Sound Transit, the City of Renton, and partners broke ground Wednesday on the new Renton Transit Center at the corner of Rainier Avenue South and South Grady Way, a project that will introduce the region’s first battery-electric double-decker buses.
The project will relocate and improve the transit center to support existing and future routes, expected to open in 2028. “The transit center is a vital investment in Renton’s role as a regional hub connecting the Eastside and South King County,” the City of Renton said. New routes will include the Stride S1 line, RapidRide I Line, RapidRide F Line, and other King County Metro routes.
Sound Transit’s Stride S1 will feature battery-electric double-decker buses running every 10-15 minutes for 17+ hours daily. The Stride bus rapid transit received voter approval in 2016, planning began in 2018, and the design phase took place between 2021 and 2024. With Renton at its center, the Stride S1 Line will connect communities between Burien and Bellevue, offering connections to the Tukwila International Blvd Station and Bellevue Transit Center. Like Link light rail and Sounder commuter rail, Stride will feature off-board fare payment and multiple-door boarding.
The new Renton Transit Center will be a key stop on the Stride S1 Bellevue-to-Burien route. The facility will include eight bus bays, covered waiting areas, and a new four-way signalized intersection to improve bus flow. To ensure fast, reliable trips, a bus-only lane will be added on the northbound shoulder of SR 167.
In 2026, work will focus on underground elements including sewer, water, stormwater management, electrical, and irrigation systems. The project also adds sidewalks, lighting, multi-use paths, expands the existing two-way bike lane on Shattuck Avenue South, and installs new stormwater bioswales, vegetation, and plantings. The majority of construction work is scheduled for summer 2027, with final landscaping and paving on Lake Avenue South continuing through early 2028.
The timeline is tentative and may be adjusted due to unforeseen conditions or weather. The electric double-decker buses represent Sound Transit’s push toward zero-emission public transportation, following similar moves by King County Metro to expand its electric bus fleet.
