Depending on customer feedback, transit riders could see bus service to Federal Way’s City Hall and nearby public facilities.

As part of a recent service update, King County Metro Transit has executed changes to many routes. It is proposing adjustments to its Route 903. Currently, transportation is provided via a van that circles nearby, but never stops at, some of the city’s most-used facilities. If residents and riders are willing to sacrifice some service along 1st Avenue South, King County Metro could instead provide service to the key facilities by next fall.

Riders and the city have long requested route 903 include the community center, 876 S. 333rd St., Celebration Park and City Hall, 33325 8th Ave. S., which also houses police and the municipal court. The Dial-a-Ride program is available to residents wanting immediate bus service to the facilities. But the service is not consistent. It diverts from route 903 when time allows. Adding another permanent bus route is out of the question.

“Given our financial situation, it’s not possible to add another bus to the schedule,” said Jack Lattemann, King County Metro Transit lead transit service planner.

Instead, route 903’s regular service could be altered. Now, the van travels along South 324th Street, 11th Place South, South 320th Street, 1st Avenue South and South 333rd Street. It could serve the public facilities seven days a week every approximately 30 minutes on a route that included South 333rd Street, Park Road and 13th Place South between 1st Avenue South and South 324th Street, Latteman said.

But to do this, some stops along 1st Avenue South will have to be sacrificed, he said. About 13 blocks along the strip would be dropped, he said. Transit riders would have to walk either north or south to receive service.

Public meeting

King County Metro and the city are interested in seeing how transit-goers feel about the proposed change. A public meeting will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 24 at City Hall in council chambers. There, Metro staff will answers questions and provide information, including a map of the possible new route.

“We’ll see what the general sentiment is and if it’s positive, we’d likely recommend to the King County Council, in April, that this change be made,” Latteman said.

Those unable to make the meeting may express their opinions by March 5 by completing an online questionnaire at www.kingcounty.gov/metro/feedback or e-mailing comments to Mary Coltrane at mary.coltrane@kingcounty.gov. Written comments may be submitted to King County Department of Transportation, Community Relations, KSC-TR-0824, 201 S. Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98104.