New Metro shuttle service coming to Issaquah Highlands

Published 10:43 am Monday, February 2, 2015

King County Metro will offer customized shuttle service to commuters in the Issaquah Highlands beginning Feb. 16. The shuttle also will serve Snoqualmie Valley.

Through a contract with Hopelink, the Metro shuttle — which will be listed as Route 628 once it starts — will offer trips each weekday between the park-and-rides in North Bend and Issaquah Highlands. Riders in the Issaquah Highlands will be able to call ahead to schedule off-route pickups and drop-offs.

The service is part of an effort to provide alternatives to fixed bus routes—including shuttles, rideshares, community vans and bicycles—to increase the number of transit options in King County.

The Metropolitan King County Council included $12 million in the 2015-2016 budget to fund the alternative services program. It will initially focus on communities where bus service was most significantly reduced in September due to declining revenue.

Shuttles will operate from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Morning service will operate westbound from North Bend, Snoqualmie, Snoqualmie Ridge and Issaquah Highlands (including the flexible service area in Issaquah Highlands), and then operate as an express route on Interstate 90 from Issaquah Highlands to North Bend.

Afternoon service will operate eastbound from Issaquah Highlands Park-and-Ride and flexible service area to Snoqualmie Ridge, Snoqualmie, North Bend, and then operate as express service on Interstate 90 from North Bend to Issaquah Highlands.

Standard weekday peak/off-peak fares will be charged.

The shuttle will operate every 30 minutes during peak periods.