Transferring to another service is easy with the ORCA card. King County Metro will launch Metro Flex on March 6. It was launched for public use on April 20, 2009, along with six other transit agencies in the region. [8] The state legislature approved the formation of a combined transportation, sewage, and planning authority in 1957, but the countywide referendum was rejected by a majority outside of Seattle. It will also be used in conjunction with GPS technology to provide frequent and accurate location updates for next bus arrival signs at RapidRide stations. Increase service on high-ridership routes that provide frequent, two-way connections throughout the agency's service area. [51], King County Metro has a flat rate fare structure for all riders. Metro is contracted to operate special custom buses. . (King County) King County Metro will start rolling out a new on-demand microtransit service, Metro Flex, on March 6th. As long as you transfer within 2 hours, your original fare will be credited toward the next leg of your journey. Metro has a regional trip planner that provides itineraries for transit trips within King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, including those on Sound Transit services, Washington State Ferries, the Seattle Center Monorail, and the Seattle Streetcar. We think our on-demand services will now be even better and more convenient, and we urge riders to download the Metro Flex app. [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]. We connect people to their communities. 511 Following. ORCA is the easiest way to pay your fare. Learn more Adult Orca. Tickets are not available for King County Vanpool and Vanshare. Metro was reluctant to adopt low-floor buses, not buying any until 2003. 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. We started out by waiving the fee for new youth ORCA cards back in December 2020. Metro operates out of several transit centers located throughout King County, some of which are shared with Sound Transit and other county agencies. Whentransferring from Linkto Sounder train, keep in mind that Sounder train fares are distance based as well. Transit GO Ticket: Using the app (English) . Updated: May 29, 2014. The Metro-operated Sound Transit Express routes are numbered in the 500s. ORCA transfer is valid on Sound Transit buses and trains, Seattle Streetcar, King County Water Taxi, and other . Any eligible person may apply for an RRFP card online via the Reduced Fare Portal or in person at the Metro Pass Sales Office. "Free downtown bus service to be cut in compliance with security plan". Implementation of RapidRide routes in five arterial corridors. Tacoma Link fares continue to be free thanks to funding from the Tacoma Business Improvement Area. Check Twitter feeds for transit agencies for current service updates prior to travel. For fares up to $3.50 $8.00/day. In 1998, the fleet was updated with an Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system that utilizes battery-powered beacons that read the RFID tags and communicate the buses' location to Metro. When. Currently only credit cards, debit cards and cash uploads are accepted as means of payment. Most service is operated in a hub-and-spoke pattern centered either on downtown Seattle or the University of Washington, with lesser amounts of crosstown service. 10:32 a.m. 11:02 a.m. Leaving. ORCA works on the seven major public transportation agencies serving the region. If the actual fare exceeds the fare value on the pass, a fare upgrade is required. Use your ORCA card or the Transit GO Ticket app for touch-free payment. A King County Metro Flex vehicle awaits riders in Renton. If you are transferring, ask the driver for a paper transfer at the time you pay. Not good on Kitsap Fast Ferries or Washington State Ferries. The bus system was known as Metro Transit and began operations on January 1, 1973. I am honored to be the newest leader of King County Metro. Show your screen to the fare officer when boarding the Water Taxi. [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]. These routes require significant deadheading (particularly on the one-way routes), as well as a very large part-time labor force, both of which drive up costs. More about E-purse, Value stored on an ORCA card $5.00 $400.00, A regional transit pass valid for unlimited rides in the valid month. Metroway bus rapid transit service began on August 24, 2014, with a stop on . Riders with mobility needssuch as using a wheelchaircan save this information within their Metro Flex profile. Metro has 237 bus routes that combine service patterns typical of both city and suburban bus networks, carrying over 400,000 daily passengers as of 2019[update]. Thanks to action by the state Legislature, King County Metro soon will be moving forward with a zero fare for youth and accelerate its progress on zero-emission bus projects. Time. Most stations and some stops in Downtown Seattle have ORCA card readers that allow passengers to pay before the bus arrives and board at any of the buses' three doors. Public transit operator in King County, Washington, US, A King County Metro bus operating on Route 157 in. Using an ORCA card allows all passengers to transfer for free to bus and rail. Routes with Night Owl service include the 7, 36, 48, 49, 120, 124, 160, 161, and the RapidRide A, C, D, and E Lines. [32] The network plan was first implemented during the February 2019 snowstorm. Tacoma Link trains run every 12 minutes most of the day on weekdays and Saturday, and every 24 minutes on Sunday. Metro believes SaFE reform is a necessary step on its journey to becoming an anti-racist mobility agency. When transferring to bus, you only need to tap your card once as you enter the bus. [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). The agency continues to plan changes to buses that would allow fare collection to safely resume-and may open the door for increases in capacity limits. King County Metro is looking to reform its transit safety, security, and fare enforcement policies and practices through the SaFE reform initiative. Intended to encourage transit usage, improve accessibility and encourage downtown shopping, the zone was created in September 1973 and was originally called the "Magic Carpet" zone. A horse-drawn streetcar rail system debuted in Seattle in 1884 as the Seattle Street Railway. Need help? Riders may also pay with credit or debit card, but not with cash. Paper transfers and mobile tickets are only valid on Metro buses only. [48], Metro's higher-than-average cost per boarding can be at least partially attributed to its high percentage of commuter routes, which run at peak hours only, and often only in one direction at a time. To view this site, you need [1][33] In August 2019, the King County Council voted to waive transit fares during snow emergencies. Route numbers in the lower 900s (901931) are used for Dial-a-Ride services, while shuttles connecting to the King County Water Taxi are numbered in the 700s. The permit is free, a replacement will cost $3. 