HOW WILL TRANSIT GET US WHERE WE WANT TO GO?
How will transit get us where we want to go?
This section shows how the way people get to jobs in the region will change in the future. These travel changes are based on where we expect jobs, population, and traffic congestion to occur. The analysis assumed the existing transit network and used forecasts of population and job growth.
Development will be concentrated near transit service
Population and employment growth will occur more in areas with transit. This is a good thing, but it will put more stress on the transit system.
This map shows that future travel by transit remains highest for areas around downtown Seattle, the University District, and parts of West Seattle, downtown Bellevue, Eastgate and Factoria.
Transit will keep the region moving
As the region grows, transit will become more useful to even more people. Between 2014 and 2040, we’ll see almost a 50 percent increase in the number of jobs you can get to within 30 minutes by transit. Jobs you can get to within 30 minutes by car will increase by less than 20 percent.
Top 5 Urban Growth Areas: Percent Change in Jobs Accessible by Transit
The areas forecasted to experience the largest growth in jobs accessible within 30 minutes on transit are Burien, SeaTac, Auburn, Federal Way and Totem Lake in Kirkland. This is partly because large percentage increases in jobs are expected in areas you can reach by current transit routes.
Top 5 Urban Growth Areas: Percent Change in Jobs Accessible via Auto
The areas forecasted to have the highest percentage increase in car trips to employment are Kent, Redmond, Totem Lake, Renton and Overlake. This is because the new jobs will be concentrated in places people can get to from surrounding neighborhoods by car. Some areas where traffic congestion is already high, such as Auburn, Burien and Northgate, would see very little change (under 10 percent growth) in mobility to jobs by automobile.
People throughout King County will use transit more
Transit will carry an increasing share of work trips across King County, but especially in the densest urban centers.
2040 Percent Change in Transit Trips
The percent of trips to work on transit will grow faster in communities outside the City of Seattle. The importance of transit will increase countywide.
Top 5 Urban Growth Areas: Percent Change in Transit Commute Trips
Buses will continue to carry the largest share of transit trips
Metro is projected to carry more than half of all transit passenger trips in King County. The regional transportation plan projects more than 700,000 daily weekday boardings on Metro services by 2040.
