If you’re looking to snag a parking spot at the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center, you’d better get there early.
The parking garage, located at 6001 236th St. SW., usually is filled to capacity by 8 a.m. The garage has 880 stalls.
Given some of the past financial struggles at Community Transit, having a parking problem is, in some respects, a good problem to have.
“It means people want to use the service,” said Community Transit Public Information Officer Martin Munguia. “We want it to be as convenient as possible.”
The Mountlake Terrace facility was built in 2010 and was not filled to capacity until the last two years, Munguia said.
The parking situation a few miles north is just as bad at the Lynnwood Transit Center. The lot, located at 20100 48th Ave. W., has 1,378 stalls and is filled to capacity often by 7:15 a.m. The Lynnwood Transit Center is the largest Park and Ride Facility in the system.
The transit agency has looked at leasing extra parking spaces nearby but has not been able to find any.
“We ask businesses and check other locations where we see parking available,” Munguia said. “In many cases we get turned down. … We do look for opportunities to lease parking space. We haven’t had a lot of luck in South County.”
Expanding parking at either Mountlake Terrace or Lynnwood is not in the agency’s immediate plans for the future. As a result of the recession, Community Transit cut back service and the agency’s focus is on bringing back service, especially on Sundays.
“Right now we’re focused on adding bus service,” Munguia said. “Adding parking is not a priority.”
Sound Transit, who is bringing light rail service to Lynnwood, may be looking at constructing some parking structures. Light rail service is projected to start in 2023.
– By David Pan
One of the many benefits of living within walking/biking distance of the Transit Center. Don’t have to worry about this. I’m not opposed to another parking garage per se but in time it would fill up as well. There’s also a significantly higher public cost/rider by building parking garages around transit centers than allowing private development to build housing/retail/office within a short walking distance.
having to drive to catch a bus is a sign of a failed system!
it means – car required!
but then, again, the bus systems’ real purpose is to get the cattle to the workplace, a white collar desk job, in the middle of a major work area, like downtown seattle, bellevue, redmond, in the morning and back to the barn, in the evening!
want to go there or come back at some other time, take a detour, do shopping, etc – drive your car!