By mail. Whatever the reason for the delay, Metro has now embraced low-floor buses and all new fleet additions since 2003 have been low-floor, with the last high-floor buses retired in 2020. King County Metro Fare Costs. Have questions about fares? I am honored to be the newest leader of King County Metro. 2014 summary of achievements and progress meeting goals identified in Metro's Sustainability Plan. If you are transferring, ask the driver for a paper transfer at the time you pay. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. -DeSean Quinn, Metro Assistant General Manager of Partnerships and Strategy. To coincide with new Link service, King County Metro is also updating their on-campus bus service to better serve the U District and University of Washington stations. The pandemic has hastened a fork in the road for our local public transit agencies. Keep it with you at all times when riding because a fare enforcement officer may ask to see it. The City of Seattle's transportation benefit district funds service on Night Owl routes that operate entirely within the city limits.[44]. They are twice the one-way fare and are valid for travel only on the date purchased, between the stations printed on the ticket. "TCC couldn't be more excited about King County Metro's rollout of the zero-youth fare, . Buy a paper ticket at a pay station, located at each . [1][33] In August 2019, the King County Council voted to waive transit fares during snow emergencies. Nearby Recently Sold Homes. Some previous services required riders to start or end their ride at a transit center or community hub. Custom routes are also occasionally established to serve as shuttles for large local events, including Seattle Seahawks and Washington Huskies football games. Adult fares (age 19-64) Riders age 19 to 64 pay a fare depending on the type of trip and distance travelled. Will Metro and other agencies that are using Transit GO Tickets still accept cash to ride? Can my driver help me if the Transit GO Ticket app isnt working? Buses will communicate with roadside equipment using 802.11 wireless technology on the 4.9 GHz public safety band. Last Updated October 13, 2022. Metros Innovative Mobility Program is leveraging emerging mobility services and new technologies to give people more ways to get around in King County. [34] An earlier plan from the 1980s replaced SeattleEastside commuter routes with a set of routes that exclusively served predetermined park and ride lots.[35]. [40][41], Metro uses skip-stop spacing on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Avenues in Downtown Seattle, whereby buses skip every other bus stop. Metro's award-winning commitment to innovation means more green, accessible options for everyone. When transferring to bus, you only need to tap your card once as you enter the bus. Check Twitter feeds for transit agencies for current service updates prior to travel. Metro Transit buses; Metro Community Shuttles; Community Vans; Community Ride; Trailhead Direct; Via to Transit; Access services; King County Water Taxi; Kitsap Transit buses, Fast Ferries and Foot Ferries; Sound Transit (Express buses, Link light rail and Sounder Train); and Seattle Streetcar accept the Transit GO Ticket. Were excited to introduce this investment to and for the community. The Move Ahead Washington transportation package includes more than $640 million over 16 years to support Metro bus and paratransit service, RapidRide and zero-emission bus construction [77] Today, King County Metro has one of the largest articulated fleets in North America (second only to MTA New York City Transit) and articulated buses account for about 42% of the agency's fleet.[2]. And in 2012 Seattle got rid of the ride free zone downtown. By Michelle Allison, King County Metro General Manager. Enter your email or 10-digit phone number, Learn if you qualify for reduced fares and where to get an RRFP. Day passes (good for round-trip or multi-trip rides) are also available from ticket machines. People on certain government programs and all youth 18 and younger ride free. Roughly speaking, areas in South King County (from Burien and Des Moines through Renton and Maple Valley) are served by routes numbered in the 100s, areas in East King County (from Renton to Bothell) are served by routes numbered in the 200s, areas in North King County (from Bothell to Shoreline) are served by routes numbered in the 300s. If boarding through the rear doors, be prepared to show your activated ticket to a fare enforcement officer, if asked. The closure of the bridge impacted 13 Metro routes that normally traveled across the West Seattle Bridge. Add cash at over 175 retail stores in the Puget Sound area, including 7-Eleven, Walgreens, CVS and more. Suburban routes follow a numbering system: 100199 for South King County, 200299 for the Eastside, 300399 for North King County, and 900999 for dial-a-ride and custom routes. Getting there can be half the fun, as long as you follow a few common sense rules. The high bridge is closed at least until 2022 while the City assesses and begins work to shore up cracks and increase structural stability. 