Swift Blue Line

File:Pecks Drive Swift BRT station, Everett, WA.jpg

The Blue Line, designated internally as Community Transit Route 701,{{cite web |title=Swift Schedule: Aurora Village to Everett Swift Station |url=http://www.communitytransit.org/BusService/Schedule_ServiceChange/?route=Swift |url-status=dead |publisher=Community Transit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521152138/http://www.communitytransit.org/BusService/Schedule_ServiceChange/?route=Swift |archive-date=May 21, 2015 |access-date=July 3, 2015}} begins at Bays G and H at the south end of Everett Station.{{cite web |date=February 21, 2016 |title=Everett Transit Bus Schedule & Service Guide |url=http://everetttransit.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/286 |format=PDF |publisher=Everett Transit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304235731/http://everetttransit.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/286 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live |access-date=March 4, 2016}}{{rp|72}} Buses travel north on Smith Avenue, passing the station building and parking lots, and turn west onto Pacific Avenue towards Downtown Everett. The line continues west on Pacific, stopping at a station split between Wetmore and Colby avenues near the Snohomish County Government Campus, before turning south onto Rucker Avenue. The next station pair, split between 40th and 41st streets, serves The Everett Clinic and the Everett Memorial Stadium complex, as well as the northern terminus of the Interurban Trail.{{cite map |year=2009 |title=Swift Kiosk Map 1: Downtown Everett |url=http://www.commtrans.org/Projects/Documents/SwiftKioskMAPS%201.pdf |format=PDF |publisher=Community Transit |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823005558/http://www.commtrans.org/Projects/Documents/SwiftKioskMAPS%201.pdf |archive-date=August 23, 2012 |access-date=October 8, 2016}} Buses travel south in general purpose lanes on Evergreen Way, passing over State Route 526 north of Casino Road Station.{{cite map |year=2009 |title=Swift Kiosk Map 3: Casino Road and 4th Avenue |url=http://www.commtrans.org/Projects/Documents/SwiftKioskMAPS%203.pdf |format=PDF |publisher=Community Transit |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304212923/http://www.commtrans.org/Projects/Documents/SwiftKioskMAPS%203.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=October 8, 2016}} The road continues southwest as State Route 99 into the unincorporated community of Lake Stickney, where the Blue Line stops at Airport Road Station, a transfer with the Green Line to the Boeing Everett Factory and Mill Creek,{{cite web |title=Swift Green Line |url=https://www.communitytransit.org/projects/swift-2nd-line |publisher=Community Transit |accessdate=October 8, 2016}} and Lincoln Way Station north of an interchange with State Route 525.{{cite map |year=2009 |title=Swift Kiosk Map 4: Airport Road and Lincoln Way |url=http://www.commtrans.org/Projects/Documents/SwiftKioskMAPS%204.pdf |format=PDF |publisher=Community Transit |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305042318/http://www.commtrans.org/Projects/Documents/SwiftKioskMAPS%204.pdf |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |access-date=October 8, 2016}} The line enters the city of Lynnwood and moves into business access and transit (BAT) lanes at 148th Street Station,{{cite news |last=Sheets |first=Bill |date=May 27, 2011 |title=No right-turn lanes in Everett on Highway 99, yet |url=http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110527/BLOG17/110529862 |newspaper=The Everett Herald |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055352/http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110527/BLOG17/110529862 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=October 8, 2016}} where a queue jump signal for northbound buses was installed in 2012.{{cite web |title=Swift |url=https://www.communitytransit.org/busservice/swift |publisher=Community Transit |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}{{cite press release |author= |date=November 5, 2012 |title=Queue Jump Light Gives Swift a Head Start on Hwy 99 |url=http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1506 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127211442/http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1506 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 27, 2012 |location=Everett, Washington |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=July 3, 2015 }} The Blue Line continues south on State Route 99 through Lynnwood, serving the Lynnwood Crossroads area at 196th and 200th streets and the Edmonds College with a southbound-only stop at 204th Street, and continues into Edmonds to stop at the Edmonds Swedish Medical Center.{{cite map |year=2009 |title=Swift Kiosk Map 7: Crossroads/Heron and Gateway/216th Street |url=http://www.commtrans.org/Projects/Documents/SwiftKioskMAPS%207.pdf |format=PDF |publisher=Community Transit |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823012925/http://www.commtrans.org/Projects/Documents/SwiftKioskMAPS%207.pdf |archive-date=August 23, 2012 |access-date=October 8, 2016}} The line crosses over State Route 104 and enters the city of Shoreline in King County, before it turns east onto North 200th Street and reaches its southern terminus at Aurora Village Transit Center Bay 9.{{cite map |year=2009 |title=Swift Kiosk Map 8: 238th Street and Aurora Village Transit Center |url=http://www.commtrans.org/Projects/Documents/SwiftKioskMAPS%208.pdf |format=PDF |publisher=Community Transit |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823014124/http://www.commtrans.org/Projects/Documents/SwiftKioskMAPS%208.pdf |archive-date=August 23, 2012 |access-date=October 8, 2016}}{{cite web |title=Aurora Village Transit Center Boarding Locations |url=http://metro.kingcounty.gov/tops/parknride/boarding/aurora-village-tc.html |publisher=King County Metro |accessdate=July 3, 2015}}{{cite map |date=September 2019 |title=Community Transit Bus Plus: Schedules & Route Maps |map=Swift bus rapid transit |pages=37–59 |url=https://www.communitytransit.org/docs/default-source/bus-service/2019-09-bus-plus.pdf |publisher=Community Transit |accessdate=December 1, 2019}}{{google maps |title=Swift bus rapid transit |url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/47.9737617,-122.1974991/47.7741908,-122.3406286/@47.8753797,-122.4088367,11z/am=t/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!4m1!5i1 |accessdate=March 4, 2016}}

The Blue Line serves 34 stations, grouped into 16 pairs spaced approximately {{convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}} apart from each other, on its {{convert|16.7|mi|km|0|adj=mid|-long}} route.{{cite report |author=Otak |author-link=Otak (design firm) |date=May 27, 2008 |title=Swift Bus Rapid Transit Project SEPA Environmental Checklist |url=http://www.commtrans.org/Projects/Documents/SEPAChecklistFINAL.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103044826/http://www.commtrans.org/Projects/Documents/SEPAChecklistFINAL.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 3, 2011 |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=July 3, 2015}}{{rp|3–4}} Swift stations consist of a {{convert|40|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}}, {{convert|10|ft|m|adj=mid|-wide}} covered shelter on a {{convert|60 to 70|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}}, {{convert|10|in|cm|adj=mid|-high}} platform that allows for level boarding onto buses.{{rp|4}}{{cite press release |author= |date=June 21, 2010 |title=Swift Stations Will Get Curb Bumpers |url=http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1407 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706123630/http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1407 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 6, 2015 |location=Everett, Washington |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=July 3, 2015}} The platform and shelter also include a roadside beacon that is lit at night, graffiti-resistant weather barriers, two Parkeon ticket vending machines,{{cite web |date=July 3, 2008 |title=Board of Directors' Public Hearing and Meeting Minutes, July 3, 2008 |url=http://www.commtrans.org/News/Documents/Meetings/Minutes%20070308.doc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907085859/http://www.commtrans.org/News/Documents/Meetings/Minutes%20070308%2Edoc |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 7, 2014 |format=DOC |publisher=Community Transit |quote=Councilmember Deanna Dawson moved to approve this off-board fare collection strategy for the Swift BRT stations and authorize the CEO to purchase 62 ticket vending machines, supplies, spares, and management system, with contingency and taxes not-to-exceed $1,175,860, using the City of Seattle contract with Parkeon. Councilmember Michelle Angrick seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. |access-date=July 9, 2015}} two ORCA card readers, and a next bus arrival sign. Buses stop at all stations,{{cite press release |author= |date=December 1, 2014 |title=Swift Bus Rapid Transit Turns 5! |url=http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1586 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105200302/http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1586 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 5, 2015 |location=Everett, Washington |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=July 13, 2015 }} are allowed a dwell time of 10 seconds, and use curb bumpers to guide them closer to the platform.

