Will transit reduce our traffic?

Supporters of a bigger Town Center hope that denser development will attract more transit that
commuters will use and will actually reduce our peak hour traffic.

Is that likely?

Consider the city of Shoreline. In many ways, it is a best case for transit. Approximately 25,000 residents work outside the city (2022). A strong majority probably work in Seattle. Sound Transit Link light rail provides excellent service for these potential customers. Shoreline has been emphasizing development within ½ mile of the Link stations and discouraging parking for new housing units.

How well has it worked? In recent months, the average total Link boardings for weekdays at both Shoreline stations was 2200. This means that fewer than 10% of commuters choose this very convenient service.

In Sammamish?

Of course Sammamish will not have light rail. According to Sound Transit and King County Metro plans, it won’t even have a bus that runs to a major employment center. Some commuters might take a bus to reach the Link station in Redmond, but studies have shown that people are less likely to take transit if they need to transfer.

Rider statistics and even a glance at nearby park and ride lots and transit garages make it clear that most people don’t want to take the bus. Remember that people who drive to the Link station in Redmond do not reduce traffic in Sammamish.

Let’s face it. Most commuters in Sammamish will continue to drive to work, and most workers in Town Center will join them on our already busy roads. Hope is not a plan.

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