New bus route for Valley?

King County Metro will hold an open house to discuss Interstate 90 transit service from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27 at Fall City Elementary School, 33314 S.E. 42nd St., Fall City.

King County Metro will hold an open house to discuss Interstate 90 transit service from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27 at Fall City Elementary School, 33314 S.E. 42nd St., Fall City.

Metro has proposed a series of bus service revisions along the I-90 corridor east of Issaquah affecting residents of North Bend, Snoqualmie, Snoqualmie Ridge, Fall City and Preston.

The proposal would include direct service between North Bend, Snoqualmie and Seattle on a new Route 215. It would also revise existing Metro routes 209, 214, 922 and 929. Changes to Route 929 would bring more service to Carnation, Duvall, Redmond Ridge, and Redmond. Service would be eliminated to Preston; Route 922, which connects Carnation with Redmond, would be discontinued.

The changes, which could be in effect as early as September, “are intended to better match transit service to the needs of rapidly developing areas in and around” the east I-90 corridor, according to Metro.

At a recent North Bend City Council meeting, Mayor Ken Hearing said the revisions would “improve our service monumentally.” He added that in the past, Metro had been reluctant to increase service because of lack of ridership. With a North Bend park and ride slated to be completed in 2009, the mayor asked residents to support the proposals.

“Voice your support,” Hearing said. “And take advantage of the service whenever possible.”

For information or to complete a questionnaire about transit service, visit www.kingcounty.gov/metro. Questionnaires are due by March 7.