Transfers from the Blue Line to other bus routes are possible at every station, served by shadow service running on the State Route 99 and Evergreen Way corridor between Blue Line stations and frequently-spaced stops. Community Transit route 101 runs from Aurora Village Transit Center to the Everett city limits at Airport Road Station, and Everett Transit routes 7 and 8 run on the Swift corridor within Everett.{{rp|35–50}}{{cite web |date=June 7, 2015 |title=Route 101: Aurora Village to Mariner Park & Ride |url=http://www.communitytransit.org/schedule/101/ |publisher=Community Transit |accessdate=July 8, 2015}} There are several intersecting routes that connect Blue Line to Sound Transit Express service on Interstate 5 in Lynnwood: three routes on 200th Street near Crossroads and Heron stations travel east to Lynnwood Transit Center; and two routes on 148th Street travel to Ash Way Park and Ride.{{cite map |year=2009 |title=Swift Kiosk Map 5: Lincoln Way and 148th Street |url=http://www.commtrans.org/Projects/Documents/SwiftKioskMAPS%205.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103050920/http://www.commtrans.org/Projects/Documents/SwiftKioskMAPS%205.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 3, 2011 |format=PDF |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=July 8, 2015}}{{cite map |title=Community Transit System Map: Snohomish County |url=http://www.commtrans.org/BusService/Documents/SystemMapJune2015.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709224147/http://www.commtrans.org/BusService/Documents/SystemMapJune2015.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2015-07-09 |format=PDF |date=June 2015 |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=July 8, 2015}} At Aurora Village Transit Center, the Blue Line provides a connection to the RapidRide E Line, a bus rapid transit route on Aurora Avenue that runs through Shoreline to Downtown Seattle.{{cite web |title=RapidRide E Line overview |url=http://metro.kingcounty.gov/travel-options/bus/rapidride/e-line/index.html |publisher=King County Metro |accessdate=July 8, 2015}} The Blue Line's terminals also provide a connection to regional services that run south to Seattle: Everett Station has Sounder commuter rail and Sound Transit Express bus routes to Seattle, and Shoreline North/185th Station is a station on the 1 Line.

;Notes

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The Blue Line runs at a headway of 10 minutes from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, its highest level of service with five buses per hour per direction.{{cite press release |date=September 4, 2018 |title=Swift Blue Line Returns to 10-Minute Service on Sept. 24 |url=https://www.communitytransit.org/news/news-releases/community-transit-news/2018/09/04/swift-blue-line-returns-to-10-minute-service-on-sept.-24 |publisher=Community Transit |accessdate=January 9, 2019}} Weekday service begins with a headway of 15 minutes during the early mornings and ends with 20-minute frequencies from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. On Saturdays, buses run every 15 minutes from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and every 20 minutes from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Blue Line buses run every 20 minutes during the morning and evening hours on Sundays and every 15 minutes during the midday hours between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Swift initially ran at a 10-minute headway, and had evening service end at midnight, until a major system-wide service reduction in February 2012 reduced its weekday headway to 12 minutes.{{cite web |date=February 2012 |title=Major Service Changes Start Feb. 20 |url=http://www.commtrans.org/2012changes |url-status=dead |publisher=Community Transit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217220900/http://www.commtrans.org/2012changes |archive-date=February 17, 2012 |access-date=July 9, 2015}}{{cite news |date=November 10, 2009 |title=Community Transit to launch hybrid BRT service |url=http://www.metro-magazine.com/bus/article/211316/community-transit-to-launch-hybrid-brt-service |work=Metro Magazine |accessdate=July 9, 2015}} Sunday service was suspended entirely from 2010 until 2015 due to budget cuts.{{cite press release |author= |date=May 27, 2010 |title=Agency Prepares for Sunday Service Suspension, Other Cuts, Effective June 13 |url=http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1403 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006123805/http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1403 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |location=Everett, Washington |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=July 8, 2015}}{{cite web |title=June 2015 Service Expansion & Fare Increase |url=http://www.communitytransit.org/junechanges/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908090617/http://www.communitytransit.org/junechanges/ |archive-date=September 8, 2015 |date=June 7, 2015 |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=July 8, 2015}} The 10-minute weekday frequency was restored in September 2018, and Saturday frequency was bumped from 20 minutes to 15 minutes in September 2019.{{cite news |date=September 19, 2019 |title=Community Transit expanding bus service starting Sunday |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/community-transit-expanding-bus-service-starting-sunday/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=December 1, 2019}} Service on the Blue Line was reduced to every 12 minutes on weekdays in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite press release |date=March 26, 2020 |title=Temporary Service Reductions to Begin Monday, March 30 |url=https://www.communitytransit.org/news/community-transit-news/2020/03/26/service-reductions-to-begin-monday-march-30 |publisher=Community Transit |accessdate=February 28, 2022}} Fare collection was also suspended until June 1 to increase physical distancing between passengers, drivers, and fare ambassadors.{{cite news |last=Sanders |first=Julia-Grace |date=July 5, 2020 |title=Community Transit drivers: Too soon to open the front doors |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/community-transit-drivers-too-soon-to-open-the-front-doors/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=February 28, 2022}} Full service was restored in September 2020.{{cite web |date=September 2, 2021 |title=2021–2026 Transit Development Plan |page=31 |url=https://www.communitytransit.org/docs/default-source/about-documents/community-transit_2021-transit-development-plan_adopted-9-2-21.pdf |publisher=Community Transit |accessdate=February 28, 2022}}