156th Ave NE & Redmond Technology Station - Bay 8 Sr 520 & NE 40th St Bellevue Transit Center - Bay 6 Southport Dr N & Lake Washington Blvd N Park Ave N & N 8th St Renton Transit Center - Bay 4 Sr 167 & SW 7th St Central Ave N & S 228th St Kent Sounder Station - Bay 9 4th Ave N & W Smith St Auburn Park . NEWS UPDATE King County Metro Transit has announced that it will be uniting its #OnDemand services under the agency's new #MetroFlex neighbourhood Print and complete the application form and mail it to the ORCA Regional Mail Center. Since 2019, King County Metro's on-demand services have provided safe, reliable connections for people and places that aren't near frequent bus or rail service. Metro's services include electric trolleybuses in Seattle, RapidRide enhanced buses on six lines, commuter routes along the regional freeway system, dial-a-ride routes, paratransit services, and overnight owl bus routes. . Tickets stored on the cloud require Wi-Fi or cellular data to access and activate. Before the Free Youth Transit Pass, King County Metro fare for youth was $0 for ages 0-5 and $1.50 for ages 6-18, or $54 for a monthly youth pass. Metros on-demand services were created with and designed to serve priority populations. In order to realize this growth, Transit Now proposed an increase in the local option sales tax for transit of one-tenth of one percent. Regional transit agencies will be operating on the following schedules to accommodate fare-free New Year's Eve rides: King County Metro: Buses will operate on their regular Saturday schedule and be fare-free from 3 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, through 3 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 1. For nearly two years, Sound Transit has been working to implement meaningful changes to our fare compliance policies and practices. Can I transfer with a Transit GO Ticket like I do with e-purse on an ORCA card? See if you qualify, A more affordable way to get to work, school, shopping, day care or anywhere else you need to go. Our riders have embraced our on-demand services, and on March 6, well unite them under our new Metro Flex neighborhood transit service. Metro Flex transforms and merges three popular and proven on-demand services so riders will be able to travel more seamlessly around their neighborhoods and across the region, said Executive Dow Constantine. One-way adult fares range between $3.25 and $5.75, depending on how far you travel. ORCA cards now free for youth riders. 201 S. Jackson St. Seattle, WA 98104-3856. Adult. Whentransferring from Sounderto Link, keep in mind that Linkfares are distance based as well. The station opened on July 1, 1977, part of the 11.8-mile (19.0 km) initial segment of the Blue Line between National Airport and Stadium-Armory stations that opened that day.. Virginia Railway Express began service in June 1992, with its Crystal City station about 0.2 miles (0.32 km) northeast of the Metro entrance. For eligible senior, disabled or low income riders, the pass is good for fares up to $1.75. To take advantage of other electronic transfers and other features, one should use ORCA. No more worries about carrying cash for transit fare, Transit Go Ticket is good on King County Metro Buses, Sound Transit Express Bus, Light Rail and Sounder, King County Water Taxi, Seattle Streetcar and Kitsap Transit routed buses and . [60], In King County, Metro has 132 park and ride facilities containing a total of 24,524 parking stalls as of 2009[update]. Youth 18 and under ride for free on all Sound Transit services. 290 W 232nd St Unit 14D, BRONX, NY 10463. Whentransferring from Linkto Sounder train, keep in mind that Sounder train fares are distance based as well. . Cash or paper tickets are not available for this fare category. Cards can unlock travel options on region's buses trains and ferries. A major Metro facility is the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT), a 1.3-mile-long, four-station tunnel that allows Central Link light rail trains to travel under the heart of downtown Seattle. During the 2019-20 school year, 34% of King County's students qualified for free and reduced-price lunch. How Metro is protecting our region's environment. It uses $45million in new annual funds from a 0.1% sales tax raise and a $60 annual car-tab fee to add King County Metro bus service within the City of Seattle.