Bellevue commuters heading south on I-405 toward Renton will soon have a new fast, frequent bus connection.

The decisions about which local routes feed into that link are about to be shaped by a community board that King County Metro is now recruiting.

Metro announced July 8 that it is seeking members for the Renton Area Mobility Project Board, a paid advisory group that will guide a major redesign of bus routes around downtown Renton and the new Renton Transit Center. Board members will earn $75 per hour.

The board's work will determine which bus routes connect to Sound Transit's Stride BRT S1 Line, scheduled to begin service in 2028, according to Sound Transit.

The S1 will run double-decker battery-electric buses every 10 to 15 minutes from Bellevue's downtown light rail station south through Renton to Burien, operating more than 17 hours a day in HOV and dedicated transit lanes along I-405 and SR 167.

That means the board's route decisions will shape how easily Bellevue riders transfer to destinations across South King County once the line opens.

Sound Transit broke ground on the new Renton Transit Center on Wednesday, February 4. Ed Prince, Renton City Councilmember and Sound Transit Board Member, said at the groundbreaking that the S1 would offer direct, frequent, all-day service connecting Bellevue, Renton, Tukwila, and Burien, with transfers to light rail at Tukwila International Blvd and Bellevue Downtown stations.

The board will be active from fall 2026 through fall 2027, meeting three to four hours per quarter for a total of 10 to 16 hours over the year, according to Metro's announcement. Meetings will be held online or in person with a virtual option.

Metro is seeking current and future transit riders, members of community-based organizations, and local businesses. The agency encourages applications from people of color, people with disabilities, people with low or no income, immigrants and refugees, older adults, students, and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.

Board members will receive training in transit planning. The board's scope covers bus service plans, revisions to Metro's regular routes and flexible services, and community engagement of current and potential riders.

Applications are open through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, August 15, via the Metro Matters blog at kingcountymetro.blog. Short interviews will take place the week of Monday, August 31, with final selections in early September 2026. The first board meetings are expected mid-September 2026.

The new Renton Transit Center, now under construction, will serve as the S1's hub with eight bus bays, covered waiting areas, and connections to Metro's future RapidRide I Line. Sound Transit says the Stride fleet will be its first battery-electric bus fleet and describes it as the first double-decker electric BRT program of its kind in the U.S.