The Blue Line carried a total of 1,621,838 riders in 2015, making it the most popular route operated by Community Transit, and accounting for 16.2% of the agency's total ridership.{{rp|37}}

Blue Line bus rapid transit service on the State Route 99 corridor was preceded by decades of transit services traveling through southwestern Snohomish County, which ranged from an interurban railway to local buses. The Seattle–Everett Interurban Railway ran interurban service from 1910 to 1939 along the Pacific Highway, later U.S. Route 99 and State Route 99.{{cite web |last=Crowley |first=Walt |author-link=Walt Crowley |date=March 2, 2003 |title=Interurban rail service between Everett and Seattle begins on April 30, 1910. |url=http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=5341 |work=HistoryLink |accessdate=July 18, 2015}} During its heyday, the interurban ran at 30-minute headways throughout the day, and only made automatic stops at its terminals in Everett and Seattle.{{cite web |last=Bird |first=Frederick |date=May 2000 |title=The Seattle-Everett Interurban Railway, 1910–1939 |url=http://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9684 |format=PDF |publisher=Snohomish County |accessdate=July 18, 2015}}{{cite news |last=Moriarty |first=Leslie |date=July 31, 1997 |title=Ex-motorman recalls the age of the trolley |newspaper=The Everett Herald }} The railway was dismantled and later used as right of way for overhead power lines,{{cite web |title=Interurban Trail |url=http://www.ci.lynnwood.wa.us/PlayLynnwood/Parks/Interurban-Trail.htm |publisher=City of Lynnwood |accessdate=March 4, 2016}} until it was converted into a rail trail in the 1990s and 2000s, named the Interurban Trail.{{cite news |last=Lobos |first=Ignacio |date=September 9, 1994 |title=Lynnwood First To Finish Portion Of Interurban Trail – City To Unveil Link In Bicycle, Pedestrian Path Running From Everett To Seattle |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19940909/1929653/lynnwood-first-to-finish-portion-of-interurban-trail----city-to-unveil-link-in-bicycle-pedestrian-path-running-from-everett-to-seattle |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=July 18, 2015}}

Community Transit was founded in 1976 as the public transit agency for Snohomish County,{{cite press release |author= |date=October 3, 2011 |title=Community Transit Marks 35th Anniversary |url=http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1470 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722122250/http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1470 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 22, 2015 |location=Everett, Washington |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=March 4, 2016}} and introduced local service from Everett to Aurora Village via State Route 99 on route 750.{{cite map |author=Aerodrome Press & Maps To Go |title=Metro Transit Map |map=Community Transit SW Snohomish County Routes |date=November 1988 |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/tigerzombie/11944220976/ |via=Flickr |publisher=King County Metro |accessdate=July 18, 2015}} By 1991, the State Route 99 corridor had the highest ridership on both Community Transit and Everett Transit.{{cite news |last=Wodnik |first=Bob |date=October 20, 1991 |title=Along for the Ride: Buses offer sense of community along with transportation |page=A1 |work=The Everett Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-herald-along-for-the-ride-bus/143934540/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=March 22, 2024}} Route 750 was later renumbered to route 610,{{cite news |last=Murakami |first=Kery |date=February 3, 2002 |title=Community Transit up to speed |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/transportation/article/Community-Transit-up-to-speed-1079244.php |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |publisher=Hearst Corporation |accessdate=July 18, 2015}} which was later upgraded to 15-minute headways in the 1990s, and itself split into two routes, 100 and 101, in 2003.{{cite report |author=Manuel Padron and Associates |date=October 1998 |title=Sound Transit Regional Express Bus System Implementation Plan |chapter-url=http://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/html/board/resolutions/html/r98-46attachment.pdf |chapter=XI. Regional Express Bus Route Summary |page=20 |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=July 18, 2015}}{{cite news |author= |date=November 13, 2002 |title=Bus-service expansion OK'd; Alderwood Mall to see boost |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20021113/countydige13n/bus-service-expansion-okd-alderwood-mall-to-see-boost |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=July 18, 2015}} Community Transit route 100 ran during peak hours along the full length of the corridor from Aurora Village to Everett, while route 101 only ran the southern portion of the route to South Everett, with all-day service that required a transfer to Everett Transit to complete trips to downtown Everett.{{cite web |date=June 2009 |title=Route 100/101: Aurora Village / Mariner P&R or Everett Station |publisher=Community Transit |url=http://www.communitytransit.org/BusService/Schedule.cfm?route=100/101 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091127020627/http://www.communitytransit.org/BusService/Schedule.cfm?route=100%2F101 |archive-date=November 27, 2009 |access-date=March 4, 2016 }}

