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King County Metro adds new bus routes and on‑demand service in South King County
King County Metro announced a major expansion of South King County bus service that will begin on Aug. 29, 2026. The change adds nine new routes, more than 3,000 additional weekly trips and stronger connections to new Sound Transit Link light‑rail stations. Metro also will launch Metro Flex, an on‑demand transit service in Auburn and Federal Way starting Aug. 31, allowing riders to book wheelchair‑accessible minivans for the same fare as a regular bus.
Key new routes include Route 164 (frequent service between Des Moines, Kent and Auburn, replacing part of the deleted Route 165), Route 166 (peak‑frequent service between Burien and Kent Des Moines Station, also replacing part of Route 165), Route 902 (replacing DART Route 901 and a DART service in Federal Way) and the return of Route 121 with new AM and PM peak trips. Additional service enhancements feature expanded hours, more weekend trips and increased frequency on several existing routes.
County Executive Girmay Zahilay called the plan “the single largest bus service investment in South King County in a generation.” Metro General Manager Michelle Allison and County Councilmember Steffanie Fain highlighted the benefits for commuters, students and families, stressing that stronger bus‑rail connections will improve mobility and community ties across the region.
Entities
Girmay Zahilay · King County Metro · Michelle Allison · Sound Transit Link · Steffanie Fain
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] New Route 166 will provide peak‑frequent service between Burien and Kent Des Moines Station, replacing part of the deleted Route 165. b-townblog.com · www.federalwaymirror.com · www.rentonreporter.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Metro will launch Metro Flex on-demand transit service in Auburn and Federal Way beginning Aug 31, 2026. b-townblog.com · www.federalwaymirror.com · www.rentonreporter.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Route 121 will return to operation with new AM and PM peak trips. www.federalwaymirror.com · www.rentonreporter.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] New Route 902 will replace DART Route 901 and a DART service in Federal Way. www.federalwaymirror.com · www.rentonreporter.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] New Route 164 will provide frequent service between Des Moines, Kent and Auburn, replacing part of the deleted Route 165. b-townblog.com · www.federalwaymirror.com · www.rentonreporter.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] King County Metro will expand bus service in South King County starting Aug 29, 2026. b-townblog.com · www.federalwaymirror.com · www.rentonreporter.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] King County Executive Girmay Zahilay said the improvements are the single largest bus service investment in South King County in a generation. b-townblog.com · www.federalwaymirror.com · www.rentonreporter.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The expansion adds nine new routes and more than 3,000 additional weekly bus trips. b-townblog.com · www.federalwaymirror.com · www.rentonreporter.com