Bingo! Metro scores a property on its road out of Ridgecrest bus base

King County Metro purchased a former Les Schwab lot on Aurora Avenue for $2. 9 million on May 6, 2025, as part of its efforts to relocate the Access paratransit facility from the Ridgecrest neighborhood. The move follows ongoing disputes with the City of Shoreline, which recently amended zoning laws to prohibit bus bases in Ridgecrest. Shoreline officials argue that the current Metro Access base was never legally permitted, citing a ban on vehicle storage at the site since 2008. Metro emphasized the necessity of the Ridgecrest location for providing paratransit services in North King County and requested six years to find a new site.

The newly acquired property is 0. 96 acres, significantly smaller than the current 2. 6-acre Ridgecrest base. In its 2025 budget, Metro allocated funds specifically for this relocation initiative. A spokesperson confirmed that the purchase of the Les Schwab property is a crucial milestone in the transition process.

Metro is expected to move its Access services to the new site over the coming years, with a deadline to vacate the Ridgecrest property by June 30, 2027.