Transit & Traffic

Transit should support communities, not frustrate them.

However, for many Kirkland residents, transit access is declining as growth is accelerating.

Despite plans to concentrate development near bus corridors and transit hubs, Kirkland faces:

• Decreased service reliability on critical routes, like the 255, which was rerouted to UW in 2020 and continues to experience frequent cancellations

• Cancelled direct bus access to downtown Seattle, creating inconvenience for commuters and increasing reliance on cars

• An 85th Street BRT Station is designed without a park-and-ride, limiting its practical accessibility beyond a walkable radius

• Discontinued or consolidated service in many neighborhoods—especially in north and east Kirkland, which have not been prioritized for future Metro investments

Kirkland’s 2044 growth targets anticipate tens of thousands of new residents. Bus transit infrastructure isn’t keeping pace.

Without dependable, frequent, efficient, robust public transportation options:

• Residents drive more, worsening traffic, and requiring more parking spaces

• Carbon emissions rise, despite sustainability goals

• Low-income families have fewer mobility options

Even where high-capacity transit is planned, it’s often paired with lane reductions, parking reductions or road narrowing, slowing local traffic and impacting overall mobility for residents who can’t rely on public transit day-to-day.

We believe growth must be matched with public transit that works. Building density without delivering on increased service brings more cars, shifting the burden to our streets and families.

K-Line, lane reductions and minimum parking DECISIONS are ongoing.

Traffic, Parking and Transit are intersectional topics that traverse through various planning and transportation projects City Staff, Planning Commission and Council are routinely discussing, as well as deferring to outside agencies like Metro.

Irreversible decisions are being made, such as redeveloping transit infrastructure at the Houghton Park’n’Ride site, and expensive land acquisition from home owners for 2 minutes of savings for future bus riders passing through. These decisions continue to erode trust with neighborhoods - and make governing bodies and agencies look disconnected and lacking in complete stakeholder input - as more is being taken away from more existing households than benefits being provided.

The amount of community backlash that has occurred from recent decisions around transit and parking is symptomatic of larger issues around transparency and comprehensive, effective community engagement.

Join our Facebook group to keep up with some of our most pro-active community members on the latest K-Line developments, Kraken facility dealings, and the impact of state mandates around reduced parking minimums for new development.