[67]. $350,000 Last Sold Price. King County Metro operates a weekend express shuttle between Seattle and hiking areas in the Cascade foothills called Trailhead Direct from April to October. Find certified small business contractors and suppliers. Youth ages 0-18. On buses, show your screen to the driver when boarding.*. You can only transfer between Metro buses and Metro RapidRide buses with Transit GO Ticket. ORCA works on the seven major public transportation agencies serving the region. Rememberto tap onat your starting station andtap off at your end destination for both Link and Sounderto accurately calculate your total fare. [51], King County Metro has a flat rate fare structure for all riders. Starting September 1, 2022, riders 18 and younger can take transit for free thanks to Move Ahead Washington, a statewide transportation funding package. King County voters authorized Metro to buy Metropolitan and operate the county's mass transit bus system. Metros on-demand services have resoundingly woven themselves into the mobility choices of the communities they serve and advance King Countys values. Address where you will be going. The permit is free, a replacement will cost $3. The service, operated in partnership with the county's park and recreation department and private companies, debuted in 2017 and was expanded the following year to cover three routes: Capitol Hill station to Mount Si; Mount Baker station to the Issaquah Alps; and a shuttle from North Bend to Mailbox Peak. Please plan your trip with enough time to complete your transaction prior to boarding. One-way low-income adult fares are $1.00, regardless of distance traveled. https://www.transit.wiki/index.php?title=King_County_Metro_fares&oldid=175795. King County will also offer virtual Neighborhood Pop-Ups online. [45][46] A fourth route, between Tukwila International Boulevard station, Renton, and Cougar Mountain, was added in 2019. King County Metro Bus (KCM) tickets are valid only on ST Express Routes operated by KCM. Metro Transit Division. [25][26], The in-city routes with the highest ridership are the RapidRide D Line from downtown to Crown Hill via Uptown/Seattle Center and Ballard; the 7, traveling from downtown through the International District to the Rainier Valley; the 40, traveling from downtown through South Lake Union, Fremont, and Ballard to Northgate; the RapidRide C Line from South Lake Union and downtown to West Seattle's Alaska Junction and Westwood Village; the 36, traveling from downtown through the International District to Beacon Hill; the 5 from downtown via the Woodland Park Zoo and Greenwood/Phinney Ridge to Shoreline Community College; the 44, a crosstown route connecting the University District and Ballard; the 8, a crosstown route connecting Uptown/Seattle Center and South Lake Union with Capitol Hill, the Central District and Mount Baker; and the 70, connecting downtown to South Lake Union, Eastlake, and the University District. Transit GO Rewards is an innovative mobility rewards program to encourage smart and sustainable travel choices that reduce traffic congestion and transportation climate impacts. The extent of Metro's application of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) for transit information available for customers has been limited to a few projects: Metro is a participating agency in the regional smart card program called ORCA (One Regional Card for All). Stops with heavier ridership have "stations" with an awning, seating, lighting, real time information signs to communicate estimate arrival times of RapidRide buses. Rememberto tap on at your starting station to begin your train portion of yourtrip and tap off at your end destination to accurately calculate your fare. [57] Crews lowered the roadway to match the height of Central Link's low-floor light rail vehicles, replaced the overhead trolley wire with catenary wire, and built a stub tunnel where trains could reverse direction and allowed for construction of the University Link extension to the north (which was completed in 2016). .. Last Updated November 28, 2022. King, Snohomish, Pierce, and Kitsap counties together have an estimated 645,000 youth aged 6-18. The conductors do not sell tickets. (King County) King County Metro will start rolling out a new on-demand microtransit service, Metro Flex, on March 6th. Learn more about ORCA LIFT. From Jan. 26, 2023 to Mar. The changes are designed to provide easy transit connections, keep buses running on time, and improve safety by separating cars and buses during the busiest hours. When. Use your ORCA card or the Transit GO Ticket app for touch-free payment. We think our on-demand services will now be even better and more convenient, and we urge riders to download the Metro Flex app. Alerts & Updates. The Metro-operated Sound Transit Express routes are numbered in the 500s. Day passes (good for round-trip or multi-trip rides) are also available from ticket machines. This interest led to the formation of the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (more commonly known as Sound Transit) which holds primary responsibility for planning and building high capacity transit in the counties of King, Pierce and Snohomish, in western Washington state.[16]. The RFA extended from the north at Battery St. to S. Jackson St. on the south and east at 6th Avenue to the waterfront on the west. Metros Customer Service group can assist with most questions regarding functionality, navigation, ticket validation and payment issues. Currently only credit cards, debit cards and cash uploads are accepted as means of payment. Metro paper transfers are valid on only Metro buses. Dept. [38] The first freeway flyer stop opened in 1975 at Montlake Boulevard and State Route 520. Ferry/Water Taxi. [53], The King County Metro fares as of July 1, 2018 are:[54], One-way fare (Peak, 1 Zone), with year of rate change:[55]. Metro is contracted to operate special custom buses. How is the Transit GO Ticket different than an ORCA card? From paying for tickets on the go using cash or credit card; to being a safe, contactless way to pay your transit fare, the Transit GO Ticket has all the features you need right in the palm of your hand. Will Transit GO Tickets save money and how? When you exit Link and Sounder, re-tap your ORCA card to complete the trip. The project severed access to the north portal of the tunnel, while an upcoming light rail construction project in 2020 will also cause other disruptions. See if you qualify, Access Transportation (Eligibility required), If you have a disability that prevents you from using regular bus service, you can apply for Access. Learn more, Disabilities or Medicare fares (qualifying disability), The Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) entitles riders with a disability and Medicare card holders to reduced fares on public transportation systems in the Puget Sound region. Passport, OR. Metro Flex delivers flexible, reliable transportation for the same cost as a Metro bus fare. Low-floor coaches have slightly reduced seating capacity (because the wheelwells intrude further into the passenger compartment) which may have been a concern. Pay with: Tacoma Link light rail travels 1.6 miles through downtown Tacoma, making six stops along the way. $2.75. Board of Estimate of City of New York v. Morris, "As the snow melts, King County Metro running more bus routes Wednesday", "Transit Ridership Report Third Quarter 2022", American Public Transportation Association, "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2021", "Executive Constantine appoints Terry White Metro General Manager", "Metro: Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle", "Federal District Judge William Dwyer rules that Metro Council is unconstitutional on September 6, 1990", "Metro Transit to become independent county department", "Ride Free Area (discontinued Sept. 2012)", "Metro Transit establishes free Magic Carpet zone in downtown Seattle in September 1973", "Seattle Joining Movement for Free Bus Rides", "Readers ask: How are bus-route numbers picked, and why are empty buses in the HOV lane? The system can boost average speeds as much as 8% and is in use on several of the city's busiest corridors, including Aurora Avenue North, Rainier Avenue S and Lake City Way NE. They are twice the one-way fare and are valid for travel only on the date purchased, between the stations printed on the ticket. Due to bridge/tunnel rehab project, express shuttles . Regional Reduced Fare Permit for senior riders (age 65 or older), riders with a disability, Medicare card holders and U.S. military with ID. [43] The Night Owl network is made up of some of Metro's most popular routes, and is designed to connect neighborhoods with major transportation hubs including downtown Seattle, SeaTac Airport, park & ride lots, transit centers, and Link stations (providing service during the hours when trains are not in service). All RapidRide routes have frequent service with frequencies of 10 minutes or better during peak commuting hours and 15 minutes during most off-peak hours and on weekends. King County Metro will launch Metro Flex on March 6. Due to bridge/tunnel rehab project, express shuttles operate btwn Crystal City & L'Enfant Plaza weekdays only btwn 6:20a-9:30a & 3:20p-8:00p. SOLD JUN 15, 2022. You'll upload this with your application. Advance equity. On King County Metro routes, the driver will give you a paper transfer, which you can use to continue your trip on another King County Metro bus within the timeframe indicated on the . Special stops called "freeway flyers" or freeway stations were constructed to allow efficient transfer between local and express buses. Riders age 19 to 64 pay a fare depending on the type of trip. Tacoma Link fares continue to be free thanks to funding from the Tacoma Business Improvement Area. ORCA works like cash or a pass, automatically tracking the value of different fares and transfers so you don't have to. (Customers may be directed to a bus or light rail option instead with arrival times if theyll be best-served by those modes.). For eligible senior, disabled or low income riders, the pass is good for fares up to $1.75. With our belief in mobility as a human right, we focus first on safety, equity, and sustainability. A King County Metro Flex vehicle awaits riders in Renton. ORCA LIFT products can only be purchased by using an ORCA card. When boarding the Water Taxi, Access, the Seattle Center Monorail, Via to Transit, and Trailhead Direct, the loading agent or cashier will scan your card. Because of the scattershot evolution of the system, there is no easily discernible pattern to the route numbers, although there are clusters in certain neighborhoods. Condition. Learn more and apply for a Free Youth Transit Pass here. To provide an even better, more consistent experience for riders, three existing services Community Ride, Ride Pingo to Transit and Via to Transit will become Metro Flex. On Metro RapidRide buses, or when travelling on Third Avenue in downtown Seattle, the driver will always give you a paper transfer when paying with cash. What transit agencies can I access using a Transit GO Ticket? The system will extend the legacy RFID-based TSP system. One-way senior/disabled Link fares are $1 for all trips, regardless of the distance traveled. In 2021, the system had a ridership of 52,368,400, or about 215,700 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2022. This transfer also acts as your receipt for proof of payment. Everything you need for a great commute is at the tap of your finger. 1", "Transit Signal Priority tests a success,more signal synchronization planned countywide", City never responded to Metro's request to plow routes, bus chief says, In Transit Newsletter, July/August 2008 issue, "Open Transit Software Foundation History", "Pilot Project for Real-time Bus Information System on Aurora Avenue North", "ORCA smart card limited rollout gets underway", "The evolution of Metro buses - video transcript", Metro Employees Historic Vehicle Association (MEHVA), Central Puget Sound Regional Fare Coordination, Comparative study between Diesel and GM Hybrid bus fleets operating in Seattle (King County), Why You Should Trust King County Metro Trip Planner, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=King_County_Metro&oldid=1142522551, Transit authorities with alternative-fuel vehicles, Transportation in King County, Washington, 1973 establishments in Washington (state), Articles with dead external links from August 2018, Articles with dead external links from April 2019, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2019, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2019, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2009, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2021, Wikipedia articles in need of updating from May 2015, All Wikipedia articles in need of updating, Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2009, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. A free transfer is available to cash, ORCA, and mobile app riders. Custom routes that serve schools in Bellevue and on Mercer Island are numbered in the 800s (823, 824, 886892) and routes serving the private Lakeside School and University Prep numbered in the higher 900s (980995). Use your smart phone to buy and use transit tickets. [3] The fleet includes a mix of electric trolleybuses, diesel-electric hybrids, and battery electric buses. Yes, cash will continue to be accepted on Metro buses, and via ticket vending machines for other transit services.
Metro bus driver Lisa Nault, who campaigned recently for Prop 1 downtown, said there is a fallback: a free shuttle in downtown to replace the ride free zone. It's a privilege to serve our hundreds of thousands of daily riders.