West Seattle Blog… | REOPENING: Here’s when transit systems will return to full capacity

We will post reopening news as soon as we receive it (westseattleblog@gmail.com if / when your company / organization announces changes) – Among the first announcements, the transportation systems around Puget Sound sent the message that they are back at full capacity. Here is the press release with the data for the systems operating in or near West Seattle:

Passengers will soon have more public transport as buses, trains and ferries in the Puget Sound area return to full capacity and all seats open from July.

Governor Inslee is dropping state social distancing restrictions on transit as part of his decision to reopen the state. As vaccination rates continue to rise in the Puget Sound area and other state restrictions are relaxed, more people are expected to use transit this summer.

Passengers must continue to wear masks in transit and in indoor transit facilities in accordance with the order of the Federal Traffic Safety Authority. Passengers must remain within two meters of bus drivers, unless they are paying the fare.

The following authorities are removing signs or barriers that have blocked seats during the pandemic: Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, and Washington State Ferries.

[From that list, here are local-to-our-area dates]

King County Metro

Starting Saturday July 3, normal passenger capacity will resume on metro buses, on-demand services such as Via to Transit, Seattle Streetcar, water taxis, community vans and shuttles, vanpools and Access Paratransit.

Sonic transit

Starting July 3, normal passenger capacity will resume on the King County Metro-operated Link light rail and ST Express bus routes (lines 522, 542, 545, 550 and 554). Normal capacity will resume on July 1st on Sounder, Tacoma Link and all other ST Express routes.

Washington State Washington ferries

From July 1st, normal passenger capacity on ferries will resume and customers will no longer be asked to stay in their vehicles.