@Larsky1010 They are diesel-electric hybrids. At low speeds, they run off the battery and higher speeds (up to 30 mph) the engine runs on reduced power, reduced emissions mode.
@OranViri In the tunnels the buses run on whats called Hush-mode and thats because the buses engines turn off for a short time while people are getting on to reduce exhaust being spewed into the whole tunnels.
@dumbass1984 Short answer: Yes, slightly. Long answer: I don't think speed limits will go up because stations are so close together but the trains probably will run at full speed more often without buses in the way. Reliability will go up significantly.
@daniel83baez It's kind of ironic that they released footage of a youth being beaten up in the tunnel while the security guards stand by doing nothing.
@caltrain2 Yeah, us photographers often get mistaken for terrorists. With hundreds of photos and videos freely available online I fail to see the point. Station maps are available on Metro's website.
Actually, the trains run every day (including holidays) from 5 am to 1 am. Trains at least every 15 minutes during late night and early morning, every 10 minutes during the day, and every 7.5 during rush hours.
That's great to know, but I think they should run more frequently! In Toronto they run at most, every 5 minutes and during rush hours, they run more frequent than that!
We'll get there when the extensions to the University (under construction!) and Eastside open in 2016 and 2020. The Long Term plan will have them run every 2.5 minutes but that's a LONG time from now, think after 2030.
That may not keep up with the capacity demand currently and/or the near future. If we want to improve public transit, we should make small steps like this right away to keep up with traffic and gridlock demand.
I didn't know that was possible! I thought they ALWAYS ran on BOTH and that the battery was only so that they could use LESS diesel fuel while the electric battery powers the REST.
Such a cool idea...it's sorta like, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, goose, many ducks and a goose.
You can see when the trains are coming, the signal system clears the buses then an open space for the train...then, right after, all the bunched up buses just pile into the station.
Smart concept though...at least the buses keep moving forward, not stuck in the downtown traffic.
wow, New york city comes no where close to this. During rush hour, for buses for that matter, the transit systems pumps out more buses to compensate. makes sense, but the massive traffic already present just builds up the busses, so at one stop, you can expect around 4 of the same bus! and the drivers all rush to finish the route so theres no stopping. and when the busses, stop, on narrower streets, like in brooklyn, all traffic behind stops too.
They are all different routes. They go north, south and east of Seattle. The current tunnel routes are the 71, 72, 73, 74, 101, 102, 106, 150, 194, 212, 217, 225, 229, 255 (my route!), 256, 301 and 550. The 194 will be deleted in Feb 2010. 71, 72, 73, 74 all go to the U-District before branching off. Those four will likely be cut back between 20162020 when Link replaces the UW-Downtown portion. The 41 will be replaced when Link reaches Northgate in 2020. East Link replaces the 550 in 2020.
To reduce duplicate service and reallocate resources for better service to get people to Link stations. The 194 is the Downtown-SeaTac Airport-Federal Way Express. The Airport station opens in December. Metro revises its service three times a year in February, June, and September.
The 194 will no longer exist. Service to the Airport will be replaced by Link light rail. Service from Seattle direct to Federal Way will be replaced by increased service on Route 577 Express. Service to other points between the Airport and Federal Way will be replaced by increased service on Route 574 Express.
The idea of running buses in a subway tunnel doesn't sound like a very 'Sound' idea to me. Did you say this was rush hour??? I love the buses though. I didn't notice any rigids
Yes. Trains are planned to run every 7.5 minutes during rush hour and every 10 most of the day.
The tunnel opened in 1990 for buses. It was retrofitted in 2004 and reopened in 2007 for light rail. The buses you see are hybrid-electric buses with a special tunnel running mode to reduce emissions. They replaced high-floor dual mode articulated buses which ran off overhead trolley wires.
