Everett, Marysville, and Arlington residents invited to help guide Swift Gold Line station and lane decisions

Pictured above: How a Swift Station on the Swift Gold Line route could look in the future.

Community Transit is seeking community input to help shape project plans, including station locations and lane options, for the Swift Gold Line.

The Swift Gold Line, the fourth Swift bus rapid transit (BRT) line, will be a 15-mile route providing fast and frequent service connecting Everett Station with Smokey Point Transit Center in Arlington. Destinations along the way include downtown Marysville, the Cascade Industrial Center, downtown Everett, Angel of the Winds Arena, the future Everett outdoor event center, and Everett Community College.

Construction of the Swift Gold Line is expected to take place between 2028 and 2030, with service beginning in 2031. Now through Oct. 2, the public is invited to learn more about the project and take a survey at ctgo.org/swiftgold for a chance to win $200.*

With the population in Marysville, Arlington, and Everett expected to grow significantly in the next 20 years, the Swift Gold Line’s fast and frequent buses will encourage more and more people to ride transit.

“The Swift Gold Line will provide more options for north county residents to get around their communities and connect to other transit, including our Zip Shuttle and, eventually, the Link light rail extension to Everett,” said Community Transit CEO Ric Ilgenfritz.

Swift BRT is a proven, reliable, and popular travel option already established in Snohomish County. There are currently three Swift lines operating every 10 minutes weekdays and every 15-20 minutes nights and weekends:

• Swift Blue Line (Everett Station – Shoreline North/185th Link light rail station),
• Swift Green Line (Seaway Transit Center – Canyon Park Park & Ride), and
• Swift Orange Line (McCollum Park Park & Ride – Edmonds College).

The Swift Gold Line will bring this same level of fast and frequent service to North Snohomish County. 

The Swift Gold Line aims to improve on the current Swift system and keep traffic moving safely for everyone with the proposed use of dedicated, center-running lanes for buses in some areas, preserving general purpose lanes for car travel.

Last week, the Federal Transit Administration gave approval for Community Transit to enter the project development phase for a federal grant program, which is crucial to make this project a reality.

"Community Transit is one step closer to having the funding it needs to connect Everett residents to jobs, school, stores and recreational opportunities in Marysville and my hometown of Arlington," said Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), the lead Democrat on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. “I will continue supporting projects like the Swift Gold Line that create jobs and build a cleaner, greener, safer and more accessible transportation system in Puget Sound.”

“Swift has been a game-changer in Snohomish County for getting people to work and customers to businesses,” said Ray Stephanson, CEO and President of Economic Alliance Snohomish County. “With the rapid population and business growth in the north part of the county, we need this type of high-capacity transit investment to keep people moving.”

Community Transit’s monthly YouTube show, That Transit Show features an interview with the Swift BRT manager and video showing where and how the Swift Gold Line could operate.

The community is invited to share input on the project, proposed station locations, and dedicated center-running bus lanes in a variety of ways:

• Survey/Online Open House: ctgo.org/swiftgold
• Email: engage@commtrans.org
• Social media: Facebook (/communitytransit), Instagram (@communitytransit), and LinkedIn (/company/communitytransit)
• Mail: Community Transit, Administrative Office, 2312 W Casino Rd, Everett, WA 98204
• Phone: 425-353-7433

About Swift BRT

Shorter waits with buses running every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 15-20 minutes on early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

• Buses stop at all stations and depart after about 10 seconds with boarding at all three doors. Signal priority technology, transit lanes, and real-time information signs help keep you moving swiftly.
• Swift fare is the same as other buses. Pay at the station with an ORCA card or use a ticket kiosk before boarding.
• Swift is accessible to people using mobility and other devices, including wheelchairs, strollers, carts, and bikes.

Community Transit provides bus and paratransit service, vanpool, and innovative transit options in Snohomish County. The agency is expanding the Swift bus rapid transit network to connect people to light rail and provide fast, frequent service throughout the county.

*Sweepstakes is open to Snohomish County residents ages 18+. Survey closes Oct. 2, 2025. Visit ctgo.org/swiftgold for terms & restrictions.