The previous post proposed a South Lake Union type streetcar
system for promoting Bel-Red development rather than East Link light rail. This proposal would presumably
end any light rail extensions to Overlake area and beyond, particularly the
Microsoft campus. However,
Sound Transit claims that a large number of Seattle residents would use East
Link to reach Microsoft is another one of their myths.
Most Microsoft employees who commute across Lake Washington
live north of the city center and commute across 520. Those who wished to ride East Link when (and if) it is
completed in 2023 would probably have to ride a bus to the University Station (no parking) or a station on the planned
extension to Northgate or in downtown Seattle. East Link rides
from any of these locations would involve stops in Seattle (6), Mercer Island
(1), and Bellevue (7) before reaching the Overlake T/C. Presumably Microsoft would provide
shuttle service to the respective campuses.
BRT service across 520 offers a far better option. During the peak commute hours express
bus routes could provide direct connections between the University Light Rail
station and specific Microsoft locations as well as current Bellevue T/C and
eventual hospital station. Again,
riders would have to get to the University station either by bus or from other
light rail stations. However, the
direct connection to close to their final destination would be far faster.
The other advantage is that the BRT return routes could
provide the Bellevue T/C and several other eastside P&Rs lot with direct
connections to the University Station for UW access and light rail connections
with downtown Seattle. Residents
from throughout the eastside could benefit. In the afternoon the routes would be reversed. Conventional bus routes would still be
maintained as needed.
This type of BRT service is well suited for the 520 corridor
where the number of inbound and outbound commuters is relatively well
balanced. The number of buses needed
may require limiting HOV traffic to 3+ riders during peak commute hours. (Its possible but unlikely all HOV traffic would be relegated to other two lanes during peak commute)
The only impediment to initiating BRT service across 520 when rebuilt is the lack of space near the Husky Stadium station for buses to drop-off and pick-up riders. Typical of Sound Transit incompetence, their current stadium station plans make no provisions for this feature. They apparently let University objections or their desire to eventually extend light rail across 520 outweigh their responsibility to commuters.
The only impediment to initiating BRT service across 520 when rebuilt is the lack of space near the Husky Stadium station for buses to drop-off and pick-up riders. Typical of Sound Transit incompetence, their current stadium station plans make no provisions for this feature. They apparently let University objections or their desire to eventually extend light rail across 520 outweigh their responsibility to commuters.
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