Bringing You Home with Swift Bus Rapid Transit

Mina shares her story on the benefits of being a Swift rider

Bringing You Home with Swift from Community Transit on Vimeo.

Life is always on the move for Mina, an international student at Edmonds Community College. With different classes every day, and a busy social life, she needed a commute option that was inexpensive, flexible, and fast. She hopped on Swift and has been moving ever since.

Mina, who is from Mongolia, lives in Lynnwood with her brother. Every day she walks 15 minutes from her apartment to catch Swift Blue Line to the college where she studies Computer Science. Because Swift comes every 10 minutes, she never worries about a schedule. In just a few minutes the bus will arrive. Mina's commute is fast; just a quick 10 minute ride and she arrives at College Station.

Swift Blue Line is a bus rapid transit line that runs along Highway 99 between Aurora Village and Everett Station. Most of Mina's friends also use Swift to get to school and to support businesses along Highway 99. "We take the bus because we don't feel that cars are necessary since the bus comes to most of the area. We hang out, go to eat, go to karaoke."

Mina doesn't drive, and Uber is too expensive for her to use regularly. She doesn't mind since she feels safe and confident in Swift, "I don't have to worry about safety; it's really safe. And also I don't drive so I can study just while riding the bus, and I can hang out with my friends."

Want to get in on the Swift action? You're in luck! Our Swift network is expanding beyond Highway 99. Swift Green Line will open in March 2019 and will run from Canyon Park/Bothell through Mill Creek to the new Seaway Transit Center near Boeing/Paine Field. Swift Green Line will connect with Swift Blue Line at Highway 99 and Airport Road, creating the region's first bus rapid transit network for travel in South Snohomish County and beyond.

Swift, bringing more connections and more opportunities to keep you moving.

Bringing You Home With Vanpool: Real People, Real Stories.

Shawn shares his story on the benefits of being a Vanpool rider

Bringing You Home with Vanpool from Community Transit on Vimeo.

You've seen them, the Community Transit vanpool vans, whizzing by you in the carpool lane. If you dread your commute each day, riding in a vanpool may be just the ticket for transforming your commute into one you actually enjoy. Meet Shawn, who joined his first vanpool ten years ago, relying on the service through graduate school and his professional life.

A vanpool is a group of 5-15 riders who commute to the same work place. Each vanpool van sets its own schedule and route. Fares are based on the size of the van and the daily mileage, and cover all gas, maintenance and insurance. Shawn's van seats 12 riders, though 15 riders take advantage of the service and rotate seats. By riding a van, not only are commuters saving money, they're saving space on the highway, which means saving the environment. Shawn says, "There are the obvious cost benefits, and avoiding the wear and tear on your own vehicle. And then there's the other benefit of doing something good for the environment, knowing that there's not 12 cars on the road and instead you're all combining into one."

Each day Shawn's round trip to and from work is about 50 miles and takes about 40 minutes. That's 40 minutes to carve out a little time in a busy life. How does Shawn spend his time? Reading, working, and, yes, napping. "Sometimes you get to take a nap. That's always a great thing, especially if you didn't get a good night's sleep. I have a little child and sometimes my sleep's not the best and you can catch up."

When you're not getting a little shut eye or catching up on work emails, you might be surprised at how commuting with coworkers helps you feel more connected to your community. "You get to meet a lot of people, people that you wouldn't normally have a conversation with. When I was going to school I found a lot of people that joined the van I then ran into in class. It helps make things feel a little bit smaller being in a big city like Seattle."

Shawn also enjoys the benefits of transit outside of work hours. "Occasionally I'll take the bus downtown. The price of parking has gotten pretty high. If there's a Mariners game it's anywhere from $30 - $40, and if you can take the bus you don't have to worry about that." Shawn and his wife also take their young child on bus outings, "When you don't have to worry about driving, you can all just be present with each other."

Let us make it easy for you to get to work and bring you home with Vanpool. Our Community Transit Vanpool Program coordinators provide support for group formation, driver orientation, vehicle maintenance and rider recruitment. In other words, when you're ready to take advantage of our vanpool program, they'll work hard to make it happen.

