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Kirkland asks Metro to keep MetroFlex Juanita service while partners explore improvements
Summary
After a brief staff report, the council authorized the mayor to send a letter asking King County Metro to refrain from eliminating the MetroFlex service that serves Juanita and to partner with the city to improve productivity if needed; the motion passed 7‑0.
The Kirkland City Council on May 6 authorized the mayor to send a letter urging King County Metro to continue MetroFlex service in Juanita and to coordinate with the city on service improvements.
Nut graf: Metro transit staff are evaluating MetroFlex routes under a new scoring approach and may discontinue routes with scores below 5. Kirkland staff and councilors stressed MetroFlex’s role in replacing lost fixed‑route service during earlier restructuring and urged Metro to work with Kirkland on route boundaries, service levels and outreach rather than immediate elimination.
Council action: Councilmember Black moved and Councilmember Sweet seconded a motion authorizing the mayor to send a letter to Metro General Manager asking Metro to continue the Juanita MetroFlex route and to collaborate on changes to improve performance. The council approved the letter 7‑0.
Context and next steps: Staff noted MetroFlex was implemented in Juanita to replace earlier fixed‑route service that had been removed; councilors argued the route’s historical role and the arrival of future rapid transit lines make a sudden discontinuation premature. The city offered to work with Metro on boundary adjustments, performance improvements and public outreach.
Ending: The signed letter will be transmitted to Metro leadership and staff said they will coordinate further meetings with Metro to explore route and service improvements while the city seeks to avoid abrupt service cuts.
