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This chart is from Metro’s East Link connectivity program
Link Light Rail Train at South Bellevue Station
I’m overdue to discuss some good news. The 30-40% of Renton residents that live in certain parts of the Renton Highlands will find they have improved access to Link Light Rail starting next year. The Metro 111 busses that currently provide 5-day-per-week peak-hour service to Seattle are going to be rescheduled to provide 7-day-per-week all-day access to the South Bellevue Link Light Rail Station. In addition to allowing people on any daytime schedule to use this service, this change will make the Metro 111 useful for passengers heading up the Eastside to Bellevue and Redmond.
And for those commuting to North Seattle or Lynnwood there is another perk; the trains that cross the lake from Bellevue will continue north in Seattle, without requiring a transfer.
The new Metro 111 route went through an extensive multi-year review process, along with many other Metro route adjustments; the changes received their final approval by King County Council in March of this year.
The Metro 111 will provide express service from Renton Highlands to the South Bellevue Light Rail Station
The changes will go into effect when the Link Light Rail cross-lake connection and the I-405 new express lanes are completed, sometime in 2026.
My extended family is certainly excited about this change. For the first time in several decades of paying for Sound Transit, we will have ready access to its service from our homes in Renton Highlands.
For those who wish to learn more, this Seattle Transit Blog article provides a nice write-up on all the changes in work for Metro Bus /Light-Rail connections on the eastside, and the process that brought them about.
A couple years after that (in 2028 or 2029), South Renton and North Kennydale Residents will find they get good connectivity from the Sound Transit Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service being implemented along the I-405 corridor. Unfortunately, the expanded parking for the north and south Renton BRT stops has been delayed for another ten years. But the BRT busses will be rolling for those that can find parking, walk, bike, or get dropped off at the Renton BRT stations.
I’ve written many articles regarding Renton’s efforts to obtain equitable access to Sound Transit, and you can read them by clicking here.
My wife Cathy on the Link Light Rail between Bellevue and Redmond.
“Unfortunately, the expanded parking for the north and south Renton BRT stops has been delayed for another ten years.”
Because Ed Prince gave up Renton’s money.
What are you talking about?
As I understand it, Ed sits on the Sound Transit council and voted to give away Renton’s small snare.
share.
Great news. But we need to push hard for Light Rail in ST4.
We should get a Southport to SLU light rail, alternating with Southport to UW via Montlake/Judkins Park.
Then in addition to that, Stride service should be complemented (NOT replaced) with Link from SeaTac airport to Bothell via Renton/Bellevue/Kirkland maybe in ST5.
Then we need local bus service to complement this.
Renton Highlands can continue to have 111 operate to South Bellevue and serve the NE 44th Stride station for transfers.
We also need a bus line for South Renton. Maple Valley through Fairwood/Benson Hill into Renton TC to connect to transit, as well as a Renton to Issaquah line via Renton Highlands. This bus would operate frequently and time for minimum transfer time to other transit.
Easier to get a 16-kn mono-hull 250-passengercommuter boat to operate Southport to Montlake, SLU, and Ballard via Mercer Island and the east channel! That was the plan a few years back! What happened there?!