Racial Discrimination Protest

Transportation Actions

Crosstown Bus

In 1966 another practical legacy included CORE's efforts, working with other community organizations, in gaining north-south transportation, a much needed link between Franklin High School and the University District -- now known as the #48.

The Crosstown Bus by Maid Adams

"Why was I all alone on the Queen Anne bus in the middle of the night? Investigating. Here's why. Up through the mid-1960s the Central Area had no direct public transportation to the University District. Students wanting to attend the universtiy and people who had jobs in that vicinity had to take a bus downtown and transfer from there to the University District, a time-consuming process. Late in the summer of 1966, Seattle CORE launched an action project to get the Seattle Transit system to run a bus along Twenty-Third Avenue, connecting the Central Area with the University District and points north and south. I was an active participant. When CORE negotiators discussed the need for this direct service, I remember the transit authority told us, 'There is no need.' 'No one would ride,' so it would 'not be profitable.'"

Crosstown Bus

Photo credits: CORE, Matson Collection