King County Metro Transit, based in Seattle, Washington, is enhancing its bus services by expanding the use of advanced service management (ASM). The agency is shifting from a scheduled service model, where buses aim to arrive at specific times, to a headway-based service model, which ensures that buses arrive at consistent intervals. The transition is designed to improve reliability for riders by reducing bus bunching and minimizing gaps in service.
In 2024, King County Metro successfully piloted the ASM program on the RapidRide A and F lines, with riders reporting smoother and more reliable service. The ASM approach integrates staff collaboration, street design improvements, and transit-specific technology to deliver faster and more reliable service. This includes real-time coordination between bus drivers, service quality teams, and transit control center staff to address potential delays, such as accidents or operator breaks, with onsite supervisors assisting in maintaining service reliability. Additionally, street designs are optimized to improve bus travel time and reliability through bus lanes, bus stop and boarding designs, and transit signal priority. The synchronization of onboard technology and real-time information systems ensures accurate and timely communication with both drivers and passengers.