Bellevue-bound riders will connect to a new bus rapid transit line at a rebuilt Renton transit hub under a King County Metro proposal reshaping a dozen routes.

The plan, called the Renton Area Mobility Project (RAMP), would take effect as early as fall 2028. The new Renton Transit Center is planned for the corner of South Grady Way and Rainier South, near the existing South Renton Park-and-Ride. It will replace both the current downtown Renton Transit Center and the South Renton Park-and-Ride as the area's main bus hub.

Sound Transit's Stride S1 Bus Rapid Transit line will stop at the new facility. The S1 will run every 10 to 15 minutes along I-405 and SR 518 between Bellevue and Burien, more than 17 hours per day, seven days a week, according to Metro's project page. Bellevue-bound riders transferring in Renton would use the new facility instead of the current downtown stop.

What changes for riders

Metro is proposing to move every route that serves the current downtown Renton Transit Center to the new location. The agency lists 12 bus routes and two Metro Flex zones under consideration for changes, as reported by Seattle Transit Blog's Alex Kvenvolden. Here are the key shifts:

  • Routes 148 and 153 would be shortened to end at the new transit center and no longer continue into downtown Renton.
  • Routes 105, 240 and 907 would be extended south to reach the new facility.
  • Routes 106 and 107 would be redirected away from downtown to the new transit center.
  • Routes 101, 102, RapidRide F and the future RapidRide I Line (currently Route 160) would see no substantial routing change.

The RapidRide F Line would shift off SW 16th St, Lind Ave and 7th St to run on SW Grady Way between the new transit center and Oakesdale Ave SW, according to Metro. Two Metro Flex zones serving the current transit center would also be adjusted to cover the new location.

Bus stops at the South Renton Park-and-Ride will close when the new transit center opens.

Parking there will remain.

Service level shifts

Most routes would keep current service levels. The biggest change: Route 143, suspended since 2020, would be permanently removed. Other routes would provide all-day service to the same locations Route 143 once served, according to Metro. Some of Route 143's resources would be reinvested in Route 907, which would expand to run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. Route 907 connects Renton to Black Diamond.

Short Route 102 trips that start and end at the South Renton Park-and-Ride would become Route 101 trips. Metro said this would provide 15-minute service between Renton and Seattle from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. The total trip count between Renton and downtown Seattle would stay the same.

A gap in the plan

Kvenvolden noted that the proposal does not include bus connections to a second Stride S1 station in Renton at NE 44th St. Parking at that station was delayed to the mid-2030s under Sound Transit's realignment plan, he reported. Without parking or a connecting bus route, the station would serve only people within walking distance.

Metro told Seattle Transit Blog that adding a new route to NE 44th St fell outside RAMP's scope. The agency called the project budget-constrained, saying more routes need to be extended to the new facility than can be shortened.

How to weigh in

The King County Executive plans to submit a final ordinance package to the King County Council in winter 2028. Implementation would follow council approval.

Metro has assembled a 15-member Renton Area Mobility Board of people who live, work or travel in Renton. Residents can take Metro's online survey through Nov. 30.