Seaview Avenue residents are still unhappy about transit service and King County Metro still is defending the lack of service because there is not enough money, despite the surge in ridership.

Metro officials and County Council member Larry Phillips also admitted that a plan to split service on route No. 17 "did not pan out."

Several area residents were concerned and upset about Seaview Avenue's lack of bus service during non-peak hours, preventing those without transportation from traveling.

Metro only provides three No. 46 bus runs in the early morning and four in the afternoon to serve Seaview Avenue and Golden Gardens Park.

Between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., residents without cars are without public transportation. In addition, there is no bus service to Seaview or Golden Gardens on the weekends.

During a public meeting in February, over 100 people turned out to voice their opposition to plans to split the No. 17 bus runs which runs along 32nd Avenue Northwest with Seaview. The number 17 runs every half hour and would have ended up on an hourly schedule with every other bus, serving Seaview.

"We heard a lot that night two months ago. It was not the best solution to the problem," said David Hull, supervisor of services planning for King County Metro.

"The proposal to split the service did not pan out," said Phillips.

One person at the meeting suggested van service on Seaview Avenue.

"We have looked at this. All the services we do are not cheap. We want to make sure it is an effective investment," said Hull.

With 100 million passengers a year in King County, demand for bus service has gone up 10 percent in the last year.

"The system is heavily used, how can we get more services and how soon. You are not alone in asking for more transit service," said Phillips.

Hull said budget constraints drive what the county is doing.

"The system is stressed. Ridership is up," he said.

The Sunset Hill Community Association began last week with a presentation on the county's "Transit Now" implementation plan, with a motto of "We'll Get You There."

"Transit Now" is an initiative to increase King County Metro Transit service and is a partnership agreement with Metro Transit, businesses and local cities to improve bus service on key urban corridors in King County.

The financial partnerships provide matching funds that Metro can use to expand service on bus routes.

The plan calls for providing 18 to 21 million more annual rides in 10 years. It is intended to get 50,000 to 60,000 drivers off the road and into buses to reduce traffic congestion.

The county is conducting a study, "Rapid Ride," to improve bus service. Among the proposals is to upgrade bus service from Ballard to downtown along 15th Avenue Northwest.

The "Rapid Ride" plan will be presented to the public later this fall and public input will be solicited in forming the plan.

"Citizens will help shape it. We are in the process of working that out," said Phillips, regarding the Seaview Avenue bus issue.