Last updated February 6, 2008 9:38 p.m. PT

More bus service for Eastside commuters

Sales tax money a particular boost for Redmond

Commuters on the Eastside -- particularly in Redmond -- will be getting a lot more bus service this year, Metro officials announced Wednesday.

The increase, funded by the $25 million-a-year Transit Now sales tax increase that voters approved in 2006 -- will put buses on the Eastside for the equivalent of 16,000 more hours, said King County Executive Ron Sims at a news conference at the Redmond Transit Center.

The increased service, which begins Saturday, also will create two new routes. Route 221 will provide all-day service between Redmond's Education Hill and Bellevue's Eastgate area. Route 248 will run between east Redmond and downtown Kirkland.

The expanded service will help move people around the growing Redmond area, Kirkland City Councilwoman Mary-Alice Burleigh said at the news conference.

Other improvements beginning on Saturday, include:

More frequent service through Seattle's South Lake Union area on Routes 8 and 70.

An additional northbound trip on the Route 18 express bus to Ballard.

Two more Route 41 morning trips from the Northgate Transit Center to downtown Seattle.

An additional Route 255 morning trip from the Kirkland Transit Center to downtown Seattle.

Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond said additional service, funded by the initiative, will be announced later this year and will focus on increasing bus service in south and east King County.

P-I reporter Kery Murakami can be reached at 206-448-8131 or kerymurakami@seattlepi.com.

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