If you could get out from behind the wheel on your commute, what would you do with your free time?

Bringing You Home With Double Tall: Real People, Real Stories

Deedra shares her story on the benefits of being a Double Tall rider.

The view sure is amazing from the top of our Double Talls. When you’re out from behind the wheel, you can look out the windows beyond gridlock to see mountains, trees, and the Seattle skyline. The view inside a Double Tall is pretty great too. It’s clean and comfortable, with plenty of room to stretch out and breathe. Even better? It’s filled with potential friends, professional connections, and neighbors. Meet Deedra, who looks forward to her commute each day to connect with her community.

"I have sat upstairs before and yeah, the view is awesome. I’m so much more comfortable on this bus as far as leg room, and I don’t have to worry about the traffic. It’s stress free.” Deedra has been commuting from Snohomish County to downtown Seattle for 17 years, always taking Community Transit buses. In fact, Deedra has been riding our Double Tall buses since our first feet rolled out in 2011. That initial fleet of 23 buses has grown to 62, with 8 more anticipated later this year. That means even more opportunities to take in the view while everyone else is stuck in traffic.

Deedra’s commute from Silver Firs in Everett to South Lake Union takes less than an hour on a Double Tall, where it would take at least an hour and a half by car. What does she do with this free time to herself? She reads, naps, relaxes, and makes new friends. “When I take the Double Tall I usually end up talking to people I’ve met on my commute. I’ve met a lot of interesting people. I recognize them out and about in my community.” With professionals commuting to and from the downtown area, the Double Talls occasionally act as a networking bus, too. “Some of the connections I’ve made have helped people in their careers, or we talk about other aspects of our lives. We benefit from one another.”

The Double Tall not only saves time, it saves money. “The cost effectiveness is a huge advantage. I’m a single mom and I can avoid spending $24 in parking and money in gas.” Deedra drives 10-15 minutes to the Swamp Creek Park & Ride where she catches her Double Tall. “I take my daughter to school in the morning, so I tend to take any bus that’s after 8:00 am. Coming down to Swamp Creek is easy and I can always find a parking spot. There’s always a Double Tall to take so I’m never going to miss my commute.”

Enjoy a comfortable commute while we bring you home with Double Tall. Find a Double Tall on routes serving Everett, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mukilteo, and Marysville.

 How would you use your free time on the Double Tall? Would you enjoy the opportunity to disconnect from others and just relax, or would you be inspired to connect, maybe striking up a conversation with someone new? 

Bringing You Home from Community Transit on Vimeo.

Bringing You Home: Community Transit Riders Share Their Stories

"I'm Community Transit. And I ride it."

For over 40 years, Community Transit has been honored to provide safe, reliable and friendly service to Snohomish County. We've come a long way in four decades! Our fleet has grown to include the Swift Blue Line, Washington State's first bus rapid transit line, Double Tall buses with big views and a small footprint, DART (Dial-a-Ride Transit), and Vanpool vehicles. Thank you to the people who make it possible for us to serve our community ... our riders. We are honored with the responsibility you have entrusted in us to take you out in the world each day, and to bring you home again.

We talked with some of our riders recently, and they had great stories about the surprising benefits of using our services. From commuters to students to seniors, they shared their stories of connection, empowerment and freedom. We're excited to share them with you. Look for these stories here on our blog, on our website, and on our social channels over the next few months. And feel free to share your stories with us, too! We'd love to hear them.

Bringing You Home from Community Transit on Vimeo.

Community Transit "Moves" Me, Big Time

Did you hear the news? Swift Blue Line just turned seven! The first of its kind in Washington state, Swift Bus Rapid Transit connects communities along a 17-mile stretch of Highway 99 between Everett and Lynnwood. The Swift Blue Line route serves Snohomish County's busiest transit corridor, with over 1.7 million commuters using it each year to get to work and school.

