Small Town News

Route 200 bus expansion is delayed until 2013

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Route 200 bus riders can enjoy many more free rides following a City Council decision last week.

The council reluctantly agreed to delay the Route 200 expansion -- and the plan to collect fares -- to the Issaquah Highlands and Talus until February 2013.

"I hope nobody in our community views the delay until February of 2013 as this council not being committed to improving public transport throughout our city," Councilman Mark Mullet said. "I think we're firmly committed to that goal."

In a January letter to the city, Port Blakely Communities -- a financial partner in the Route 200 agreement -- announced its decision to pull out of the agreement.

The route had been scheduled to extend to the highlands and Talus in September. The city and King County Metro Transit had also planned to start collecting fares then.

Municipal and transit officials could someday establish a route, 928, to offer additional service on Squak Mountain. In order to fund the additional service, Metro Transit needs to charge fares on Route 200 buses.

"I believe that the delay in expanding this bus service hurts

Squak Mountain," Councilman Joshua Schaer said. "It hurts Talus and it hurts the highlands."



Copyright 2011 The Issaquah Press, Issaquah, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 The Issaquah Press Issaquah, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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