King County photo

King County Dart Bus

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced in January a $79.7 million construction grant award to King County Metro to support a bus rapid transit line that will provide fast, frequent and reliable service between the cities of Renton, Auburn, and Kent, located south of Seattle.

The grant for the new RapidRide I Line, which will feature rebranded "green" hybrid electric buses, was funded by then-President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

"Americans depend on fast, affordable and safe transportation options to get to work, pursue their education and access groceries and medical services, and so much more," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said at the time. "Bus rapid transit is the fastest-growing transit mode for a good reason, and the … $79.7 million investment will build out King County's RapidRide I Line to provide faster, more efficient service that benefits the entire region."

King County's RapidRide I Line will improve travel times and the rider experience over a heavily traveled King County Metro bus line by providing nearly two miles of exclusive bus-only lanes and transit signal priority to speed riders on their way. The BRT also will include off-board fare payment, all-door boarding, and weekday service every 10 to 15 minutes during the day.

The 17-mi. route will have 41 new stations with shelters, lighting and real-time arrival information. The RapidRide I Line also will improve rider connections in the regional system, including the RapidRide F Line, Sound Transit buses, and Sounder commuter rail. The I Line will be the tenth to open as part of the RapidRide network, adding to a robust regional BRT system with daily ridership of approximately 63,000 trips.

"King County has grown by nearly 20 percent since 2010, increasing the need for high-capacity transit. The RapidRide I Line will provide a cleaner, faster ride for thousands of riders in Southern King County, including in areas of the county with some of the highest proportions of low-income and minority residents," FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool said at the time. "

The project would serve an estimated 50,000 jobs.

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