Planning for limited-stop bus service, which later evolved into bus rapid transit, began in the 1990s, with proposals to build bus lanes on State Route 99 between 145th Street NE in Shoreline and Casino Road (near State Route 526) in Everett.{{cite news |last=Bergsman |first=Jerry |date=July 27, 1990 |title=Bus Lanes Considered For Highway 99 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19900727/1084609/bus-lanes-considered-for-highway-99 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=July 18, 2015}} Sound Transit was established in 1996 as a regional transit authority, and selected the State Route 99 corridor as a route for its express bus system,{{cite web |date=May 31, 1996 |title=Sound Move: Launching a Rapid Transit System for the Puget Sound Region |url=http://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/news/reports/soundmove/199605_soundmovethetenyearregionaltransitsystemplan.pdf |pages=16–17 |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=July 18, 2015}} but later replaced it, before service began, with an express route on Interstate 5 from Everett to Northgate, while leaving SR 99 to Community Transit.{{cite news |last=Schaefer |first=David |date=November 9, 1998 |title=Sound Transit Picking Up Speed – Three-County Web Of Express-Bus Routes Nears Approval |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19981109/2782504/sound-transit-picking-up-speed |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=July 18, 2015}} Sound Transit funded the construction of business access and transit lanes on State Route 99 through Lynnwood from 244th Street to 148th Street in 2002, converting former parking lanes, and widening the highway in some areas, improving existing bus service, and laying the ground for a future bus rapid transit line.{{cite web |date=October 31, 2003 |title=Lynnwood State Route 99 Transit Lanes Project |url=http://www.soundtransit.org/stplans/snohomish/SR99.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031213015710/http://www.soundtransit.org/stplans/snohomish/SR99.htm |archive-date=December 13, 2003 |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=July 18, 2015}}

Community Transit's Strategic Planning Group published a recommendation in 2004, calling for bus rapid transit service on the State Route 99 corridor between Everett Station and Aurora Village Transit Center, featuring off-board fare collection, limited stops, and transit signal priority. The route alternatives proposed included express service from Aurora Village to Downtown Seattle via Aurora Avenue North or Interstate 5, as well as express service on Interstate 5 in Everett, if a partnership to share costs with Everett Transit for the Evergreen Way segment was not viable.{{cite report |author=Community Transit Strategic Planning Group |date=April 1, 2004 |title=Transit First: Transit Development Plan, 2004–2009 |chapter-url=http://www.commtrans.org/About/Documents/Purchasing/69-07%20Exhibit%201%20Transit%20Plan%202004-2009.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621031049/http://commtrans.org/About/Documents/Purchasing/69%2D07%20Exhibit%201%20Transit%20Plan%202004%2D2009%2Epdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 21, 2010 |publisher=Community Transit |chapter=Section 8: We've Only Just Begun |pages=82–90 |access-date=July 18, 2015}} In December 2005, the CT Board of Directors approved an accelerated planning schedule for a bus rapid transit project, to cost an estimated $15–20 million, and to begin service as the first such system in the Puget Sound region in 2008.{{cite press release |author= |date=December 1, 2005 |title=Agency to Launch Region's First Bus Rapid Transit System |url=http://communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1140 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722122232/http://communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1140 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 22, 2015 |location=Everett, Washington |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=July 18, 2015}}

{{multiple image|caption_align=center

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| image1 = Everett Station Swift terminal under construction, 2009.jpg

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Community Transit unveiled detailed plans for its bus rapid transit system, including the "Swift" name and logo, on July 26, 2006. The first line, located on State Route 99 between Everett and Aurora Village, would begin operating in 2008, with 10-minute headways and limited stops. The agency envisioned real-time arrival signs at stations, and transit signal priority, among other improvements over existing bus service.{{cite press release |author= |date=July 26, 2006 |title=New Bus Rapid Transit Route Called "Swift" |url=http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1170 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006180648/https://communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1170 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |location=Everett, Washington |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=July 18, 2015}}{{cite news |last=Alexander |first=Bryan |date=August 2, 2006 |title=Community Transit plans rapid bus service along 99 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20060802/swift02n/community-transit-plans-rapid-bus-service-along-99 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=July 18, 2015}}

