At 12th and Union, Councilmember Rinck and advocates announce Better Bus Lanes campaign to speed up the 8 and push for better transit routes in the city

Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck announced the “Better Bus Lanes” campaign, aiming to improve bus services after the city reversed its decision to remove a red paint bus lane in Capitol Hill. Rinck highlighted the urgent need for frequent and reliable bus service on major corridors, standing alongside representatives from various transportation advocacy groups. The campaign proposes three key enhancements: establishing two-way bus lanes on Denny Way, making temporary bus lanes on Aurora Avenue permanent, and improving bus reliability on Rainier Avenue. Route 8, a historically underperforming bus line, remains a focal point, as data shows it frequently fails to meet Metro’s on-time performance goals. Rinck's initiative aligns with the city’s Vision Zero safety goals, which aim to reduce traffic-related fatalities.

Transportation advocates emphasize the importance of reliable transit options for the community. Mayor Bruce Harrell's recent comments about potential removals of RapidRide G elements add urgency to the campaign. The collaboration among various stakeholders reflects a growing movement for better transit solutions across Seattle.