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Wheelchair-accessible taxis make debut

King County Metro Transit and several partners have introduced a project to see if new wheelchair-accessible taxicab service can provide more travel options for people who use wheelchairs.

The program, the first of its kind in King County, is currently in the demonstration phase and deploys eight taxicabs to transport wheelchair users to destinations across most urban and suburban areas of the county.

King County Metro Transit developed the project in partnership with the King County Licensing Division and the city of Seattle’s Consumer Affairs Division, which jointly issued dual taxicab licenses that are good in both Seattle and other parts of the county. Washington Accessible Taxis LLC, whose drivers are members of the Yellow Cab Association, provides the new service.

The taxicabs provided by Metro are low-floor mini-vans that are ramp-equipped for easy passenger loading. They operate with the same fare structure as other local taxi service, and run 24-hours a day in the urban and suburban areas of the county. There are some size and weight restrictions for the wheelchairs. Detailed information can be found online. People who need a ride in a wheelchair-accessible taxi can call Yellow Cab at (206) 622-6500.

Banners highlight King County’s ‘living’ memorial

Photo by Claire Henson

During the month of November, people who travel along Des Moines Memorial Drive may notice banners highlighting the history of King County’s only “living” memorial.

Des Moines Memorial Drive [external link] is an eight-mile stretch of road, which winds through local communities – SeaTac, Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, and the Boulevard Park area of unincorporated area of King County. In 1922, the memorial project involved the planting of 1,100 American elm trees to line the roadway as a "living" memorial to those who lost their lives in World War I. Over time, the impacts of disease, radical pruning and utility installations have decimated most of the elms.

Photo by Claire Henson

In January 2005, a corridor management plan was completed to re-emphasize the memorial. The first phase included memorial markers and interpretive elements in a segment of the drive maintained by the King County Road Services Division between South 99th Street and South 128th Street. The banners were developed this year both in honor of Veteran's Day and to call attention to the historic road. The next step in plan implementation is for the Des Moines Memorial Drive Advisory Committee to apply for designation of the drive as a state heritage corridor and/or state landmark in the coming year.

Metro adjusts bus service for Thanksgiving holiday

Metro will adjust its service this week for the Thanksgiving holiday. Sunday schedules will be in effect on all routes on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 23.

Buses will operate on a reduced weekday schedule on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 24; and some commuter routes and selected trips in the University District will be cancelled.

Metro customer service offices will be closed on both days. For all the details on holiday transit service, visit Metro Online.

Sunday’s marathon will impact transit service

On Sunday, Nov. 26, running of the Seattle Marathon [external link] will result in street closures, traffic delays and reroutes of some transit service along its course. The complete course, schedule and event information is available online.

Bus service will be affected by temporary reroutes and schedule delays as Marathon participants are on the course. Streets that will be affected include: Fifth Avenue North in the Seattle Center area; Fifth Avenue in downtown Seattle; Fifth Avenue South in the International District; the Interstate 90 Bridge; Lake Washington Boulevard; and across the north end of Capitol Hill.

While most impacts will end by 10 a.m., some areas - especially around the Seattle Center - may be affected until mid afternoon.

Rider Alerts will be posted at all affected bus stops, advising transit customers of the expected time that service will be impacted, as well as alternate boarding locations. Complete information about transit service affected by this event will be in Metro Online.

Monday night football coming up

photo: Go Hawks! The Seattle Seahawks will be featured on “Monday Night Football” next week on Nov. 27, as they host Green Bay in a 5:30 p.m. game at Qwest Field. Because it is a weekday game, those traveling to the stadium by bus should remember there will be no special shuttles from park-and-rides before the game – only after the action is over.

If you’re going to the game, take regular bus service to Qwest Field, and then after the game use either regular Metro service or special shuttles to five outlying park-and-ride lots to get home for $3.

Everyone should expect extra traffic congestion on Monday afternoon. Commuters may want to plan their trip home to avoid the south end of downtown, if possible, or adjust their work schedule to leave a little earlier on Monday. Bus passengers should expect traffic delays in the downtown and SODO areas.

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Updated: March 07, 2007

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