SVT in the News

Shuttle bus service between Duvall and Monroe begins operation Aug. 1

A new bus service, connecting Duvall and Monroe via a 90-minute loop route begins operation on Wednesday Aug. 1. The service will begin with little fanfare, and represents an unprecedented collaboration between city and county governments, human service agencies and transportation providers.

The Duvall-Monroe Shuttle will bridge a longstanding political divide between the communities, less than 10 miles apart on S.R. 203, but separated by the King-Snohomish County line. The journey between the two communities can take more than four hours, three transfers and almost $10 by current public transportation options, but starting Aug. 1 the direct trip will take less than an hour, at a cost of a $1 suggested donation.

Amy Biggs, Executive Director of the North Bend-based Snoqualmie Valley Transportation (SVT) that will operate the shuttle for the new route, marveled at how short the distance was, but how long it had taken riders to get to their jobs, classes and medical appointments.

“It was like the old saying, ‘You can’t get there from here,’ such a short distance that just couldn’t be crossed, for no apparent reason,” Biggs said. She also praised the cities and county on their collaboration to address the problem. “That’s huge… the cities and counties working with each other on this collaborative effort.”

Starting at 8 a.m. from Brown Avenue NE and Richardson in Duvall, the shuttle service will carry passengers to stops in Monroe at the S. Lewis Street Park, N. Kelsey Street and Galaxy Way, the Evergreen State Fairgrounds, YMCA, and Monroe Community Senior Center, before looping back to S. Lewis Street Park and then back to Duvall. The entire route takes approximately 90 minutes.

“People in Duvall will finally be able to get to the big box stores in Monroe as well as two hospitals, dialysis and some great parks that Monroe has. And the folks in Monroe will be able to get to the shopping and restaurants and parks in Duvall, and all without a car” Biggs added, “Finally!”

The bus is ADA accessible and equipped with bike racks. Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult to ride the bus.

Fares for the Duvall-Monroe Shuttle are a $1 suggested donation per rider.

Riders arriving in Duvall can then use the Valley Shuttle, operated by Snoqualmie Valley Transportation (SVT) to get to other destinations in the valley, including Carnation, Fall City, Snoqualmie and North Bend.
A community event to celebrate the launch of the new service is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 17. Celebrations with speakers, prizes and games are scheduled at 10:30 a.m. at the Duvall stop, and 11:30 a.m. at the Monroe YMCA.

The Duvall-Monroe Shuttle is one of the first projects of the Snoqualmie Valley Transportation Coalition, a joint venture of Hopelink, Snoqualmie Valley Transportation, Easterseals, King County Metro Transit’s Community Access Transportation program, the Snoqualmie Tribe and the valley cities of Monroe, Duvall, Carnation, Snoqualmie and North Bend. The coalition, funded by an Easterseals grant, formed in the fall of 2017 to improve public transportation options in the Snoqualmie Valley.

For updates on the Duvall-Monroe Shuttle, visit www.svtbus.org.

About Snoqualmie Valley Transportation: Snoqualmie Valley Transportation (SVT) is a project of Mt. Si Senior Center and has been providing services since 2003. Transportation funding comes from the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, King County Metro Transit, the Washington State Department of Transportation and community-based donations. Services include the Valley Shuttle (operating Monday-Friday, every 90 minutes between North Bend and Duvall), three upper valley Loop buses (Cedar Falls, Downtown and the Ridge Loops) and a door-to-door shared ride service operating throughout the Snoqualmie Valley.
Find maps and schedules at www.svtbus.org, or call 425-888-7001.

Door-to-door SVT bus service expands to all of Valley, plus Monroe

Door-to-door bus service has expanded in the Snoqualmie Valley, covering the valley communities from North Bend to Snoqualmie, Fall City, Preston, Carnation, Duvall and now, the city of Monroe. Residents throughout the Snoqualmie Valley can get to and from their auto repair shops, medical appointments, farmers markets, food banks and other destinations on a Snoqualmie Valley Transportation (SVT) bus.

SVT’s shared ride service has been serving the Valley for 15 years and is open to all riders, age 13 or older. The new expanded service area from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. Fares are $1 per person.

To schedule a ride with door-to-door service, call 425-888-7001 at least one day in advance of your trip. Be sure to give the date, time and complete addresses for your pickup and drop-off locations and to specify if you need assistance in boarding the bus.

With three to five days’ notice, schedulers are better able to consolidate routes within the communities. Same-day ride requests will be accommodated on a space-available basis

Once your ride is scheduled, SVT will confirm the appointment by phone. Plan to be at your pickup location about 15 minutes ahead of schedule, as the schedule can vary slightly. If you’d like to get an estimated time of arrival, you can call SVT at 425-888-7001 about 20 minutes before your ride is scheduled, to find out how close the bus is to you.

All buses are marked with “SVT” on the front, and all buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts and bike racks.

Drivers will typically pick up several riders before delivering them to their respective destinations, so trips may take longer than you expect. Schedulers work to keep rides direct, while also keeping the service cost-effective.

To cancel a ride, call SVT at least an hour in advance of the scheduled ride.

The Preston service excludes the Mitchell Hill area.

SVT also provides the Valley Shuttle service, getting people to their destinations throughout the Valley between North Bend to Duvall, and fixed route loops routes between Snoqualmie and North Bend and a loop between North Bend and Rattlesnake Lake. Some riders may be referred to these routes, depending on their needs.

Learn more about the door-to-door service, the Valley Shuttle and the loop route services at www.svtbus.org, or call 425-888-7001.

About Snoqualmie Valley Transportation: Snoqualmie Valley Transportation (SVT) is a project of Mt. Si Senior Center. SVT began its services in 2003 with funding assistance from Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, King County Metro Transit, and the Washington State Department of Transportation.

For additional information, contact Snoqualmie Valley Transportation at 425-888-7001.