The announcement by Metro and the City of a new shuttle bus service to replace Metro bus routes 202 and 205 is a big step. The shuttle will be smaller (19 passengers) and its service more limited in scope.  But it will restore the ability for many Islanders who work in downtown Seattle, Seattle’s First Hill and the UW to get to work from the South-end without driving. For all of us, it gets a few more cars off the road and out of our crowded Park and Ride lot.

What is called the new peak-hour community shuttle, Route 630, will provide what Metro calls, “flexible service”  in south and east Mercer Island, for trips to First Hill and downtown Seattle. The service is jointly funded by Metro and the cities of Mercer Island and Seattle through the regional partnership program created by Seattle’s transit ballot measure last fall.

Perhaps even more encouraging are the other new services being set up that will enable ride-sharing. One way is via a new app — and perhaps two types of local van service on the Island. One service being tested here now called TripPool, will be for rides at set times to and from the Park and Ride. The other, referred to as Community Van, would be for off-peak rides for Island destinations — to the grocery or city hall or even back to the Park and Ride. The van service will have volunteer drivers who are also transit-riders themselves.

Such arrangements do not solve all of the problems that the reduction of Metro bus service created last year. But it is a start. It shows that both county and local jurisdictions can work together.  But perhaps the best part is that it gives transit riders more control over how and when they can access transit services. It should allow riders and drivers to work together to set schedules and destinations that work for their neighborhood.

What a concept!