Mercer Island's new park-and-ride garage already full

Q: Mercer Island's two-level park-and-ride garage along North Mercer Way has only been open for about eight months. But already, people are complaining about not being able to find a place to park, even though it has nearly twice the parking capacity of the lot it replaces. ("Yes, we've heard about it," laments Mercer Island City Clerk Ali Spietz.)

There are days the garage's 450 parking stalls are full by midmorning. Could that be a sign of public transit's success, or a product of shortsighted garage planning?

Has bus ridership on Metro and Sound Transit exceeded planners' projections, or are would-be bus riders being squeezed out by construction workers at a nearby Interstate 90 ramp project or those working on multistory building projects a couple of blocks away?

Whatever the reason, drivers have found themselves circling the garage, scrambling to come up with another plan, often missing their bus in the process. What to do?

A: Mercer Island's dilemma is not unique. Sound Transit spokeswoman Linda Robson says most of the park-and-rides in the King-Snohomish-Pierce counties region reach capacity or are nearly full by midday, particularly since rising gas prices have driven commuters to switch to the bus.

In Mercer Island's case, design considerations and aesthetics limited the new concrete garage to two levels, with 450 parking stalls. There are no expansion plans in the works.

Sound Transit has no other parking facilities on the island. But Metro has shuttle service to a few nearby parking locations, on its Web site: http://transit.metrokc.gov/tops/parknride/pr-eastside.html.

Robson suggests trying other park-and-rides — perhaps the Eastgate, Issaquah or Issaquah Highlands lots along I-90. But those are miles away, so you'll need extra time. Since there's no telling if and when a park-and-ride will be full, consider tucking a list of alternative parking locations in your glove box or another convenient location, just in case.

"Sound Transit has worked with [Mercer Island] and with developers and construction-project staff to remind construction crews that the [garage] facility is for transit users and that construction workers should not park there to access their sites," Robson said. A sign is posted at the garage warning construction workers not to park there. But there are no signs listing alternative parking locations.

Sound Transit does monitor the garage. But, Robson admits, there's no practical way to check everyone for a bus pass. And even someone wearing a hard-hat may be jumping on the bus.

"With so many new riders who are trying transit ... the best advice is to plan ahead, arrive early, and try walking, biking, car pooling or using transit to make your connection."

Q: Georgia McDade has a good heart. Ever the volunteer at her Central Area church, she often drives church-bus loads of young people or seniors to the downtown Seattle Art Museum, or to a downtown theater, or to other attractions. But she often has trouble finding a place to park the bus, particularly close to the museum.

"There are a few spaces on Western [Avenue], but all say 'charter bus' and the time limit is 15 minutes," she lamented. After unloading, she needs a place to park the bus for a longer time — some place that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

A: Charter-bus zones in downtown all have a 15-minute limit, except for a few along the waterfront. Mike Estey, the Seattle Transportation Department's parking-operations and traffic-permits manager, says it's legal to park an oversized vehicle in pay-station parking areas if individual spaces are not marked.

But it still is up to the bus driver to find a space large enough. And the driver needs to be aware that many streets in downtown Seattle have peak-hour restrictions.

Estey says private parking lots also may be willing to accommodate a bus and may be willing to negotiate the price.