Trailhead Direct Bus Starts Up April 21
An expanded service including more trailhead and pick-up locations is coming to Trailhead Direct for the 2018 season.
The highly successful Trailhead Direct is back is business for the 2018 season, returning with an expanded service including more trailhead and pick-up locations.
The Trailhead Direct pilot program kicked off last year as a joint effort between King County Metro and King County Parks Department and help of nonprofit partners like WTA to reduce vehicle congestion at popular trailheads in the Issaquah Alps. It was a step towards ensuring more equitable access and public transportation to trails as the demand for hiking opportunities around Seattle, Issaquah and North Bend continue to grow.
King County's Trailhead Direct will be back for its second summer. Photo by Keiko Betcher.
Last year, during the shortened season of August-September, about 900 hikers used the service, averaging around 40 riders per day. This season the service will return with bigger and better routes to reach even more hikers—easing congestion at trailheads and helping car-free hikers make it out on trail.
Find the full schedule for each route on the Trailhead Direct website.
Issaquah Alps
Starting on Saturday, April 21, the Issaquah Alps shuttle will pick up riders at the Mount Baker Transit Center, Eastgate Freeway Station and the Issaquah Transit Center, (all of which have plenty of parking spaces and are a bus ride away from downtown Seattle) and carry hikers between popular trailheads like Margaret’s Way, Poo Poo Point, the High School Trail and East Sunset Way.
Mount Si/Mount Teneriffe
A new route to Mount Si and Mount Teneriffe will begin on Saturday, May 19. The shuttle will pick hikers up from the Capitol Hill Link Light Rail Station, Eastgate Freeway Station and the North Bend Park & Ride and shuttle between the Mount Si and Mount Teneriffe trailheads.
Mailbox Route - Coming Soon
In early summer, an additional Trailhead Direct service will run from a free parking lot in North Bend to the very popular Mailbox Peak trail.
The Details
- The 2018 shuttles will run every 30 minutes on weekends and designated holidays.
- Shuttles will hold between 19 or 27 passengers, and have space for two bicycles.
- The fare is $2.50 for adults (until July, when Metro fares increase to a flat rate of $2.75), $1.50 for youth (6-18), $1 for Regional Reduced Fare Permit cardholders and children may ride for free.
- ORCA cards, cash, and Transit Go Mobile tickets will all be accepted.
Comments
AdamKline on Trailhead Direct Bus Starts Up April 21
Dogs okay? I ain't goin nowhere without my Lucy.
Posted by:
AdamKline on Apr 19, 2018 05:37 PM
Xerox majestic on Trailhead Direct Bus Starts Up April 21
IS there any way to book a seat, or a few. I'm concerned that we'll roll up to the bus stop & there is a queue & we'll have to wait foir a few busses to go. Also getting back with grumpy kids?
Posted by:
Xerox majestic on Apr 26, 2018 09:31 AM
Kim Brown on Trailhead Direct Bus Starts Up April 21
AdamKline, yes, dogs are allowed per King Co's FAQ on the shuttle: https://kingcountyparks.org/2017/08/18/trailhead-direct-faqs/
Posted by:
Kim Brown on May 10, 2018 11:35 AM
Illexphoto on Trailhead Direct Bus Starts Up April 21
Just FYI: I used this service to access Mount Teneriffe on Sunday (5/27), and because it also goes to Mt. Si and it was a nice day, it was full when it got to my stop (Eastgate) at 8:57. I made my way into the Capitol Hill link station and made it on at 10:30, but my bus was also full, and rejected all passengers after the first stop. If it's a nice day, you have little chance of boarding after the first stop, so get to Capitol Hill. Hopefully they'll run bigger buses, but with all the people that got turned away, it's still going to be full, and is only going to get busier as word gets out.
Posted by:
Pete R on May 30, 2018 08:22 AM