South Link Connections

As Link light rail expands farther south with three new stations in Kent Des Moines, Star Lake and Downtown Federal Way, the South Link Connections project aims to improve transportation options for communities in South King County. Metro is working with Sound TransitOpens in a new tab and other partners to create a new transit network based on community feedback.

Project mobility priorities

Metro gathered community feedback in multiple ways in Phase 1 and worked with the Mobility Board to prioritize the five main priorities below. Metro used these priorities to inform the Phase 2 transit network.

Greater transit coverage

Improved early morning and nighttime service

Faster travel times within and beyond the project area

Improved east-west transit connections

Increased weekend service, especially on Saturdays

Metro will continue working with our partners on other identified needs including:
  • Maintaining and improving bus frequencies.
  • Enhancing midday service during weekdays.
  • Making transfers easier within the South Link Connections project area.
  • Improving safety and comfort at transit stops and on buses/trains.
  • Increasing reliability and on-time trips.

Phase 2 network proposal

Metro has used the priorities above, best practices in service design and equity considerations to suggest updates to the transit network in South King County. Here are the key points of the Phase 2 proposal:

New transit connections: Adding new connections to future Link light rail stations.
All-day service: Investing in bus routes that operate all day, every day, with 30% more early morning and late-night trips on weekdays, and 53% more weekends trips.
New weekend service: New service on Saturdays and Sundays in Burien and new service on Sundays between Kent and Federal Way. The Phase 2 network would provide 35% more trips on Saturday and 75% more trips on Sunday compared to today.
Improved east-west service: Enhancing important routes across the area, including:
  • New frequent service connecting Highline College, Kent Station and Green River College. 
  • Frequent service between Twin Lakes Park & Ride, Federal Way Downtown Station and Auburn Station.  
On-demand services: Launching two new Metro Flex on-demand pilot services in Federal Way and Auburn to connect more people to transit.
Faster service: Updating bus routes between West Federal Way and Downtown Federal Way to make this connection quicker, more direct and easier to navigate.
Route changes: Removing some commuting routes between South King County and Downtown Seattle to:
  • Avoid overlapping services with Link light rail.
  • Reinvest resources from these routes to enhance the all-day services that connect to Link light rail.   

Click hereOpens in a new tab to see a side-by-side comparison of current and proposed network maps. For detailed proposed changes by area, please view below.

Service changes by type

New service:
164, 166, 186, Federal Way Link Extension, South Auburn Metro Flex pilot, Federal Way Metro Flex pilot  
Improved service:
181, 183, 631, 903, A Line
Revised service:
156, 162, 182, 187, 193
Removed routes:
165, 177, 901
Removed routes that are currently suspended/not operating:
121, 122, 123, 154, 157, 179, 190, 197

