SEATTLE -- Metro Transit is making the largest single addition of new bus service since 2001, adding more service on 20 routes and two new ones in hopes of easing overcrowding on buses.

More details about the new service
Bus Schedules, Trip Planner

The new bus routes will serve North Bend, Snoqualmie, and Kent; plus service improvements will be added to 11 routes in Seattle, five on the Eastside, and four in the south part of the county.

Metro Route 157 will run during peak-commute periods on weekdays to neighborhoods east of Kent. The service connects the Lake Meridian Park-and-Ride and downtown Seattle with stops at Kent East Hill, Glencarin, South 212th Street, and Interstate 5.

The new Route 215 will provide service to North Bend and Snoqualmie residents during peak-commute times. On weekdays, there will be five morning and five afternoon trips connecting North Bend, Snoqualmie and Snoqualmie Ridge to downtown Seattle, with stops at the Issaquah Transit Center and Eastgate Park-and-Ride for connections to other locations. The Route 215 will replace the eastern portion of Route 214, which will now focus solely on service between Issaquah and Seattle.

In Seattle, there will be increased frequency on routes 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 14, 26, 28, 41, and 44. There will also be new midday trips on Route 46 connecting Fremont, Ballard, and Shilshole. On the Eastside, Metro is beefing up service on routes 209, 230, 253, 269, and 929. In South King County, there will be more service on routes 143, 153, 164 and 915.

Metro's ridership has recently climbed to about 400,000 boardings each weekday, and is expected to increase this fall, the agency said.

The additions will begin on Saturday, Sept 20.