Bellevue College’s Sustainability Director participated in a Transit Network Design Workshop in support of the Bellevue Transit Master Plan(TMP) in January. The Transit Workshop Report that summarizes the major themes expressed at this event.
The city is updating its transit master plan, the document that addresses Bellevue’s transit needs. The Transportation Department seeks to replace the 2003 Transit Plan with a comprehensive 20-year look ahead to the type of transit system that will be required to meet Bellevue’s transit needs through 2030. To gain a better appreciation of this project; see this video or visit their website.
Bellevue College supported outreach for this plan; students participated in a video and a survey was distributed to students, faculty and staff. Bellevue College’s leadership wrote a letter encouraging strong consideration of the needs of students and Bellevue College specifically as one of the largest transit trip generators in the City. We also stated our commitment to sustainable transportation options.
Here’s an update from the City of Bellevue Planners: 
On 3/11, staff provided the Bellevue City Council with a status report on the TMP Service Element, including the market driven strategies which are based on input from the transit network design workshop held on 1/31, project principles approved by Council, and input from the extensive public outreach and technical analysis completed to date. By mid-May, the Service Element will be complete and Bellevue staff will initiate work on the following two remaining elements of the TMP project:
Capital Element: The capital element will: (i) stimulate discussion on congestion problems in Bellevue that compromise transit’s efficiency; (ii) evaluate the trade-offs associated with different street design decisions on mode choice, traffic delay, etc; and, (iii) assess roadway, signal system, and other rights-of-way improvements that could be made to support the transit vision outlined in the Service Element.
Policy Element: The policy element will explore different strategies the City could undertake to achieve the maximum benefit from transit. This may include consideration of development guidelines, transportation system management policies, and other actions that help to better fit transit into the Bellevue landscape.
By the end of 2013, the Bellevue Transportation Commission will be presented with the final TMP report. Upon Transportation Commission approval, this report will be presented to the City Council for adoption. The Council adopted TMP report will inform the region’s service providers of Bellevue’s transit priorities and updates to the Comprehensive Plan, Land Use Code, and potential City-led transit initiatives.
Last Updated January 14, 2014