Holiday Relief: Council calls for study on using Metro Transit after fireworks

April 24, 2017

Summary

Getting people out of cars on 4th of July and New Year’s Eve

Story

They are events that attract close to 100,000 spectators every year, and the Metropolitan King County Council today called for a briefing to the Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee on how Metro Transit could help the transportation gridlock caused by the annual 4th of July and New Year’s Eve firework celebrations.

“This represents a strong signal from the Council to support Metro’s efforts to increase service and safety on these busy holidays,” said Councilmember Dave Upthegrove, the sponsor of the motion.

On South Lake Union and under the Space Needle at the Seattle Center, crowds gather in the Independence Day warmth and the New Year’s Eve chill to celebrate and watch the pyrotechnic displays—then get in their cars and try to get home. Arterials throughout downtown Seattle and the surrounding neighborhoods as far north as Wallingford are choked for hours after each event by individuals who do not have a transit option because the buses serving their neighborhoods do not run late at night.

The adopted motion calls on Metro Transit to explore the potential benefits to public safety and personal mobility through the expansion of bus service after these two events and, for New Year’s Eve, options for offering free bus service.