King County Metro in Washington state will receive $79.7 million to support a bus rapid transit line that will provide service for cities south of Seattle.
The grant for the RapidRide I Line that will feature “green” hybrid electric buses is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program that helps communities with transformational transit projects. The CIG program is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“Americans depend on fast, affordable, and safe transportation options to get to work, pursue their education, and access groceries and medical services, and so much more,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “Bus rapid transit is the fastest-growing transit mode for a good reason, and the Biden-Harris Administration’s $79.7 million investment will build out King County’s RapidRide I Line to provide faster, more efficient service that benefits the entire region.”
The RapidRide I Line is a 17-mile route that will have 41 new stations that include shelters, lighting and real-time arrival information. Officials said the line will improve travel times and rider experience by providing nearly two miles of exclusive bus-only lanes and transit signal priority. The line will also include off-board fare payment, all-door boarding and weekday service every 10 to 15 minutes during the day.
“King County has grown by nearly 20 percent since 2010, increasing the need for high-capacity transit. The RapidRide I Line will provide a cleaner, faster ride for thousands of riders in Southern King County, including in areas of the county with some of the highest proportions of low-income and minority residents,” FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool said. “We are pleased to continue our partnership with King County Metro to improve transit connections across the region, as communities across the country, such as King County, continue to benefit from America’s largest-ever investment in high-quality public transportation.”