Transit options still limited in icy city
SEATTLE -- With many streets still an icy mess and more snow on the way, Metro says its service on Wednesday will again be severely limited.
Buses will be making only about half their normal runs. See full list of suspended routes. Riders can also call Metro's customer information office at 206-553-3000.
Metro officials said they expect the reduced service level of service to continue through the end of the week.
In addition to impassable roads, Metro maintenance workers are also scrambling to keep the buses on the roads due to heavy wear and tear from snow and ice.
"I know these past two weeks have not been easy for our customers or our employees," Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond said in a statement. "I hope our customers can be patient for the rest of the week, while we work to get our system back to normal."
Would-be bus riders have been frustrated all week by either cancelled runs, or scheduled buses that simply never show up. Some that do see a bus coming are simply left to watch it blow by because it's already packed with passengers.
Those who do make it onto a bus are left to hope it doesn't get stuck or have to stop short of its scheduled route.
Taking a cab wasn't much easier. The cab companies are overwhelmed with calls, and streets too dangerous for residents to drive on are just as tough for cabbies.
On Wednesday, dispatchers at Yellow Cab took about 3,000 calls, but only 800 of those callers were lucky enough to actually get a cab.
"We told a lot of people 'sorry' today," said Jim O'Malley with Puget Sound Dispatch. "And, you know, it's difficult."
Seattle has 375 cabs on a normal day, but only 100 were running on Wednesday.
Buses will be making only about half their normal runs. See full list of suspended routes. Riders can also call Metro's customer information office at 206-553-3000.
Metro officials said they expect the reduced service level of service to continue through the end of the week.
In addition to impassable roads, Metro maintenance workers are also scrambling to keep the buses on the roads due to heavy wear and tear from snow and ice.
"I know these past two weeks have not been easy for our customers or our employees," Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond said in a statement. "I hope our customers can be patient for the rest of the week, while we work to get our system back to normal."
Would-be bus riders have been frustrated all week by either cancelled runs, or scheduled buses that simply never show up. Some that do see a bus coming are simply left to watch it blow by because it's already packed with passengers.
Those who do make it onto a bus are left to hope it doesn't get stuck or have to stop short of its scheduled route.
Taking a cab wasn't much easier. The cab companies are overwhelmed with calls, and streets too dangerous for residents to drive on are just as tough for cabbies.
On Wednesday, dispatchers at Yellow Cab took about 3,000 calls, but only 800 of those callers were lucky enough to actually get a cab.
"We told a lot of people 'sorry' today," said Jim O'Malley with Puget Sound Dispatch. "And, you know, it's difficult."
Seattle has 375 cabs on a normal day, but only 100 were running on Wednesday.