Issaquah Highlands’ newest transportation option – Route 628 Community Shuttle – is about to get even better. Route 628, which provides local weekday connections from Issaquah Highlands to Snoqualmie, and North Bend, is shifting its morning schedule later to provide another trip during the busy morning commute.
The new trip will now leave the Issaquah Highlands Park and Ride at 7:55am from Bay 1 and arrive at the North Bend Premium Outlet Mall at 8:20 am. As of September 28th 2015 the first Route 628 trip out of Issaquah Highlands Park and Ride (P&R) will leave at 6:23am. The 5:52 am trip from Issaquah Highlands P&R to North Bend will be cancelled due to lack of use.
Route 628 has been in operation since February 2015, but after only six months it’s already one of the most popular transit options in the Snoqualmie Valley carrying over 50 riders every day. Residents from North Bend and Snoqualmie can ride the 628 and make connections in the Issaquah Highlands, saving parking spaces at the Park and Ride. Issaquah Highlands residents can take this efficient route 628 to go eastbound to the Mt. Si Senior Center, North Bend Premium Outlet Mall, or downtown Snoqualmie.
Residents in Issaquah Highlands can also take advantage of the Flexible Service Areas to travel to/from NE Park Drive or NE Discovery Drive to the Park and Ride. Simply call 855-233-6043 at least 2 hours ahead of time to book a trip. This is a great way to access the Issaquah Highlands Park and Ride or Swedish Medical Center. See table inset for bookable times.
Route 628 is a demonstration project brought to you through a partnership between King County Metro, and the Cities of Issaquah, Snoqualmie, and North Bend. To learn more about this and other Alternative Services projects visit http://metro.kingcounty.gov/programs-projects/alternative-services/.
Please note: If you have an ORCA card, you can hop on the Metro Route 628 along Park Drive, ride it to the Issaquah Highlands Park and Ride, and then ‘transfer’ to either a Metro or Sound Transit bus. Think about this as the weather turns this fall and the now rainy walk up and down Park Drive is no longer fun. Find more information about transfers HERE.
