A proposal by King County Metro to eliminate an East Hill bus route and the overall lack of service to an area north of SE 240th Street didn’t go over well with the Kent City Council.
The implementation of new routes isn’t planned until fall 2026 but Metro staff presented proposed changes to the council at its Aug. 19 Committee of the Whole meeting. It’s all part of Metro’s South Link Connections project in South King County to improve service with the opening in December of this year of Sound Transit’s Federal Way Link Extension of light rail between SeaTac and Federal Way on the West Hill.
Council members oppose Metro’s plan to cut Route 162 and counting on seniors and immigrants knowing how to use the Metro Flex app, an on-demand transit service of smaller vehicles to neighborhoods.
“My main concern is that once again Metro is coming before the council to eliminate a route in Kent while also failing to address the transportation desert we have north of SE 240th and the overall transportation inequity in SE King County,” Councilmember Marli Larimer said in a Sept. 1 email to the Kent Reporter. “North of 240th, there are absolutely no routes that run east/west. The new Rapid Ride coming to Benson will serve as a vital north/south connection, but Metro continues to fail to address how residents will get the 2-3 miles east/west from residential areas to this new route.
“We know transportation is a major barrier for students, seniors and immigrants living in working-class communities such as ours. For an agency that claims to base its decisions on equity, Metro continues to fail to address the needs of the third largest city in King County, which also happens to be the most diverse community in the state.”
Metro staff said at the committee meeting that riders could use the Metro Flex app. But Larimer responded not everyone can easily use apps.
“I would like to see Metro stand behind their equity pledge and address the transportation needs of our community,” Larimer said in an email. “They tout the benefits of the Metro Flex app for this area without acknowledging many of the people in our community would not be able to or be comfortable using an app-based service. Why not eliminate low ridership routes in wealthier communities and offer them Metro Flex instead? The people in these more affluent communities are more likely to use an app service anyway.”
Kent City Council President Satwinder Kaur and Councilmember Brenda Fincher asked Metro staff to help make sure all residents are reached with information about the changes or how to use Metro Flex, even if it means translating videos into multiple language.
“Let people know in multiple languages how to use it for getting to work, school or a park,” Fincher said.
A Metro spokesperson, in a Sept. 5 email to the Kent Reporter, explained how Metro Flex works and can help riders.
“People can request a ride to and from anywhere in the service are for the same cost as a bus trip,” according to a spokesperson. “Metro recognizes that an app isn’t the best choice for everyone, particularly for some seniors, so people wanting a ride can request a ride by calling Customer Service at 206-258-7739.
“When calling, riders can access translation services by saying their language or ask for translation to one of over 300 languages. If someone prefers the app and the native language on their phone is set to Amharic, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, or Vietnamese then the Metro Flex app will automatically translate to that language.”
At the committee meeting, Metro staff said that people who ride 162 can instead take 168 to the Sounder train station in downtown Kent. They said riders will get alerts about the changes and signs will be posted at bus stops.
The goal of the South Link Connections project is to create an updated transit network that connects Metro buses with Link light rail and the larger regional transit system, according to Metro. The agency is working together with Sound Transit, other transit agencies, and the cities on this effort. The new transit network is planned to be implemented starting in fall 2026.
In addition to Kent, the project covers Algona, Auburn, Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Normandy Park, Pacific, SeaTac, Tukwila and portions of unincorporated King County.
“Metro was quick to tell us they had an 80% satisfaction rate on their route survey, but of course route riders are happy; they have routes that work for them,” Larimer said. “Metro needs to ask the tens of thousands of residents that live in the Kent service desert, are they happy with no bus routes?”
Metro staff said at the meeting that they work with 39 cities and everyone wants more service, which they would provide if they had the funding.
Metro has conducted ridership surveys and recently concluded an online survey for feedback about the changes. Although that survey has closed, residents can email comments, concerns or questions to Metro’s service planning and outreach teams at HaveASay@kingcounty.gov.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with more information about Metro Flex and a new email contact for residents to reach King County Metro.
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