Published on March 07, 2019
Media Contact: Kellie Stickney Communications Program Manager kstickney@kirklandwa.gov (425) 979-6562
New North Kirkland Community Van offers customizable alternative to public transportation
Kirkland, Wash. – In February, the City of Kirkland and King County Metro launched the North Kirkland Community Van rideshare program, a 2-year pilot program meant to enhance public transportation opportunities for residents in the north Kirkland neighborhoods of Finn Hill, Juanita and beyond. The community van is stationed at the North Kirkland Community Center, located at 12421 103rd Avenue N.E., and is used to provide one-time and recurring transportation services to residents whose needs can’t be met by regular bus service. The van can be used seven days a week during the day and in the evenings, is fully ADA-accessible and can accommodate a driver and up to five passengers. An 11-passenger van may be requested for trips requiring additional capacity, however, the larger van is not equipped with an accessibility ramp. Trips require a minimum of two passengers and can be routed to a variety of places throughout the City. Recurring trips to popular destinations may be scheduled to meet the needs of our community. Do you have suggestions for trips in your neighborhood that are not supported by bus routes? Let us know! “Community Van is a fun and innovative new way to share rides,” said Community Transportation Coordinator Armaghan Baghoori. “We are interested in hearing from our Finn Hill and Juanita community members to learn more about how the van can accommodate their needs.” Volunteer drivers ride for free, while passengers pay a standard one-way Metro fare per round trip. Existing transit customers can use the monthly pass on their ORCA cards to pay the fare, while riders without ORCA cards can pay the fare by downloading the Transit GO Ticket app. All trips are scheduled through Armaghan, who matches trip requests with available drivers. Each trip is published online on the community van schedule page, and open for other riders to join. The van can also be used for special community events and functions. If a community member is interested in attending a performance at the Kirkland Arts Center with a group of friends, they can complete the driver screening process and use the van on a one-time basis. The screening process is completed by King County Metro and takes approximately two weeks. For more information about the North Kirkland Community Van, please visit our website at: North Kirkland Community Van. The North Kirkland Community Center does not operate the community van. To request a trip or submit a trip suggestion, contact Armaghan Baghoori at commvan@kirlandwa.gov or 425-587-3924.
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