While the majority of bus routes are running on a reduced schedule, King County Metro has added a few extra buses to six routes that are high-demand, including the RapidRide D-Line.
Metro has been enforcing maximum capacity limits since April 22, lowering the maximum capacity to 12 passengers on 40-foot buses, while a maximum of 18 are allowed on 60-foot buses. The added buses will help alleviate routes where coaches are either reaching capacity or passing up customers to maintain social distancing guidelines.
There will be about 15 additional buses on the following routes: 7, 36, 180, and the RapidRide A-, D-, and E-Lines. The buses have been added on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., as that period has the highest ridership and most reports of pass-ups, according to Metro.
Metro has also started rolling out new seat signs that are intended to keep distance between riders. The signs (below) will feature a no-sitting symbol and large-font text to alert all riders.
The signs will be placed on the seatbacks, which Metro says will still allow family members to sit near one another. You can expect the signs to roll out in the next two weeks on Metro buses, water taxis, the Seattle streetcars, and Sound Transit buses and light rail.
Buses remain free for all riders through May 31. To check your route’s current reduced schedule, click here.