Sidewalks are broken and pedestrians feel unsafe. Given recent muggings in the area, students making the nearly one-mile walk between the light rail station and Rainier Beach High School feel they are taking a risk.
And most Rainer Beach bus stops are just a place to stand, without any shelter or lighting.
"Buses pass by without even seeing us," said student Cielle Carlton.
High school and middle school students surveyed 200 people in Rainier Beach and found transit connections and pedestrian access come up short.
Puget Sound Sage and the Rainier Beach Community Empowerment Coalition sponsored the survey, the results of which were discussed in a March 31 community meeting at the Ethiopian Community Mutual Association.
Survey respondents said Sound Transit's Orca card, meant to provide access, can sometimes complicate it.
The Seattle School District requires that a student live at least 2.5 miles from the high school to qualify for a free Orca card. Those who aren't able to drive and don't want to walk that far can buy a youth Orca card, which can cost $50 or more each month-- too much for many families. One student told of trying to evade light rail fare inspectors when he didn't have the cash.
Even those who can afford Orca cards sometimes have trouble getting their hands on one because they have to go downtown during business hours to buy them. Ismael Cortez told of an argument with a Metro clerk when he arrived as the office was closing at 5:30 p.m. He'd barely made it after his after-school activities at the high school.
Once they have the cards, students need debit or credit cards to periodically load money on-line. Loading with cash means a trip to the light rail station. Each reload costs a minimum of $5. Without an Orca card, making the transfer between bus and light rail means paying an extra fare.
The survey team recommended Metro, Sound Transit, the Seattle School District, and the City of Seattle make some changes. They suggested the school district provide students easier access to Orca cards during the school year and that Sound Transit create neighborhood locations where students and other riders can purchase and reload their cards. They also wanted Metro to configure bus routes in order to provide connecting shuttles from light rail, and to work with the City of Seattle to improve lighting and pedestrian safety along Henderson Street and at nearby bus stops.
Cortez expressed doubt that anybody would pay attention to what he and fellow students want, but others were there to listen.
A Metro representative attended the meeting and staff members from City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen's office and Rainier Beach High School were also present.
There will be a follow-up meeting at Rainier Beach Library at 1 p.m. April 21; for more information contact Rebecca Salda