I see. It's starting to make sense. When the tram is fully operational the buses will obviously be moved elsewhere. Interestingly where are the people?? It is rush hour and there appears to be more buses than people. I really like the vid
Thank you! I don't remember the time but it was probably the beginning of rush hour (3 pm). It gets busy around 5 pm when most get off work. Also, most buses stop at the end of platforms one of which (the busier one) is not seen in the video.
that looks like a VERY confusing station to navagiate! ...was it designed to allow buses like that? or did they add buses at a later date?
CandyLaStar 3 weeks ago
@CandyLaStar the buses came first in 1990. Trains started running in 2009. It was designed for both.
OranViri 1 week ago
Those are trams..
djdjerojr 2 months ago
How are buses powered in the tunnel now that there is only a single catenary in place of the double wire overhead they used to have?
Larsky1010 1 year ago
@Larsky1010 They are diesel-electric hybrids. At low speeds, they run off the battery and higher speeds (up to 30 mph) the engine runs on reduced power, reduced emissions mode.
OranViri 1 year ago
@OranViri In the tunnels the buses run on whats called Hush-mode and thats because the buses engines turn off for a short time while people are getting on to reduce exhaust being spewed into the whole tunnels.
FASSY524 1 year ago
Will the speed of Link trains go up once U-Link comes online and buses no longer run in the tunnel?
dumbass1984 1 year ago
@dumbass1984 Short answer: Yes, slightly. Long answer: I don't think speed limits will go up because stations are so close together but the trains probably will run at full speed more often without buses in the way. Reliability will go up significantly.
OranViri 1 year ago
have seattle ever thought of putting a live webcam online of the transit tunnel 24/7?
daniel83baez 2 years ago
@daniel83baez they dont becouse of terrorists they think that if there was one they would see how it works and map the station then blow it up
caltrain2 2 years ago
@daniel83baez It's kind of ironic that they released footage of a youth being beaten up in the tunnel while the security guards stand by doing nothing.
@caltrain2 Yeah, us photographers often get mistaken for terrorists. With hundreds of photos and videos freely available online I fail to see the point. Station maps are available on Metro's website.
OranViri 2 years ago
So, the trains and buses share the same route?
fixierider97 2 years ago
In the tunnel they do. Then they branch out at the ends to different destinations.
OranViri 2 years ago
i wish they had a live webcam for the transit tunnel. it would be awesome
daniel83baez 2 years ago
How do those light rail trains make it up the grade at the north end of the tunnel?
cochranexyz 2 years ago
The trains can climb that grade which is 5-6% I don't know what's the max.
OranViri 2 years ago
Do the DE60LFs use the electric part of the engine only when in the tunnel?
ttcgeek 2 years ago
Why do the trains operate only during weekday rush hours? Why don't they run 7 days a week as well like the OTHER services? It doesn't make sense?!
Moose2482 2 years ago
Actually, the trains run every day (including holidays) from 5 am to 1 am. Trains at least every 15 minutes during late night and early morning, every 10 minutes during the day, and every 7.5 during rush hours.
OranViri 2 years ago
That's great to know, but I think they should run more frequently! In Toronto they run at most, every 5 minutes and during rush hours, they run more frequent than that!
Moose2482 2 years ago
We'll get there when the extensions to the University (under construction!) and Eastside open in 2016 and 2020. The Long Term plan will have them run every 2.5 minutes but that's a LONG time from now, think after 2030.
OranViri 2 years ago
That may not keep up with the capacity demand currently and/or the near future. If we want to improve public transit, we should make small steps like this right away to keep up with traffic and gridlock demand.
Moose2482 2 years ago
I didn't know that was possible! I thought they ALWAYS ran on BOTH and that the battery was only so that they could use LESS diesel fuel while the electric battery powers the REST.
Moose2482 2 years ago
Yeah, it works pretty much like a Prius.
OranViri 2 years ago
alot of buses less light rail
daniel83baez 2 years ago
for now, they are building more light rail
dumbass1984 2 years ago
Such a cool idea...it's sorta like, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, goose, many ducks and a goose.