We had a chance to meet with Mina, a student at Edmonds Community College, who relies on us to get an education. "Public transportation is an affordable way to get to my classes. Without public transportation, school just wouldn't happen for me." We realize that our riders need more than affordable and reliable transportation. They need transit to be fast and frequent as well. Swift Blue Line operates every 12 minutes weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and every 20 minutes weekdays from 5-6 a.m., weeknights and on weekends. This makes life easier for commuters like Mina. "You don't even need a schedule with Swift Bus Rapid Transit because the bus comes every 12 minutes or so."

Community Transit has big plans to "move" you big time, now and in the future. Construction on the Swift Green Line begins in 2017, with service offered to customers in early 2019. Swift Green Line will connect the Boeing/Paine Field aerospace manufacturing area in Everett with the Canyon Park technology center in Bothell. And we are only getting bigger! Other Swift Bus Rapid Transit lines are in the works, providing the efficiency and appeal of light rail, delivered faster and at a fraction of the cost.

Snohomish County is the fastest growing county in the state. We are proud to provide innovative transportation to "move" you to work, school, and life.

Transit moves me, big time! from Community Transit on Vimeo.

"I'm Carlos. And I Ride It."

For 40 years we've been privileged to provide safe, reliable, and friendly service to Snohomish County. From our early years as a small bus company, we've grown to provide nearly 10 million passenger boardings each year across one of the fastest growing counties in the state. This milestone birthday is a perfect opportunity to give thanks to the people that make it possible to serve our community... our riders. People like Carlos, who rely on us each day to bring them home.

Having grown up in rural, central Washington, Carlos was new to transit when he moved to Lynnwood nearly a year ago. The daunting commute to downtown Seattle convinced him to give transit a try. "I hate to drive. Taking the bus is so much easier and convenient, and I don't have to worry about finding and paying for parking. I just walk a block to the corner to catch the 115 or 116 to the Ash Way Park & Ride where I transfer to the 415 express bus to downtown."

For Carlos, taking transit is about more than convenience. It's also a rare opportunity for a little 'me' time. "It's really pleasant to download a show and watch a little TV on the ride downtown. Even though it takes longer to get to work, I put on headphones and can just zone out for a little while. It's like meditation time and I really enjoy that."

Taking the bus also provides a change of scene, even when you take the same bus route each day, "You tend to see more around you on the bus, too. When you're driving you're paying attention just to the drivers around you. All of your focus is on being a defensive driver. But when you take the bus, you can look out the window and discover all sorts of shops and restaurants you just don't catch when you're driving."

Carlos doesn't just rely on Community Transit to get him to and from work. Being a one-car family means Carlos and his four young children regularly rely on transit to get groceries, go to the bank, run errands, and have fun. "It's not hard at all to navigate transit with kids. We go to the grocery store all the time and can manage three bags of groceries with the stroller. We also like to take the 115 or 116 to Alderwood Mall to run around. There are a couple of drivers that are really friendly and say hi to the kids and ask what we're up to that day."

Thank you, Carlos, for the responsibility you have entrusted in us to serve you, your family, and our community. We look forward to bringing you home for many more years to come.

Community Transit recognizes stand out participants

Community Transit’s Choice Connections program recognizes worksites in Snohomish County and the City of Bothell who support Washington State Commute Trip Reduction goals. They go above and beyond to encourage their employees to use smart transportation alternatives to driving alone. Congratulations to the Choice Connections award winners for 3rd Quarter 2014:

Ben Stockinger, Smart Commuter

Smart Commuter of the Quarter

Ben Stockinger is webmaster for the City of Lynnwood. He is diligent about developing, managing and supporting the city’s web resources and services. Ben has also been a devoted advocate of alternative transportation for the past 15 years by biking, walking and carpooling to work and meetings. He is a personal advocate at his worksite, and helps educate his coworkers on biking to work. Ben chooses to bike to work, rain or shine, even during the rainy Pacific Northwest weather.

