Draft Implementation Guide to RTA Project and Service Scheduling Issued for Public Review

A draft Implementation Guide, outlining the proposed sequence and scheduling for delivering regional transit projects and services, has been issued for public review by the board of the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority. Once finalized, the Guide will serve as a crucial management tool for the RTA, local jurisdictions and the other agencies in the design, construction and ultimate implementation of the transit services called for in Sound Move, The Ten-Year Regional Transit System Plan approved by the region's voters last November.

While Sound Move represents a comprehensive and well-integrated system of regional transit services, it is comprised of more than 100 separate but interrelated capital and service projects to be developed over the next ten years. The purpose of the Implementation Guide is to establish a logical sequence for developing the component projects consistent with the commitments and financial policies included in Sound Move.

Factors that determine the sequence of development and construction of the projects include budgeting, the timing and availability of federal grants, coordinating RTA projects with those of other agencies and jurisdictions, and the financial policies adopted by the RTA as part of Sound Move.

The draft Guide calls for regional express bus service to begin on most of the 20 routes called for in Sound Move in late 1999 with additional service and routes being phased in as other facilities needed to assure fast reliable service - including transit centers, park-and-ride facility expansion and direct HOV access ramps - are completed.

The commuter rail service, providing two-way rush-hour passenger service on exisitng railroad tracks, would commence between Seattle and Tacoma in late 1999, with service between Everett and Seattle, and Tacoma and Lakewood scheduled to begin in early 2001, according to the draft Guide.

The first light rail service to begin operation will be the segment connecting the Tacoma Dome station with downtown Tacoma's university and theatre districts, scheduled to begin operation by 2001. The Guide calls for the initial segment of the central light rail system to begin carrying passengers in early 2005, with the full line from the University of Washington to the City of SeaTac completed by the end of 2006.

Copies of the the draft Implementation Guide are currently being printed and will be available from the RTA and through local public libraries after April 7. The document will also be posted on the RTA's World Wide Web site.

The RTA Board is currently inviting public comment on the Guide, and has scheduled a special public comment period on it in conjunction with its second regular April board meeting:

Thursday, April 24
4 to 6 p.m.
Puget Sound Regional Council Board Room
1011 Western Avenue, 6th Floor
Seattle

Persons wishing to comment are asked to submit a copy of their remarks in writing at, or in advance of, the meeting. Written comments on the draft Implementation Guide may also be submitted by mail, fax or e-mail:

By mail: RTA; 821 - 2nd Ave., MS - 151; Seattle, WA 98104
By fax: 206-684-1234

Written comments must be received no later than May 1. The Board is scheduled to adopt the Implementation Guide at its May 22 meeting.

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Sound Transit plans, builds and operates regional transit systems and services to improve mobility for Central Puget Sound.