Tacoma Dome commuters and University of Washington students will lose their one-seat bus ride to the UW Seattle campus in the last week of August, when Sound Transit eliminates express Route 586 and requires riders to transfer through downtown Seattle.

The change, part of Sound Transit's 2026 bus service plan approved by the agency's board in March, drew overwhelming opposition from riders.

Of more than 300 people surveyed, 70% voiced "strong opposition," citing transfer inconvenience, light rail safety concerns, and potential delays, according to the plan. Just 13% supported the elimination, pointing to the benefits of redirecting limited resources elsewhere in the system.

What riders will need to do

After Route 586 ends, Tacoma Dome passengers heading to UW will need to take Route 590, 594, 595, or the S Line (Sounder commuter rail) to downtown Seattle, then transfer to the 1 Line or 2 Line at International District/Chinatown Station.

Riders boarding at Federal Way can take Route 577 or 578 and transfer to light rail at Symphony Station, or ride the 1 Line directly from Federal Way.

Sound Transit spokesperson David Jackson told The News Tribune that the remaining routes offer more frequency and weekend service. "The routes that remain have increased frequency, and on the weekends, which is something the public has been asking for," Jackson said.

The agency's FAQ document states the new transfer route "can run all day, seven days a week" in both directions, an improvement over Route 586's limited schedule.

Sound Transit also says the overall travel time via Route 590/594 paired with a Link transfer will be "similar to or faster than" the current Route 586 trip, though the agency has not published comparative time estimates.

What Tacoma gains

The Route 586 elimination frees operating resources for Route 574, which connects Lakewood, Tacoma Dome, and Federal Way. Starting in late August, Route 574 will run every 15 minutes and add overnight service.

The route's endpoint will also shift from SeaTac Airport to Federal Way, and a stop in Lakewood will change. Riders who currently use Route 574 to reach SeaTac will lose that direct connection.

"Route cancellation generally results in more service for remaining routes," Jackson said via email.

What happens next

The Sound Transit Board approved the 2026 service plan in March 2026, and no formal public comment period remains for this specific change. The exact date within the last week of August has not been announced.

Riders with questions or concerns can contact Sound Transit's service planning team at [email protected] or 206-553-3774, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.