Getting to Golden Gardens by public transit got a little easier this week, when Metro launched the new Golden Gardens Direct bus route, which runs straight to the popular beach from 15th Ave NW and NW Market Street in Ballard.
That means: No fighting for a parking space on a busy weekend (or a weekday during the summer); No need to descend and then climb back up the 272 steps from the Loyal Heights neighborhood above Golden Gardens after parking there to avoid the fight for parking at the beach; No two-mile slogwalk from central Ballard to get to the. beach without a car.
The pilot route will run seven days a week through August 30. The bus will make 10 stops along Market Street and Seaview Avenue, with connections to RapidRide D, Route 40, Route 44, and Route 17.
According to an announcement by Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss, five of those stops serve areas with no existing transit:
“I proposed and funded this new bus through a budget action last fall to give everyone better access to Golden Gardens,” Strauss said. “This is one of our city’s most beautiful but least accessible public spaces.”
With the new route, Strauss added, “everyone will have access to the beach — no hiking, scrambling, or parking required.”
The route was funded through the city budget last fall, specifically to address one of Seattle’s most glaring access gaps. Whether it becomes permanent remains to be seen.”I was able to create Golden Gardens Direct as a pilot program by finding underutilized funds in the City of Seattle’s budget,” Strauss said. “We will be analyzing the data and making longer-term decisions about the future of the bus. If you like it, let us and Metro know. The best way to support the new route — and make sure it comes back next year — is by riding the bus.”
Golden Gardens Direct details
Where: Summer bus service runs from 15th Ave NW and NW Market St straight to Golden Gardens Park. Jump aboard Golden Gardens Direct at 10 stops along Market Street and along Seaview Avenue.
When: Through August 30
Time: The bus will run every 30 minutes, seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
How to pay: Orca Card, pay in cash, or use transfers
