Mayor Moriwaki, Kitsap Transit Launch Downtown Loop

The City of Bainbridge Island and Kitsap Transit are launching a new, free summer shuttle, the Downtown Loop (Route 385-BI Downtown), starting Saturday, June 13. This pilot service aims to connect popular destinations in Winslow, making it easier for islanders and visitors to navigate without individual vehicles.

The Downtown Loop will operate fare-free on Saturdays only, from 11 AM to 7 PM, for 13 Saturdays this summer. It will follow a three-mile loop, beginning and ending at the Bainbridge Island Transit Center, located next to the Ferry Terminal. The shuttle will alternate its direction of travel along Madison Avenue or Ferncliff Avenue with each trip, optimizing for arrivals and departures of Washington State Ferries. The service will not hold for late ferries. Riders can board or be picked up along Winslow Way, Madison Avenue, High School Road, and Ferncliff Avenue. On High School Road and Ferncliff Avenue, riders may signal the bus from a safe location for a stop.

Mayor Clarence Moriwaki expressed enthusiasm for the new service. “We are excited to partner with Kitsap Transit to bring the Downtown Loop shuttle bus to downtown Winslow on Saturdays this summer,” Mayor Moriwaki said. “The City and Kitsap Transit share a community-centered goal of reducing vehicle miles traveled, which have been increasing in recent years, while providing people with more convenient ways to get around. We’re excited to see this free public shuttle in action and how the community responds. I can’t wait to hop on and ride it myself!”

The shuttle is funded by the City of Bainbridge Island and supports goals from the City’s 2022 Sustainable Transportation Plan and climate action initiatives. John Clauson, Kitsap Transit’s Executive Director, noted the collaborative effort. “Kitsap Transit has been working with the City of Bainbridge Island and the Bainbridge Chamber over many years to improve public transportation on the island for both residents and visitors,” said John Clauson. “The Route 385 is a demonstration project to establish a new circulator service that we hope will alleviate local traffic congestion and meet demand from visitors walking off Washington State Ferries. It’s free – hop on and off all summer long!”

The public is invited to a brief program on June 13 at 10:30 AM before the first service departs at 11:00 AM from the Bainbridge Island Transit Center. The first 75 riders who complete the loop before 1:00 PM on June 13 will receive an ORCA Boop plushie or a special Kitsap County-inspired soccer scarf, while supplies last. The Downtown Loop will not operate on July 4, as half of its route will be closed for Grand Old Fourth events.

The shuttle is equipped with bicycle racks for two bikes and is fully accessible for mobility devices. Other Saturday transit options include Kitsap Transit’s Route 390 and BI Ride, which serve wider island destinations, though these services require a fare.

Generated with AI from public sources.

(via bainbridgewa.gov)