Snohomish County Opens Third BRT Line

The new 11-mile Swift Orange Line connects Edmonds, Washington, with the city of Everett and will soon link up with the Sound Transit Link network.

1 minute read

April 4, 2024, 9:00 AM PDT

By Mary Hammon @marykhammon


Blue and white bus driving toward the camera with a white logo of a bird that says Swift on the front..

IanDewarPhotography / Adobe Stock

Snohomish County transit agency, Community Transit, opened its new 11-mile Swift Orange Line line last Saturday, according to local media outlet King 5 News. The $83 million project is the area’s third bus rapid transit line, running between Edmonds and Everett and linking Edmonds College, Alderwood Mall, the suburb of Mill Creek. It will be extended another 8.5 miles to the Sound Transit’s future Link light rail station in Lynwood that’s set to open later this year.

The new line is part of Community Transit’s “Transit Changes in 2024 and Beyond” expansion plan, which aims to improve connections and shorten wait times for riders. The buses along the Orange will depart every 10 to 20 minutes and are expected to increase overall transit ridership in the county. The Swift Blue and Green Lines accounted for 2.5 million, or more than one-third, of total boardings last year, which has surpassed prepandemic levels, agency officials told Brady Wakayama of King 5 News.

Saturday, March 30, 2024 in King 5 News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

5 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Chicago with river in foreground.

Chicago Approves Green Affordable Housing Plan

The Mayor’s plan calls for creating a nonprofit housing corporation tasked with building affordable housing that meets Green Building standards.

May 8, 2025 - CBS News Chicago

Close-up on e-scooters parked in painted designated parking area on city street.

E-Scooter Parking: A Guide

How smart planning — and ample designated parking — can end conflicts over shared scooters.

2 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Aerial view of Bozeman, Montana with mountains in background.

‘It’s Been 50 years’: Public Transit Law Passes in Montana

Legislation would fix transportation district issue, allow for greater reach on city bus routes.

3 hours ago - Daily Montanan

Illustration of nighttime city with white lines connecting nodes to illustrate technology and connectivity

Top 10 Tech-Ready Cities

An index ranks U.S. cities based on their preparedness for the ‘smart city future.’

4 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive