Currently, Route 8 has an awkward deviation from MLK to 23rd Ave between Yesler and Jackson. The only important landmark along the deviation is Washington Middle School, and that already has frequent service with Route 48.
Metro could save lots of money by running Route 8 straight on MLK instead of doing the deviation. Buses will also run much more efficiently without the deviation. People who need to access 23rd Ave between Yesler and Jackson can transfer from Route 8 to Route 14 or 27.
As a regular user of the 8, I 100% agree. It would be great if this blog could create a post on easy fixes like this that would substantially help bus routes.
I agree that it is frustrating. I used to ride it when I lived in the CD and would go to or from SeaTac.
Another alternative: I sometimes wonder if it would be better to simply switch the 8 and 48 south of Jackson. Specifically, the 48 would run up/down along 23rd Avenue between Montlake and Jackson, then use Jackson, then use MLK between Jackson and Mt. Baker Station. The 8 would follow MLK between Madison and Yesler, then use Yesler and then use 23rd between Yesler and Rainier Ave (connecting Mt. Baker Station). That would put two turns on each route, rather than no turns on Route 48 and 4 turns on Route 8.
Assuming that the Route 7/48 BRT project evolves, this would be set up as the natural path to follow to align the routes as southern Rainier Ave is to be tied to MLK north of Mt. Baker station in the future.
MLK riders between Yesler and Madison, as well as John Street riders, would have a bus that goes past Judkins Park Link station on the way to Mt. Baker when it opens in 2023.
Still, it really does boil down to neighborhood access needs are on both 23rd and MLK. I know that there are some important but not well-known community destinations on each street between Jackson and McClellan. I’m not sure what is the best route to connect them.
I sometimes also wonder why Metro routes northbound 8 buses on McClellan. McCellan is a horrible turn for buses, and buses must make a hard right then almost immediate prepare for a left turn onto MLK. Bayview has a right-turn island and seems like it would be much easier for buses. It would also allow for a stop near Rainier and Bayview — a much closer stop for Route 8 riders leaving the QFC, Bartell’s and Lowe’s that want to ride Route 8 after running errands once getting of a Link train.
Finally, the way that Route 4 south of Jackson is configured in the future could also influence things. While that’s a separate topic, it’s possible that Route 4 (with new wire) could be the way to provide a second direct access route to the Judkins Park station entrance on 23rd — a route that would then provide direct service between Swedish Cherry Hill and Seattle U with Judkins Park station..
Route 8 turns at McClellan because that is where the Mt Baker TC is. I do agree that the turn is not very convenient. Maybe Route 8 could be extended to Columbia City similar to the old 42/48.
I spoke to a Metro staff person about this once. Essentially, a long long time ago, the 8 used to terminate at 23rd and Jackson with what’s now the Deviation being the turnaround loop. Later, when the 8 was extended further south, Metro staff followed the principles of the Hippocratic Oath and set it up so that the new route preserved literally every existing stop on the old route, in its exact location, including the stops in the turnaround loop, which had suddenly become a deviation. All of this happened many, many decades ago. In the years since, Metro moved on to other things, and the deviation remained, all the way to the present day.
Fundamentally, it is maddening that we have corridors like this, where you can’t go more than a mile or two on a bus without having to sit through a time-sucking detour.
Interestingly enough, Metro made a similar mistake just last year, during the U-Link-related restructuring of the 26. Previously, the 26 ended at Green Lake, and the stop at Woodlawn and Ravenna was the turnaround loop. After the restructure, they extended the route the Northgate, but kept the old turnaround loop (at least in the northbound direction), even though the existing turnaround loop stop was a mere 50 (flat) feet away from a pre-existing bus stop along the direct route (stay on Woodlawn), which already had a shelter and everything.
I thought the purpose was to access the commercial center at 23rd & Jackson as Steve says below. It also goes by the Yesler library, I don’t know how important these destinations are to people who live in the area, but it’s much more than just one middle school. It has already densified twice (first with the Promenade 23, then with the offices/condos across the street, and now Paul Allen is planning something big there).
The Woodlawn/Ravenna stop is such a case of status-quo literalism. Metro’s 2025 plan straightens it out to 55th-Latona-65th. That shows that even Metro wants to get rid of the backtracking, which is only three blocks from he current stops. I wish Metro would just do it now. But the thinking seems to be, put all the desired changes in the LRP, and implement it sometime between now and 2021 (when Roosevelt Station opens). The sooner the better.
I’ve been pushing on this for 4 or 5 years. The deviation was actually removed for a time while 23rd was under construction, and I believe it should have stayed that way given the parallel natures of the 8 and 48. Both serve Mt. Baker station to the south, and run in parallel at least through the central district.
If there is a compelling reason to keep the deviation, however, I’m happy to hear it.
I’ve always assumed that the purpose of the deviation is to provide a direct option for people who live in large swaths of the eastern CD to get to their neighborhood center (23rd from Jackson to Yesler). That stretch has shopping, banks, a library, a neighborhood community center, and other similar facilities — the closest such zone for people living along MLK for a fair ways to the south and north. But I admit I’ve never confirmed this with anyone; it just seemed obvious.
Even if that were indeed the goal, I.m not sure it’s worth it, given the trade-off with slowing down through-travelers.