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Ride Sound Transit and Metro to Saturday’s ‘March For Our Lives’ event; expect crowds

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Extra trains and buses will operate, buses downtown will be routed to avoid congestion

SUMMARY

Tens of thousands of participants are expected to turn out for the Seattle March For Our Lives event on Saturday, March 24. King County Metro and Sound Transit will operate extra service as needed but customers should use regularly published schedules to plan transit trips, allow plenty of time and prepare for delays.

STORY

The March For Our Lives event is expected to start at 10 a.m. with a rally at Cal Anderson Park. The march is expected to begin at 11 a.m. and proceed through downtown to Seattle Center. Transit riders should prepare for significant delays before, during and after the march.

Sound Transit plans to operate extra Link light rail trains to help serve expected crowds at Capitol Hill Station adjacent to Cal Anderson Park. Those planning to ride Link to the march can board trains at 14 stations between the University of Washington and Angle Lake. Customers also can ride Metro and Sound Transit to downtown and join the march from there. Metro will operate free return shuttle buses from Seattle Center to downtown Seattle.   

Schedules, reroutes and free return shuttles

Metro will operate on a normal Saturday schedule and will have additional buses as needed on routes 8, 41, 44, 101, 150, 255 and RapidRide C, D, and E Lines. ST Express Routes 550 and 554 will operate extra service; additional service on ST Express Route 594 may run if needed. 

Extra Metro buses do not have schedules, will not appear in Metro’s online Trip Planner or One Bus Away, and will be dispatched based on demand. Riders should prepare for overcrowding and for some buses that may be too full to accommodate all passengers. 

In addition, the Seattle Department of Transportation plans rolling closures for all traffic on Fourth Avenue during the march. Metro and ST Express buses will be rerouted, and ST Express Route 512 will pick up and drop off passengers near Westlake Station on Olive Way between Fifth and Sixth avenues. 

Detailed information about revisions to Metro and Sound Transit bus service during this event is available on Metro’s Service Advisories page and on Sound Transit’s rider alerts page.

Transit riders should use regularly published timetables, plan ahead, allow plenty of time and prepare for traffic delays. Metro will have extra supervisors to monitor crowds in downtown Seattle, the International District, and Pioneer Square, and will adjust to accommodate transit needs when possible. 

After the event, Metro will provide free shuttles from the west side of Seattle Center, northbound on First Avenue North at Harrison Street, for people wishing to return to the central downtown area. The buses signed as ‘Shuttle’ will take riders to the northbound stop on Third Avenue between Pike and Pine streets. Buses marked ‘Shuttle’ are free. Riders will need to pay regular fare on all other regularly operated King County Metro and Sound Transit service. 

Use online timetables or Metro’s online Trip Planner to find bus service to the Capitol Hill or University of Washington light rail stations. Bus service that travels to or near these areas includes Metro routes 8, 10, 11, 12, 31, 32, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48, 49, 60, 65, 67, 71, 73, 75, 271 and 372. Sound Transit Route 545 serves both Montlake Freeway Station and downtown Seattle for connections with other service. 

Riders also should be aware that the Washington State Department of Transportation has scheduled an Alaskan Way Viaduct inspection this weekend and buses that typically travel on the viaduct will be rerouted.

Transit users can also follow these tips:

  • Plan to arrive early to avoid traffic congestion and full buses.
  • Prepare for overcrowding on buses.
  • If possible, ride Link light rail to Capitol Hill station and walk to the park. 
  • Prepare for significant delays – as thousands march through downtown Seattle, buses may be delayed for up to an hour at some locations. 
  • Have transit fare or an ORCA card ready, or download a ticket to your phone through the Transit Go mobile ticketing app.
  • Sign up for Transit Alerts on Metro’s website or on Sound Transit’s Rider Alerts page.

RELEVANT LINKS

King County Metro Trip Planner
Sound Transit Trip Planner
Metro’s Service Advisories page
Transit Go mobile