Metro’s new RapidRide E Line will replace the number 358 bus beginning this Saturday, Feb. 15. Metro says it will offer better reliability and faster trips, with buses arriving every 5 to 15 minutes, increasing transit service by 25 percent along an 11-mile stretch of Aurora Avenue North.
Metro also says all RapidRide buses have security cameras, and bus shelters have improved lighting and stop request lights.
The E Line replaces the current Route 358, Metro’s second highest ridership route, delivering 12,000 rides each weekday. With the addition of the E Line, ridership is projected to grow by 50 percent to 5.4 million annual rides within the next five years.
The distinguishing features of RapidRide are frequent all-day service, passenger amenities such as well-lit shelters, real-time “next bus” signs, off-board ORCA card payment, hybrid-electric buses with three doors and free Wi-Fi.
Saturday is also one of three days during the year when some Metro schedules change. Changes to routes in our neighborhood include a different route for the north end of the 28 local, which will now continue up 8th Avenue NW between NW 85th and 100th streets into Crown Hill.