You can see when the trains are coming, the signal system clears the buses then an open space for the train...then, right after, all the bunched up buses just pile into the station.
Smart concept though...at least the buses keep moving forward, not stuck in the downtown traffic.
pcadiente 2 years ago
the "duck duck duck" thing is happening because the light rail right now only goes to one quadrant of the city.
dumbass1984 2 years ago
wow, New york city comes no where close to this. During rush hour, for buses for that matter, the transit systems pumps out more buses to compensate. makes sense, but the massive traffic already present just builds up the busses, so at one stop, you can expect around 4 of the same bus! and the drivers all rush to finish the route so theres no stopping. and when the busses, stop, on narrower streets, like in brooklyn, all traffic behind stops too.
tootsie400 2 years ago
feels good to this Seattle has something better than New york that's transit related
dumbass1984 2 years ago
there's going to be a lot of traffic in
the tunnels..
FlipSydeGamerz 2 years ago
i'm guessing that now that the Link light rail is open, the busses will have to go somewhere else??
Lukelr 2 years ago
no the buses will be able to run in the tunnel along with the link light rail..
which is what theyre going to do.
FlipSydeGamerz 2 years ago 2
Nope. They share the tunnel with the light rail.
Apollo580 2 years ago
There's still room to share. Buses won't be out of the tunnel until at least 2016. Rumors have it they might stay longer.
OranViri 2 years ago
I.C. DO they share the same route?!
Moose2482 2 years ago
ALL of the vehicles I mean!
Moose2482 2 years ago
They are all different routes. They go north, south and east of Seattle. The current tunnel routes are the 71, 72, 73, 74, 101, 102, 106, 150, 194, 212, 217, 225, 229, 255 (my route!), 256, 301 and 550. The 194 will be deleted in Feb 2010. 71, 72, 73, 74 all go to the U-District before branching off. Those four will likely be cut back between 20162020 when Link replaces the UW-Downtown portion. The 41 will be replaced when Link reaches Northgate in 2020. East Link replaces the 550 in 2020.
OranViri 2 years ago
Why will the 194 be cut?
Moose2482 2 years ago
To reduce duplicate service and reallocate resources for better service to get people to Link stations. The 194 is the Downtown-SeaTac Airport-Federal Way Express. The Airport station opens in December. Metro revises its service three times a year in February, June, and September.
OranViri 2 years ago
Does THIS mean the train will COMPLETELY replace the 194 Route, or will they have it running ABOVE ground instead?!
Moose2482 2 years ago
The 194 will no longer exist. Service to the Airport will be replaced by Link light rail. Service from Seattle direct to Federal Way will be replaced by increased service on Route 577 Express. Service to other points between the Airport and Federal Way will be replaced by increased service on Route 574 Express.
OranViri 2 years ago
well is'nt that special!
karoslif 2 years ago 2
The idea of running buses in a subway tunnel doesn't sound like a very 'Sound' idea to me. Did you say this was rush hour??? I love the buses though. I didn't notice any rigids
transit2203 2 years ago
Yes. Trains are planned to run every 7.5 minutes during rush hour and every 10 most of the day.
The tunnel opened in 1990 for buses. It was retrofitted in 2004 and reopened in 2007 for light rail. The buses you see are hybrid-electric buses with a special tunnel running mode to reduce emissions. They replaced high-floor dual mode articulated buses which ran off overhead trolley wires.
OranViri 2 years ago
I see. It's starting to make sense. When the tram is fully operational the buses will obviously be moved elsewhere. Interestingly where are the people?? It is rush hour and there appears to be more buses than people. I really like the vid
transit2203 2 years ago
Thank you! I don't remember the time but it was probably the beginning of rush hour (3 pm). It gets busy around 5 pm when most get off work. Also, most buses stop at the end of platforms one of which (the busier one) is not seen in the video.
OranViri 2 years ago
The tunnel was built for both buses and light rail trains. So it is a very "Sound" idea.
Apollo580 2 years ago