Issaquah Highlands Park & Ride (Seattle, Bellevue: transfer, living in, bus)

[Indian Scout]

Hi.

Relocating into the greater Seattle area and will be living in the Issaquah Highlands community more specifically. Noticed the other day when we drove through for the first time the giant park and ride parking structure. Now, I've used public transportation in large city's like New York before, but have never seen such a large complex for such a small (perceived) community.

How does it operate? I'll be commuting into downtown Bellevue and would enjoy the opportunity to use public transportation where possible!

Thanks!

[scirocco22]

When the Issaquah Highlands P&R was planned, the "perceived small community" was projected to be huge with both residential, retail, and business growth anticipated. Microsoft was even planning a huge complex up there at one time and the Sunset interchange with I-90 was built with that in mind (...article from early 1998). Many projects have been curtailed, put on hold, eliminated, or cut back because of the economic slowdown. Someday, that growth will eventually materialize, I'd imagine.

Right now, I don't believe there is a direct bus from that P&R to downtown Bellevue. I know such a route was planned at one time. You'd have to make one transfer currently.

Here's how it "operates" (bays that you'd use for the route chosen --pay as you enter):

Issaquah Highlands P&R boarding locations



edit: I stand corrected. The Sound Transit route 555 in the morning and 556 in the afternoon will be direct to downtown Bellevue. From downtown Bellevue, 556 in the morning and 555 in the afternoon.

[VeronikaW]

You'll the P&R. I live in the Issaquah Highlands and my husband commutes to downtown Seattle from there. My neighbor's husband commutes to Bellevue from there. It's pretty easy and convenient!

V. =)