The following year, CT purchased its fleet of 15 hybrid diesel-electric buses from New Flyer, at a cost of $879,028 per vehicle, to be paid for with state and federal subsidies.{{cite press release |author= |date=October 4, 2007 |title=Agency Chooses Hybrid Buses for Swift |url=http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1211 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722122236/http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1211 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 22, 2015 |location=Everett, Washington |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=July 18, 2015}}

Community Transit signed an agreement on December 5, 2007 with Everett Transit, which allowed for Swift to operate within Everett city limits with sales tax revenue from Everett funding stations, and transit signal priority within Everett. In exchange, Everett Transit would be allowed to expand its services into neighboring unincorporated areas that do not have CT service.{{cite press release |author= |date=December 5, 2007 |title=Community Transit, Everett Transit Become Partners |url=http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1229 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601022956/http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1229 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 1, 2012 |location=Everett, Washington |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=July 18, 2015}}{{cite news |last=Brooks |first=Diane |date=December 12, 2007 |title=Community Transit, Everett form 17-mile partnership |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/community-transit-everett-form-17-mile-partnership/ |newspaper=The Seattle Times |accessdate=July 18, 2015}}

A groundbreaking ceremony for the first Swift station, located at Airport Road in south Everett, was held on December 3, 2008, and was attended by Community Transit CEO Joyce Eleanor, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, and the mayors of Everett and Marysville.{{cite press release |author= |date=December 3, 2008 |title=Construction Begins on Swift Bus Rapid Transit |url=http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1299 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601023118/http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1299 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 1, 2012 |location=Everett, Washington |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=July 18, 2015}} Stations were constructed in two phases: the first consisting of utility relocation and pouring of the concrete shelter pad; the second being the installation of the shelters, beacons, and other amenities beginning in June 2009.{{cite news |date=June 24, 2009 |title=First Swift Shelter Being Constructed at 196th St. Southbound |url=http://www.commtrans.org/Projects/Documents/Swift%20Messenger%20Issue%2014.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710015013/http://www.commtrans.org/Projects/Documents/Swift%20Messenger%20Issue%2014.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 10, 2015 |work=Swift Messenger |issue=14 |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=July 18, 2015}} The first station to be completed, a training facility at the Merrill Creek bus base, was opened during a media event on May 5, 2009;{{cite press release |author= |date=May 5, 2009 |title=First Look at Swift Bus Rapid Transit |url=http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1321 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601023255/http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1321 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 1, 2012 |location=Everett, Washington |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=July 9, 2015}} in September 2009, the first station on the line was completed at 196th Street in Lynnwood.{{cite press release |author= |date=September 22, 2009 |title=First Swift Station Completed |url=http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1341 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722122233/http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1341 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 22, 2015 |location=Everett, Washington |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=July 18, 2015}}

The project cost a total of $29 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US|29000000|2009}}}} in {{CURRENTYEAR}}{{Inflation-fn|US}}), of which $15 million was paid for by grants from the Federal Transit Administration, Washington State Department of Transportation, as well as the partnership with Everett Transit. The grants also paid for the majority of the cost to operate Swift for its first three years of service, estimated at $5 million annually, allowing it to maintain 10-minute headways, while the rest of Community Transit service was reduced in 2010.{{cite news |last=Gutierrez |first=Scott |date=November 25, 2009 |title=Community Transit debuts 'Swift' line |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/transportation/article/Community-Transit-debuts-Swift-line-896901.php |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |publisher=Hearst Corporation |accessdate=November 26, 2009}}

Swift launched on November 29, 2009 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Crossroads Station, and a day of free rides from 4:00 p.m. to midnight.{{cite press release |author= |date=November 16, 2009 |title=Swift Bus Rapid Transit to Fly on Nov. 29 |url=http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1354 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006084547/http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1354 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |location=Everett, Washington |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=July 20, 2015}} The following day marked the beginning of regular service, with the first runs departing their termini at 5:00 am, and the new service attracted more than 1,500 riders, with end-to-end trips taking 20 minutes less compared to local buses on the same corridor.{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=November 30, 2009 |title=Bus rapid transit launches today from Everett to Shoreline |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/bus-rapid-transit-launches-today-from-everett-to-shoreline/ |newspaper=The Seattle Times |accessdate=July 20, 2015}}{{cite press release |author= |date=December 2, 2009 |title=Riders See Time Savings on Swift |url=http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1358 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304185958/http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1358 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |location=Everett, Washington |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=July 20, 2015}}{{cite news |last=Sheets |first=Bill |date=December 12, 2009 |title=Early raves roll in from first Swift bus riders |url=http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20091202/NEWS01/712029855#Early.raves.roll.in.from.first.Swift.bus.riders |newspaper=The Everett Herald |publisher=The Washington Post Company |accessdate=November 26, 2009}} Swift debuted as the first bus rapid transit line in the state of Washington, ahead of King County's RapidRide, opening a year later in 2010,{{cite press release |date=October 1, 2010 |title=Metro's new RapidRide "A" Line to connect Tukwila and Federal Way launches Oct. 2 |url=http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/NewsCenter/NewsReleases/2010/October/nr100110_rapidride.aspx |publisher=King County Metro |accessdate=November 25, 2015}} and one of the longest lines in the country when it opened.