Service changes by area

The South Link Connections project is divided into two areas: north and south. The north area includes Burien, Des Moines, Kent, Normandy Park, SeaTac and Tukwila. The south area includes Auburn, Algona, Federal Way and Pacific. To learn more about the proposed changes in your area, click through the north area and south area tabs below.
Proposed route maps and details are included in each sheet below.
Route sheetDescription
Serves Des Moines, SeaTac, Tukwila
Kent Des Moines Station to Southcenter via Des Moines and SeaTac Station
Revised to provide more trips to Kent Des Moines Station and a more direct route through McMicken Heights.
Serves Kent, Seattle
Lake Meridian Park & Ride to Downtown Seattle via Kent Station
Revised peak-only route with reduced trips.
Serves Des Moines, Kent, Auburn
Kent Des Moines Station to Green River College via Kent Station
New frequent route with more trips. Replaces part of Route 165.
Serves Des Moines, Normandy Park, Burien
Kent Des Moines Station to Burien Transit Center via Des Moines and Normandy Park
New local route with more trips. Replaces part of Route 165.
Serves Federal Way, Kent
Federal Way Downtown Station to Kent Station via Star Lake Station
Improved with new Sunday service and more trips. Will serve Star Lake Station and Federal Way Downtown Station.
Serves Burien
Burien Transit Center to Gregory Heights via Highline Medical Center
Improved with new weekend service.
Serves Des Moines, Kent, Federal Way
Three new light rail stations: Kent Des Moines, Star Lake and Downtown Federal Way
Proposed route maps and details are included in each sheet below.
Route sheetDescription
Serves Des Moines, SeaTac, Tukwila
Kent Des Moines Station to Southcenter via Des Moines and SeaTac Station
Revised to provide more trips to Kent Des Moines Station and a more direct route through McMicken Heights.
Serves Kent, Seattle
Lake Meridian Park & Ride to Downtown Seattle via Kent Station
Revised peak-only route with reduced trips.
Serves Des Moines, Kent, Auburn
Federal Way Downtown Station to Twin Lakes via Mirror Lake New local route.
Partially replaces revised Route 187 and removed Route 901.
Serves Federal Way
Federal Way Downtown Station to Twin Lakes via SW 320th St
Revised two-way service on 320th Street between Federal Way Downtown Station and 47th Ave SW. More weekday and weekend trips.
Serves Federal Way, Tukwila, Seattle
Federal Way Downtown Station to First Hill (Seattle) via Tukwila Park & Ride
Revised peak-only route with fewer stops. Will serve Federal Way Downtown Station.
Serves Federal Way
Federal Way Downtown Station to Twin Lakes via south Federal Way
Improved with more weekday and weekend trips. Will serve Federal Way Downtown Station.
Serves Federal Way, Des Moines, Kent, SeaTac, Tukwila
Federal Way Downtown Station to Tukwila International Boulevard Station
Improved to serve Federal Way Downtown Station.
Serves Des Moines, Kent, Federal Way
Three new light rail stations: Kent Des Moines, Star Lake and Downtown Federal Way
Serves Auburn
New Metro Flex pilot zone providing on-demand service Monday through Saturday. Serving areas south of State Route 18, east of A Street SE, north of the White River and west of Auburn Way S/Forest Villa Manor. Includes Auburn Station and Riverside High School.
Serves Federal Way, Auburn
New Metro Flex pilot zone  providing on-demand service Monday through Saturday. Serving Federal Way Downtown Station, Laurelwood south of S 288th Street and West Hill south  of S 298th St, west of W Valley Highway N, and north of State Route 18.

Process and timeline

During this first phase of engagement, Metro shared information about the project scope and vision. We gathered information about service needs by reviewing existing data and reports from recent engagement, direct feedback from surveys, in-person engagement, conversations with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and input from our Partner Review Board and Mobility Board. We analyzed the feedback to find common themes and worked with the Mobility Board to identify key priorities. These priorities helped shape the draft service plan, which will be shared for public feedback in the second phase. We looked through feedback, found common themes, and worked with the Mobility Board to identify top priorities that helped inform the draft transit network concept for public feedback during Phase 2 engagement.  

Phase 2: Service Concepts (Winter 2024 to 2025)
Current Phase

During this second phase of engagement Metro will share proposed route changes to based on Phase 1 feedback. We will collect feedback on the proposed changes to better understand community priorities and how they should guide any updates to the plan. To inform people on how to get involved, we will gather direct feedback from surveys, in-person engagement and conversations with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). We will conduct social media campaigns, write blog posts in different languages, place ads in diverse media, Transit Alerts, RiderAlerts, posters on buses and share information in multiple languages online and in print.

In the final phase of engagement Metro will share updated service plans with the public, explaining how community input from Phase 2 influenced these updates. We will seek feedback on how to improve the plans before finalizing them. We will also summarize the earlier phases of the project, explain how community feedback shaped the final plan and discuss the next steps.

Engagement events

Mobility Board

During phase 1, Metro formed a South Link Connections Mobility Board representative of the project area and equitably represents groups of people historically left out of decision-making conversations related to transit and who are disproportionately affected by these decisions. The Mobility Board’s primary role is to collaborate with Metro staff to develop and refine a coordinated transit network in South King County.

Partner Review Board

During the engagement process, Metro meets with external stakeholders who serve as a concept review board, known as the Partner Review Board. The Board includes representatives from local jurisdictions and major institutions in the project area, leaders of community-based organizations, and representatives from partner transit agencies. The Partner Review Board’s primary role is to review and provide comment on service concepts developed by the Mobility Board. If your organization is within the service area and is interested in joining the Partner Review Board, please complete the short inquiry form here.

