Last month, Edmonds College and the surrounding community gathered for an outdoor party at the school complete with balloons, food, and music to celebrate the opening of a just completed bus station located along 68th Avenue West in front of the campus.
The bus station is part of Community Transit’s newly launched Swift Orange Line, an $83 million project and the third “Swift Bus Rapid Transit Service” (BRT) line operated by the agency. The route spans 11 miles connecting Edmonds College, Alderwood Mall, Mill Creek, and the upcoming light rail station in Lynnwood, and promises students greater access and flexibility in getting to and from campus..
Edmonds College President Amit Singh called the new Orange Line station a “game changer.”
“It provides an affordable transportation option and removes a significant barrier to education by making our campus far more accessible for students and employees living in surrounding communities,” Singh said. “We’re also thrilled about the upcoming arrival of Link Light Rail in Lynnwood this August, which will further expand access and connect our college to the broader region.”
Community Transit officials noted that ridership on the Blue and Green Lines made up 2.5 million boardings per year, accounting for over a third of total boardings. They anticipate these numbers to continue rising with the introduction of the Orange Line.
The BRT service operates weekdays starting at 6 a.m. On weekends, service begins at 7 a.m. with buses departing every 10 to 20 minutes. Community Transit envisions this service will benefit the community for years to come.
Additionally, the Lynnwood Link Extension is scheduled to open this year covering an 8.5-mile stretch with four stations, between Shoreline and Lynnwood. Sound Transit officials project ridership between 47,000 to 55,000 by the year 2026.
Self-proclaimed public transportation enthusiast, and Edmonds College student, Leslie Gilbraith is a fan of the direction that transportation in the Edmonds area is taking.
“I’m very excited about the Orange Line coming to Edmonds College, not just because of the Orange Line itself but because of the transit reorientation that’s happening along with it,” he said. “It feels great that our neck of the woods here is becoming more connected to downtown Seattle and the region at large.”
Gilbraith emphasized the importance and efficiency of the Orange Line to his commute on campus and family.
“It would likely make it easier to visit my family in South Everett, as it is a more direct route with less stops, so the Orange Line might be worth making the trip over to Edmonds College, even if I’d have to bike 10 or 15 minutes,” he said.
The launch of the Orange Line and the upcoming opening of the Lynnwood light rail station will open many doors for faculty and students to explore and commute more efficiently throughout the area, officials said.
