RapidRide H Line Transit Project Achieves Envision Platinum

King County, Washington and Washington, D.C. — A bus rapid transit project in King County, Washington has achieved an Envision Platinum award. King County Metro upgraded existing bus Route 120 to deliver the RapidRide H Line, adding to Metro’s growing bus rapid transit service. Consolidated bus stops, designated bus lanes, and all-door boarding are improving the rider experience with faster, more frequent, and more reliable service. The bus station shelters are designed to increase rider safety and improve wayfinding, while also reducing operations and maintenance costs and impacts on the environment. For this multi-jurisdiction project, King County Metro partnered with the City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), the City of Burien, and White Center (an unincorporated area of King County).

 The new RapidRide H Line addresses key public transit issues to support the development of a more mobile, equitable, and resilient community. The project transformed one of King County’s ten busiest routes, that had struggled with severe overcrowding during peak transit times, into one providing buses at least every 15 minutes all day, every day — and at least every 10 minutes during peak travel times. Newly designated business access and transit (BAT) lanes and queue jump signals for the buses throughout most of the route allow for faster travel times, while other roadway improvements — including new turn lanes, traffic signals, and pedestrian crosswalks with flashing beacons — are improving overall safety. Since this transit route passes through several economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, the upgraded service also better connects residents to community amenities and job opportunities.

King County’s Green Building and Sustainable Development Ordinance requires community projects to achieve high levels of environmental sustainability while also addressing equity and social justice issues. Given these key priorities, Metro chose to pursue Envision verification for this project because the comprehensive framework provided the best direction to inspire and achieve the breadth and depth of sustainability sought throughout all project phases — from planning to design through construction.

The new RapidRide H Line service began in March 2023.