ETC of the Quarter

Marko Liias has done great things for the Commute Trip Reduction program at the City of Mukilteo. Within his first couple months, he reviewed their entire CTR program and set in place new strategies to achieve success and educate city employees. Due to his efforts, the City of Mukilteo achieved over a 50% increase in employees tracking their non-drive alone trips in RideshareOnline.com. Marko’s efforts also contributed to their employees more than quadrupling their number of drive alone miles saved, which helps ease traffic congestion and supports a healthy environment. 

Employer of the Quarter

Panasonic Avionics Corporation provides its employees with the tools and encouragement to ensure a successful worksite Commute Trip Reduction program. They hosted an appreciation luncheon for rideshare participants, and educated employees on the RideshareOnline.com system. They delivered another great perk, a certificate for a paid day off, which will be awarded to three participants using a commute alternative to driving alone. During the third quarter alone, Panasonic participants have removed more than 43,000 lbs of CO² from the air we breathe and saved almost 2,200 gallons of fuel.

Choice Connections rewards commuters for choosing a smart alternative to driving alone, and offers the tools and resources needed to get started. When you choose a smart commute, your efforts reduce traffic, save money and time, and help the environment. To learn more about the Choice Connections program, please visit Community Transit Choice Connections.

 

Community Transit Recognizes Smart Transportation Choices

 

Did you know that over 50% of all greenhouse gas emissions in Washington come from transportation sources?

Community Transit’s Choice Connections program recognizes worksites and commuters in Snohomish County and the City of Bothell that go above and beyond to reduce pollution and congestion by promoting alternatives to driving alone.

The Choice Connections award winners for the 1st Quarter of 2014 were:

Smart Commuter of the Quarter

Mark Fagan, Smart Commuter of the Quarter

Mark Fagan from Esterline-Korry gave up his car as part of a New Year’s resolution and hasn’t looked back. He is able to commute to work via vanpool, Swift and bicycle and is enjoying the positive effects to both his health and wallet. Mark’s personal mission is to use his smart commute to reduce his carbon footprint.

Employee Transportation Coordinator of the Quarter
Jeanne Killgore of The Everett Clinic at Smokey Point has been instrumental in evaluating her worksite Commute Trip Reduction program to successfully remove drive alone trips from our roads. Thanks to her hard work she was successfully able to surpass her worksite survey requirements, which helps to gauge future areas for program growth.

Employer of the Quarter
The City of Lynnwood is dedicated to making it easier for their employees to choose smart transportation options. They offer a monthly incentive for those who choose not to drive alone to work. Their worksite show an impressive savings of over 4,700 pounds of CO2 and over 6,000 vehicle trips reduced from our local roads in the first quarter 2014.
     
Choice Connections is a new program that rewards commuters for choosing a smart alternative to driving alone, and offers the tools and resources needed to get started. When you choose a smart commute, your efforts reduce traffic, save money and time, and help the environment. To learn more about the Choice Connections program please visit Community Transit Choice Connections.

 

Why is There Limited Commuter Service on "Minor" Holidays?

By Martin Munguia

For transit agencies, figuring out how much service to put on the road on holidays is a guessing game. You might provide more service than necessary and have empty buses. Or, you might constrict service to the point that it inconveniences some riders.

Community Transit offers service on four “minor” holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Friday. These are days when businesses and schools are closed or people take the day off and transit demand is lower than a typical weekday, but there are still a significant number of people riding the bus. A couple other days that sometimes warrant this minor holiday schedule are Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

After years of studying transit use patterns on these days, our planners have come up with a consistent schedule for these days: regular local service (including Boeing routes), and reduced commuter service to Seattle and the UW (Routes 402, 413, 421 and 855).

This way, even if people aren’t working those days, they can still travel by bus to do shopping, run errands or visit family. If people want to go to Seattle, there are some Community Transit options available, but there is also Sound Transit service.

On these days, ridership to Seattle is as low as 20 percent of a regular weekday, so the reduced commuter service makes good business sense. Local ridership is typically lower than usual, but not as drastic.

In the coming year, we will be evaluating whether to bring back service on major holidays, as well as Sundays. But we want to be cost-effective whatever decision we make. So on days we know ridership is going to be low, we may continue to offer reduced service to still serve our riders, but in a fiscally responsible way.