King County Metro will pause all bus service for one minute at 4:04 p.m. next Monday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, and to mark the 50th anniversary of his assassination.
According to a news release, the majority of the approximately 975 Metro and Metro-operated Sound Transit buses on the road at that moment will pull over and stop for one minute.
“Dr. King devoted his life to fighting for equality and human rights for all, and we dedicate this moment to equity and social justice for all that Dr. King lived and died for,” said King County Metro General Manager Rob Gannon. “Metro believes that mobility is one of those rights. We are proud to provide public transportation services that enable all people to access the opportunities needed to thrive in King County.
Metro and Metro-operated Sound Transit buses in King County will pull over and stop only where and when it is safe to do so. Buses will not pause service if they are traveling on highways, in the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel or on roadways where there is no place to safely pull over.
The legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — whose image graces every one of our buses—is a constant and powerful guide. Although his physical voice was silenced 50 years ago, his importance continues and we continue to embrace Dr. King’s quest for equity and social justice as we deliver transportation services. We strive to offer everyone in King County affordable and accessible opportunities to get where you want to go.
King County was named in 1852 after Vice President William Rufus de Vane King, a slave owner and advocate for the Fugitive Slave Act. A 20-year effort to rename the county led to the 2005 change in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., followed by a logo change in 2007.
Also on Monday, Metro will operate on a reduced weekday schedule.