Existing local service on the State Route 99 was reduced on November 29 to accommodate the introduction of Swift. Community Transit eliminated route 100, a peak only service on the corridor, and reduced weekday headways on route 101 from 15 minutes to 20 minutes.{{cite press release |author= |date=November 16, 2009 |title=Service Changes Include Swift, Other Route Adjustments |url=http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1355 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304193505/http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1355 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |location=Everett, Washington |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=July 20, 2015}} Everett Transit reduced weekday headways on route 9, running from Airport Road Station to the Everett Community College, from 20 minutes to 30 minutes.{{cite news |last=Sheets |first=Bill |date=November 21, 2009 |title=Everett Transit reorganizing bus routes for new Swift service starting late November |url=http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20091121/NEWS01/711219902 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529172655/http://heraldnet.com/article/20091121/NEWS01/711219902 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 29, 2010 |newspaper=The Everett Herald |publisher=The Washington Post Company |access-date=July 20, 2015 }}

The successful launch of Swift, which saw ridership grow to 3,000 daily boardings in its first five months of service, earned Community Transit a Vision 2040 Award from the Puget Sound Regional Council in May 2010.{{cite web |year=2010 |title=Congratulations 2010 VISION 2040 Award Winners |url=http://www.psrc.org/about/awards/2010wins/ |publisher=Puget Sound Regional Council |access-date=July 20, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924082823/http://www.psrc.org/about/awards/2010wins/ |archive-date=September 24, 2015 }} The agency also received two bronze Summit Creative Awards for the launch of Swift, as well as instructional videos on riding Swift that were published on YouTube.{{cite press release |author= |date=May 24, 2010 |title=Swift Earns Vision 2040 Award |url=http://www.commtrans.org/newsrelease/1401 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306051332/http://www.commtrans.org/newsrelease/1401 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |location=Everett, Washington |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=July 20, 2015}}

Four infill stations located in Everett were added to Swift in December 2010 and January 2011: a split pair at Madison Street and Pecks Drive, filling a nearly {{convert|2|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} gap between Casino Road and 50th Street, and a pair at 112th Street. The stations were paid for by $1.6 million in regional mobility grants from the Washington State Department of Transportation to Everett Transit, awarded in May 2009.{{cite news |last=Sheets |first=Bill |date=December 21, 2010 |title=New Everett Swift bus stop opens |url=http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20101221/NEWS01/712219938 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224030651/http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20101221/NEWS01/712219938 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 24, 2010 |newspaper=The Everett Herald |publisher=The Washington Post Company |access-date=July 21, 2015 }} An additional southbound Swift station, College Station at 204th Street SW in Lynnwood, was opened on February 3, 2016. It has no matching northbound station and serves Edmonds College. It was originally proposed with the rest of the Lynnwood stations, but was delayed while waiting for the City of Lynnwood to extend 204th Street and build a traffic signal at its intersection with State Route 99. A northbound station at 196th Street opened in August 2023 as part of preparations for the future Orange Line, which has a transfer at the intersection. It is the first station to use an updated Swift design with longer windscreens, improved station signage and digital kiosks, and a new roof.{{cite press release |date=August 21, 2023 |title=Swift Blue Line Station at Hwy 99 and 196th St Now Open |url=https://www.communitytransit.org/news-and-events/article-detail/2023/08/21/swift-blue-line-station-at-hwy-99-and-196th-st-now-open |publisher=Community Transit |accessdate=September 6, 2023}}

