Snoqualmie Valley Transportation joins WSDOT to simplify transportation

June 1, 2022

Snoqualmie Valley Transportation joins WSDOT to simplify transportation

Using public transportation isn’t always easy, even for regular riders who rely on it. There’s no one system that covers the state, or even the county, so getting from Address A in Carnation to Address B in Seattle, or even Address C in Bellingham means piecing together the scheduling information from several transportation companies to build a route you can use.

“It’s a patchwork of services,” says Snoqualmie Valley Transportation Executive Director Amy Biggs, “including buses, ferries, streetcars, vanpools, light rail, volunteer programs, special needs services, rural services, and services just for seniors, all operating in different areas with different rules. And there’s no unified or easy way for riders to find all the routing information they need.”

“To make matters more complicated, we each use different kinds of routing software, and our routing programs don’t even talk to each other,” Biggs added.

Not yet, they don’t, but Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is working on a project to encode route information from Snoqualmie Valley Transportation (SVT) and other transit services, into General Transit Feed Specification, or GTFS, for use by routing programs and apps such as Google Maps.

“GTFS, as I understand it, is the language spoken by all of the transit apps that are available on people’s computers, tablets and cell phones,” said Biggs. She noted that, of all the local services offered by SVT, only the Valley Shuttle and Duvall-Monroe Shuttle routes are currently shown in Google Maps.

WSDOT sought and received funding for the work and has contracted Trillium to work with the transit services throughout the state on the project.

“We are thrilled to help and have already been contacted by Trillium. The first phase of this project is to get our demand responsive, or door-to-door, service areas created,” said Biggs. “That’s where Trillium is using something called ‘GTFS Flex,’ to define areas that have service and provide a brief description of that service. After that we will be able to get all the local circulator routes translated as well.”

Once the data is collected, combined and encoded, in a process that will take a year or more, it will be available to riders looking for the best way to get between two points on the map.

Happening at the same time is another project. Hopelink’s Find a Ride program made a great start at putting information in one place. The popular website, www.findaride.org, is a place where King County riders can find options for taking a trip. So, while WSDOT is getting providers’ services into the same language, Hopelink has received funding to create a “one-call/one-click” program to make it easier for riders to create a trip plan.

Biggs, who sits on the advisory committee of the new Hopelink project, said, “It will be like a search engine for transportation; a one-stop-shop for getting from here to there. The important part is that there will be a human component so people can call a person to help them with their trip plan.” She explained that this is important because many people may need help with translation services, visual or audio assistance or have limited access to technology.

Biggs is looking forward to the results of both the WSDOT and the Hopelink projects. “Connecting people to information in this way will make it easier for people to get around and we are proud to be a part of these efforts on behalf of the riders of Snoqualmie Valley,” she said.

About Snoqualmie Valley Transportation: Snoqualmie Valley Transportation (SVT), is the primary bus system serving Snoqualmie Valley. Funded by King County Metro Transit, Snoqualmie Tribe, WSDOT, and donations, SVT provides a variety of local-only bus services, in North Bend, Snoqualmie, Fall City, Carnation, Duvall and Monroe. More information about Snoqualmie Valley Transportation can be found on at: https://svtbus.org  or by calling 425-888-7001.

Snoqualmie Valley Transportation
PO Box 806
1308 Boalch Ave NW
North Bend, WA 98045

Why I Ride

SVT helps me get home from work every day. I truly don’t know what I’d do without it. With the rising cost of everything, you have helped me survive. Keep it up!"

— Keven W. - Carnation

A picturesque pathway lined with vibrant red trees and a wooden fence, leading toward a scenic view.
The service has been a great service to my whole family. My son takes it to and from work. When we were without a vehicle for a few months, the shuttle was the only way to connect to Metro."

— Cheryl S. - Carnation

A tranquil pond surrounded by lush greenery and trees, reflecting the clear blue sky in calm waters.
We ride the shuttle 3-5 times a week. The drivers are so polite and kind."

— Contessa H. - Snoqualmie

A serene landscape featuring lush green fields, trees, and a distant road, under a clear blue sky with gentle rolling hills in the background.
With this service, I have never been late to work. Without this service I most likely would have lost my job."

— Hazel P. - North Bend

A rugged mountain landscape with steep rock formations, lush green forests, and vibrant foliage in the foreground under a clear blue sky.
Our children have used the bus to connect with friends, to bring friends home, to get to classes at the high school, get to dentist appointments in Snoqualmie and to commute to and from work in North Bend. Without SVT we would not be able to support our community by having our kids working, filling some of those many job openings that are needed to serve our neighbors."

— Suzie F. - Fall City

A picturesque pathway lined with vibrant red trees and a wooden fence, leading toward a scenic view.
For two years, I rode the shuttle at least 3 days a week to and from school. They were even able to accommodate getting me to school early for jazz band in the mornings, a passion that I kept up with all the way through college, and a core piece of who I am."

— Michelle J. - SVT Rider

A serene winter landscape featuring a frozen lake, scattered ice, and a lone duck along the shore, surrounded by tall evergreen trees.
I have been without personal transportation and SVT has been a God-send. My family is not that close by and sometimes just not available. Instead of feeling totally at a loss, helpless, and isolated, SVT has saved me from anxiety."