Equity Impact Review

The South Link Connections project will include an Equity Impact Review (EIR) study to ensure proposed route changes will improve mobility and access to transportation for historically underserved populations in King County. At each phase of the planning process, Metro will review technical data and results from engagement with priority populations to understand the anticipated impact to underserved communities and inform planning decisions. The EIR analysis, community engagement feedback, and service design best practices will all inform the proposed changes in the South Link Connections project. Public engagement and EIR summaries will be shared at the end of each phase of engagement under the Process and Timeline section above.

Contact us

Email

Please reach out to us in your preferred language by email at: haveasay@kingcounty.gov

Subscribe to receive updates

Get project updates and announcements about events and milestones. To subscribe, enter your contact information. If you have any questions about this service, please contact us.

Route information

As Link light rail expands farther south with stations at Kent/Des Moines, Star Lake, and Federal Way, the South Link Connections mobility project will address changing mobility needs and improve travel options for communities in South King County. Metro is collaborating with Sound Transit and other partners to develop a future transit network informed by feedback from communities.

The South Link Connections survey is now closed. For more opportunities to engage, please visit the website later this year.
As soon as 2026, Sound Transit will expand the Link light rail to three new stations in Kent/Des Moines, Star Lake, and Federal Way. This expansion may also bring changes to ST Express buses in the project area.
To prepare for these changes and improve mobility and access for historically underserved populations, Metro is launching a mobility project in South King County serving communities in Algona, Auburn, Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Normandy Park, Pacific, SeaTac, and Tukwila. This project will create an updated mobility network that integrates Metro services with the Link light rail, ST Express bus network, and any Pierce Transit service in King County. The project will be a coordinated process with Sound Transit and other agency and jurisdictional partners. The updated mobility network will be implemented at a service change date that aligns with or immediately follows the opening of the Link light rail extension.

Improve mobility for priority populations (as defined by the Mobility Framework).
Equitably inform, engage, and empower current and potential customers traveling in the project area.
Deliver integrated service that responds to Link expansion, changes in the transit network, and community needs.
Improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and environmental sustainability of the transit system.
Metro routes: RapidRide A Line, 121, 122, 123, 154, 156, 157, 162, 165, 177, 178, 179, 181, 182, 183, 187, 190, 193, 197, 631, 901, 903
The following routes will be explored for potential changes as part of the South Link Connections Project.
During this first phase of engagement, Metro will share information about the project scope and vision. We will also gather information about service needs by reviewing existing data and reports from recent engagement, interview key stakeholders and community-based organizations, and through a project-specific survey. This information will help inform the draft service concept for public feedback during Phase 2 engagement. Consider taking our survey to help impact the future of transit in South King County.
During this second phase of engagement, Metro will share proposed changes to project routes based on Phase 1 feedback. We will collect feedback on the draft service changes to learn more about community priorities and how they should inform changes to the service proposal.  Activities used to inform communities about engagement opportunities may include a press release, multilingual blog post, paid ads in diverse media, Transit Alerts, Rider Alerts, coach posters, distributing digital and/or printed multilingual materials, and multilingual information available on the Metro and Sound Transit websites. 
In the final phase of engagement, Metro will present updated service concepts to the public, explaining how community input from Phase 2 influenced these updates. We will seek feedback on ways to further improve the service concepts prior to finalizing the service proposal. Finally, we will summarize the previous phases of engagement and project development, review how community input and priorities influenced concept development and the final plan, and explain any other relevant next steps. 
Through a three-phase deliberate and transparent community engagement process, Metro removes barriers and provides opportunities for South King County communities to express their transit needs and have a meaningful role in shaping Metro’s route changes. We collaborate with local communities to use meaningful, inclusive and community driven approaches to inform, gather feedback, evaluate, and collaboratively decide optimum route changes for South King County communities.
Virtual Community Information Session #2
April 21, 2024 10:30 AM
Metro is forming a South Link Connections Mobility Board that is representative of the project area and equitably represents groups of people historically left out of decision-making conversations related to transit and who are disproportionately affected by these decisions. The Mobility Board’s primary role is to collaborate with Metro staff to develop and refine a coordinated transit network in South King County.
Metro is forming a team of external stakeholders to serve as a concept review board, known as the Partner Review Board. The Board includes representatives from jurisdictions and major institutions in the project area, leaders of community-based organizations, and representatives from partner transit agencies. The Partner Review Board’s primary role is to review and provide comment on service concepts developed by the Mobility Board.