CT's system inlcude more than 2,200 bus stops, 24 park and ride lots with more than 8,400 stalls. The future is growth for Snohomish County with a prediction that in the next 20 years there will be 240,000 new residents. Currently, there are 38,000 daily commuters every weekday. That's the population of Lynnwood. Transit helps our economy grow and protects our quality of life commented Emmett during his presentation.

 

Ridership is growing at about 2% each year. As a result, investment was needed to meet demand and grow for the future. There are 57 new doubletall buses. Community Transit was the 2nd in the nation and 1st in this area to use double decker buses. Sound Transit has begun ordering doubletalls after seeing the results by Community Transit. The current Swift Rapid Bus Transit Blue line from Everett to Aurora Village has benefited the communities in between. CT is constructing a corridor for a Green Line from Seaway Blvd at 75th St SW to the Canyon Park area of Bothell.

 

Emmett spoke of the future of the network and the need for Long Range Planning using increments of 3, 5 and 10 years. The future in Lake Stevens is Transit Oriented Development where property values along a transit corridor have benefited communities like Washington DC and will do the same in this area. On September 1st CT started two new routes serving Lake Stevens. Route 109 runs from the Ash Way Park & Ride lot through Mill Creek out Cathcart Way and north on Highway 9 to our Transit Center. Route 209 runs from the Transit Center north to Marysville via 64th St NE/4th St and up to Quil Ceda Village.

 

Another great program about the benefits of Community Transit to Lake Stevens and Snohomish County.