Swift stations were given a number of small improvements after the line opened. Curb bumpers were installed in June 2010 to help guide buses closer to the raised platform, and reduce the gap at the door. In 2012, a queue jump signal was installed northbound at the north end of the BAT lanes at 148th Street, allow Swift buses to merge into traffic. Real-time arrival signs debuted at Swift stations in 2013, featuring a countdown to the arrival of the next bus that is estimated using GPS units on coaches.{{cite news |last=Munguia |first=Martin |date=September 5, 2013 |title=Next Bus Signs Live on Swift! |url=http://communitytransit.blogspot.com/2013/09/next-bus-signs-live-on-swift.html |work=Community Transit Blog |publisher=Community Transit |accessdate=July 21, 2015}}{{cite press release |author= |date=October 23, 2012 |title=Transit Technologies Project Launched |url=https://communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1504 |location=Everett, Washington |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=July 21, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606143240/http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1504 |archive-date=June 6, 2013 }} In June 2015, the Washington State Department of Transportation removed part of the refuge island at the intersection of State Route 99 and Airport Road to create a through lane exclusively for Swift buses.{{cite web |date=July 2015 |title=SR 99 – Airport Rd. Intersection Transit Queue Bypass Safety Improvements |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR99/AirportRdInterTransQueueBypsSafeImprov/ |publisher=Washington State Department of Transportation |accessdate=July 21, 2015}}{{cite news |last=Slager |first=Melissa |date=April 9, 2015 |title=New bus lane to ease flow on Highway 99 at Airport Road |url=http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150409/BLOG17/150409154 |newspaper=The Everett Herald |publisher=Sound Publishing |accessdate=July 21, 2015}}

Bus service on Aurora Avenue North, the continuation of State Route 99 in Shoreline and Seattle, was upgraded to bus rapid transit with the introduction of the RapidRide E Line in February 2014.{{cite press release |author= |date=February 10, 2014 |title=Metro's RapidRide E Line debuts Feb. 15 |url=http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/NewsCenter/NewsReleases/2014/February/nr021014elinelaunch.aspx |location=Seattle, Washington |publisher=King County Metro |accessdate=July 21, 2015}} The line terminates at Aurora Village Transit Center, allowing for transfers to Swift.{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=February 15, 2014 |title=Aurora Avenue North bus now RapidRide |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/aurora-avenue-north-bus-now-rapidride/ |newspaper=The Seattle Times |accessdate=July 21, 2015}} On August 12, 2016, Community Transit announced a rebrand for Swift to the "Swift Blue Line", while the planned Swift II line would become the Green Line.{{cite press release |author= |date=August 12, 2016 |title=New Names: Swift Blue Line & Swift Green Line! |url=http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1663 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812222007/http://www.communitytransit.org/newsrelease/1663 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 12, 2016 |location=Everett, Washington |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=August 12, 2016}} The Green Line opened on March 24, 2019, and connects with the Blue Line at Airport Road Station.{{cite news |last=Giordano |first=Lizz |date=March 21, 2019 |title=From Bothell to Boeing: Green Line bus route begins Sunday |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/major-changes-coming-to-community-transit-in-march/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=March 24, 2019}}

The Blue Line was extended through Shoreline to connect with Link light rail at Shoreline North/185th station on September 14, 2024. The extension opened two weeks after the station did as part of the Lynnwood Link Extension.{{cite news |last=Hansen |first=Jordan |date=August 5, 2024 |title=Sound Transit exploring paid parking at Lynnwood light rail station |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/sound-transit-exploring-paid-parking-at-lynnwood-light-rail-station/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=August 8, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Dehais |first=Nicholas |date=September 3, 2024 |title=What to know about connecting to the new Lynnwood light rail line |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/what-to-know-about-connecting-to-the-new-lynnwood-light-rail-line/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=September 19, 2024}} Community Transit selected the Meridian Avenue corridor for the extension in June 2020 to prioritize connections at the existing transit center over two other options on Aurora Avenue.{{cite press release |date=June 4, 2020 |title=Community Transit Announces Preferred Route for Swift Blue Line Extension to Light Rail in Shoreline |url=https://www.communitytransit.org/news/community-transit-news/2020/06/04/swift-blue-line-extension-route-selected |publisher=Community Transit |accessdate=June 26, 2020}}

{{Portal|Buses |United States}}

• List of bus rapid transit systems in North America
• RapidRide

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Swift Bus Rapid Transit}}

{{Attached KML|display=inline,title}}

• {{Official website|http://www.communitytransit.org/swift/}}
• [https://www.communitytransit.org/route/701 Route schedule]

{{Puget Sound Transit}}

Category:2009 establishments in Washington (state)

Category:2009 in transport

Category:Bus rapid transit in Washington (state)

Category:Transportation in King County, Washington

Category:Transportation in Snohomish County, Washington

Category:Bus routes in the United States