the October Ballard District Council Meeting.

Service will change to align routes with the RapidRide routes and remove any duplicate routes.

For many Ballardites, the concern is around the RapidRide D line which connects Ballard to downtown along 15th Avenue NW.

It was rumored that the D line would replace the 15 Express and actually increase travel time instead of shorten it.

“It’s a rumor that’s probably going to be correct,” DeForest said. "But at most the D link would only add 5 minutes to the travel time to get downtown."

The New RapidRide D Line would connect Crown Hill and downtown Seattle via Ballard, Interbay, and Uptown, replacing the local and express Route 15.

Metro says the new service hours and facilities are expected to speed service and make it more reliable, attracting higher ridership.

Ridership on 15th Avenue NW north of the Ballard Bridge is very high and the D line will provide more frequent service with a bus arriving every 10 minutes at peak time, 15 minutes on non-peak times and weekends.

Route 18 and Route 18 express will be revised and trip will be added.
The proposed revision would extend Route 18 from Crown Hill to Northgate via North Seattle Community College, replacing Route 5 and Route 75.

South of downtown Ballard, Route 18 would serve Fremont and South Lake Union by replacing Route 17 and Route 46.

The proposed changed call for more frequent service for Route 18 during both peak and non-peak periods.

The 18 Express would be revised to serve Blue Ridge as well.

The restructuring could mean bad news for Seaview Avenue NW as Route 46 will be replaced and no service would be provided on Seaview Avenue NW.

Metro states that ridership along Seaview Avenue NW does not meet Metro's guidelines for continues service.

The revised route 18, revised Route 31, new Route 32, and Route 44 will connect Ballard to Fremont and the University District.

"For most instances [the new service implementation plan] is an improvement but there are a few where it may not be," DeForest admitted.

Metro’s outreach effort titled “Have a Say” is available online now and enables residents to get involved and learn more about the plans, projects, and initiatives that are shaping Metro's future.

Additionally, there are multiple meetings coming up regarding the transit changes:

Nov 2, Central Library, 1000 4th Ave, noon – 2:00 p.m.
Nov 3, Adams Elementary School, 6110 28th Ave NW, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Nov 7, Catharine Blaine Elementary, 2550 34th Ave W, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Nov 14, Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N 85th St, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

For more information, visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/metro/haveasay.