— Edna T. - SVT Rider

A serene landscape featuring a mountain backdrop surrounded by lush green forests under a clear blue sky.
It is such a great service to have the SVT shuttles from Duvall to North Bend. I appreciate the great drivers and sure am grateful that you all are here!"

— Julie L. - Duvall

A winding road leads towards distant mountains, flanked by trees and a rural homestead, under a clear sky.
The employees at SVT have also been nothing but wonderful to us and our students. We are so lucky to have SVT here in the Valley. This service truly makes our area stand out and lets diverse community members access many more opportunities."

— Megan G. - Snoqualmie Valley School District

A tranquil pathway lined with colorful autumn leaves, leading through trees illuminated by soft sunlight.
A key benefit of The Snoqualmie Valley Transportation is that it goes where people need to go at the times they need to go. It is on-time. The drivers are very friendly and helpful. It serves all ages. It is affordable. It is essential to the health of our communities and its citizens."

— Lisa Y. - Sno-Valley Senior Center

Lush green fields and trees stretch across a scenic landscape, framed by distant mountains under a bright sky.
My mom is 80 years old and unable to drive. She relies on SVT daily for doctor appointments, grocery shopping and coming to our house. SVT has been a savior to my mom and my family since I work full time and am unable to help with my mom’s daily transportation needs."

— Lexi C. - North Bend

Overgrown railway tracks surrounded by lush green trees and foliage, creating a serene, natural landscape.
SVT makes my life manageable. As my health changes, I have come to depend on your service more and more. You make a difference and I’m glad that you are here for my family."

— Melissa M. - Dedicated SVT Rider - North Bend

A tranquil landscape with a reflective pond surrounded by grassy fields and distant hills under a cloudy sky.
I love knowing that the shuttle is there for me, where I need it, and that I do not need to rely on an extra car, which is an extra economic burden that my family does not need. I love teaching my children about the importance of equitable and hospitable public transportation, like our cute little shuttle. Many people need and enjoy it, including me and my family."

— Sarah R. and family - Carnation

A lush landscape featuring a variety of green trees in the foreground, with a prominent mountain rising in the background under a clear blue sky.

Why I Ride

SVT helps me get home from work every day. I truly don’t know
what I’d do without it. With the rising cost of everything, you have
helped me survive. Keep it up!”

— Keven W. – Carnation

The service has been a great service to my whole family. My son
takes it to and from work. When we were without a vehicle for a few
months, the shuttle was the only way to connect to Metro.”

— Cheryl S. – Carnation

We ride the shuttle 3-5 times a week. The drivers are so polite and kind.”

— Contessa H. – Snoqualmie

With this service, I have never been late to work. Without this service
I most likely would have lost my job.”

— Hazel P. – North Bend

Our children have used the bus to connect with friends, to bring
friends home, to get to classes at the high school, get to dentist
appointments in Snoqualmie and to commute to and from work in
North Bend. Without SVT we would not be able to support our community
by having our kids working, filling some of those many job openings that
are needed to serve our neighbors.”

— Suzie F. – Fall City

For two years, I rode the shuttle at least 3 days a week to and from school.
They were even able to accommodate getting me to school early for jazz band
in the mornings, a passion that I kept up with all the way through college,
and a core piece of who I am.”

— Michelle J. – SVT Rider

I have been without personal transportation and SVT has been a God-send.
My family is not that close by and sometimes just not available.
Instead of feeling totally at a loss, helpless, and isolated, SVT has saved me
from anxiety.”

— Edna T. – SVT Rider

It is such a great service to have the SVT shuttles from Duvall to
North Bend. I appreciate the great drivers and sure am grateful that
you all are here!”

— Julie L. – Duvall

The employees at SVT have also been nothing but wonderful to us
and our students. We are so lucky to have SVT here in the Valley. This
service truly makes our area stand out and lets diverse community
members access many more opportunities.”

— Megan G. – Snoqualmie Valley School District

A key benefit of The Snoqualmie Valley Transportation is that
it goes where people need to go at the times they need to go. It is on-time.
The drivers are very friendly and helpful. It serves all ages. It is affordable.
It is essential to the health of our communities and its citizens.”

— Lisa Y. – Sno-Valley Senior Center

My mom is 80 years old and unable to drive. She relies on SVT
daily for doctor appointments, grocery shopping and coming to our
house. SVT has been a savior to my mom and my family since I work
full time and am unable to help with my mom’s daily transportation needs.”

— Lexi C. – North Bend

SVT makes my life manageable. As my health changes, I have come
to depend on your service more and more. You make a difference and
I’m glad that you are here for my family.”

— Melissa M. – Dedicated SVT Rider – North Bend

I love knowing that the shuttle is there for me, where I need it,
and that I do not need to rely on an extra car, which is an extra
economic burden that my family does not need. I love teaching
my children about the importance of equitable and hospitable public
transportation, like our cute little shuttle. Many people need and
enjoy it, including me and my family.”

— Sarah R. and family – Carnation