You may have noticed the new red and yellow buses making trial runs up and down Tukwila International Boulevard and Pacific Highway between Tukwila and Federal Way. These new buses are part of King County Metro's "RapidRide" system, which started rolling out on Oct. 2.

The first line to be introduced is the A Line. This will replace the 174 route, which runs between the Federal Way Transit Center and Tukwila International Boulevard Link light rail station, according to an announcement from the King County Department of Transportation.

King County Councilwoman Julia Patterson says the elimination of route 174 will not negatively affect riders, such as Highline Community College students who rely on that bus to get to school.

"Riders will now have more frequent, reliable and fast service up and down Pacific Highway," says Patterson. "Students who used 174 can now use the A Line to travel to and from Highline Community College."

The A Line runs from the Tukwila International Boulevard Link light rail station and the Federal Way Transit Center. It is a 15-minute service most of the day, with a 10-minute service during "peak commute periods," according to the Dept. of Transportation announcement.

Many new accommodations to the RapidRide Transit lines should make riders happy. There are new shelters, signs and the buses are designed to be far more comfortable.

"The new buses have low floors and three doors for fastest and easier boarding," says Patterson. "They also have air-conditioning; free Wi-Fi, automated 'next stop' displays and audio announcement, and front-mounted bike racks."

There is also the promise of "more green lights" as stated by the Dept. of Transportation's announcement. These are to cut travel times, for the convenience of riders.

"RapidRide buses are given traffic signal priority, (buses can 'signal' at a light to turn it green,) at many intersections, they don't wait at traffic lights at the same frequency or duration as a regular bus," Patterson says.

According to C Patterson, the A Line will be servicing the area with some of the "highest transit ridership in our country." She says it is expected to serve over 2.5 million riders per year, which is a 50 percent increase from now with the traditional transit system.

"The launch of RapidRide marks a big day for King County, bringing our bus system in line with other regions in the world well-known for their transportation planning," she says.