Downtown Seattle bus stop to be closed to help reduce crime

SEATTLE — Safety concerns at a downtown intersection are forcing a Seattle bus stop to temporarily shut down.

According to King County Metro, the decision is a rare one, made at the request of the city “in support of their public safety efforts.”

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 represents the King County Metro bus drivers.

“The people and transit have obviously been pleading for action,” union president, Ken Price said. “I’m happy to hear that they are addressing this.”

Price says they’re shutting down the bus stop at the intersection of third and pine for reasons similar to their recent closing and relocation of the stop at 12th and Jackson: breaking up crime syndicates.

“It breaks up the group that regularly is attracted to that location, Price said. “Its almost like a mall, they’re bringing the drug trade, they’re bringing the stolen merchandise trade.”

Riders will no longer be able to use the third and pine stop beginning April 2.

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