Have trouble finding a spot in Mercer Island’s Park-and-Ride? Many Islanders find that our local commuter parking lot fills up early in the morning, and commuters from off-island use the lot as well.
Sound Transit is now exploring permit parking for its busiest lots to “help transit riders find parking quickly and reliably,” according to their website.

Permits may be available as early as mid-2016, and proposed program details include:

• Transit customers must have and use a valid ORCA card to apply for a permit.
• Permit parking would be reserved for permit holders until 9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. On weekends and after 9:30 a.m. on weekdays, transit riders would be able to park in permit spaces without a permit.
• Permits would be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Permits would be renewed quarterly or semi-annually. Renewal would require the permit holder’s ORCA records to show they rode transit at least three times per week during the previous permit term. Flexibility will be allowed for time away (such as vacation).
• Carpool permit holders must arrive with at least two transit riders in the permitted vehicle.
• At least 50% of parking spaces at each location would remain free and available for transit riders without parking permits.

Sound Transit invites the public to take a survey toward providing input and feedback about current transit use.
Learn more at: soundtransit.org