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. King County will also offer virtual Neighborhood Pop-Ups online. Any state or federal document that contains your name and birthdate. Arriving. Regional Day Pass. If you are transferring to another Metro bus or Metro RapidRide bus, show your activated ticket to the driver when boarding, or fare enforcement officer if asked. Youth 18 and under ride for free on all Sound Transit services. King County Metro Fare Costs. Are the prices for Transit GO Tickets the same as with paying with cash? Its critical we move riders where they need to get to, when they need to travel. 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. King Street Center 201 S. Jackson St . Load only permissions are given to ORCA accounts that either 1) link without a security code, or 2) link with a security code, but the card has already given full access . Keep it with you at all times when riding because a fare enforcement officer may ask to see it. Passport, OR. To take advantage of other electronic transfers and other features, one should use ORCA. Several routes were also split between trunk routes using articulated buses and shuttles to serve hillier areas with smaller buses. A rider can select to save their tickets to their phone or to the cloud under the ticket storage menu. The tickets have exactly the same price as paying with cash. King County Metro and Sound Transit have partnered to create a new, subsidized annual pass program, allowing qualified riders to travel on select transit in our region with 100% subsidized fares. Learn more and apply for a Free Youth Transit Pass here. 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. This project beautifies our neighborhoods, helps deter vandalism and connects communities to public art. But with the growing demand for other street uses, such as pedestrian access and bike lanes, and the desire to keep bus operators safe and comfortable, a layover facility is needed. Youth (age 6- 18) $1.50. The purpose of the project is to implement a coordinated regional transit network on the Eastside that gets people where they need and want to go. No other transfers to other systems are allowed. 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]. [8][10], After two failed attempts to enable it to build a regional rapid transit system, it was authorized to operate a regional bus system in 1972. Customer Information Office. If you don't know which of these to apply for, get help finding out which ORCA fare is right for you. Due to bridge/tunnel rehab project, express shuttles operate btwn Pentagon, Smithsonian Archives & Metro Center. Before boarding Link light rail, RapidRide, the Sounder commuter train, and the Seattle Streetcar, tap your ORCA card on a yellow card reader outside/on the platform. Transfer fare is calculated and applied automatically between services. If you tap before you board, you do not need to tap again on the bus. Home, work or school is just a short, on-demand ride away from your Link light rail station. Riders will be able to request pickup and drop-off within defined service areas via a mobile app, which is similar to . Transfer fare is calculated automatically between services. Neither are valid on Sounder trains or Link light rail. Transferring betweenservices is easy with the ORCA card. It also found that unloading outbound coaches once outside the RFA took additional time, though not entirely quantified vis--vis time saved within the RFA. 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. Tickets stored on the cloud require Wi-Fi or cellular data to access and activate. Getting there can be half the fun, as long as you follow a few common sense rules. How much time might riders save using Transit GO Tickets? Drivers cannot accept tips. ORCA transfer is valid on Sound Transit buses and trains, Seattle Streetcar, King County Water Taxi, and other transit providers. * Online at the Reduced Fare Portal ** For King County & Sound Transit only. 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. Regional Reduced Fare Permit for senior riders (age 65 or older), riders with a disability, Medicare card holders and U.S. military with ID. Directs external communications and reputation management for recent winner of the Best Large Transit Agency in North America that delivers hundreds of thousands of . Metro is also contracted to operate and maintain Sound Transit's Central Link light rail line and eight of the agency's Sound Transit Express bus routes along with the Seattle Streetcar lines owned by the City of Seattle. ? Partnerships with cities and major employers to provide more service than could otherwise be provided through typical resources. If boarding through the rear doors, be prepared to show your activated ticket to a fare enforcement officer, if asked. Starting September 2022, 18 or younger ride public transportation for free. Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies. in your browser. Hamissi Mamba of Baobab Fare competed on Food Network's "Chopped," won and donated $10,000 to Freedom . Our fare engagement program has changed who checks fares and how they do it, the way warnings and ticket resolutions work, and the process for resolving fare non-payment. Metro discontinued the project in 2005, citing the cost of maintenance and technical problems. -Krista Glotzbach, Head of Via Western U.S. Partnerships. The Transit GO Ticket app is a great way to get anywhere you want to go in the Seattle area. The expiration date and time are displayed at the bottom of the screen. It's a privilege to serve our hundreds of thousands of daily riders. 2014 summary of achievements and progress meeting goals identified in Metro's Sustainability Plan. 161 E 110th St Unit 2-C, New York, NY 10029. In 2021, the system had a ridership of 52,368,400, or about 215,700 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2022. Metro's field trip program provides inexpensive travel for King County schools and youth programs such as clubs, scouts, and daycampers. Paper transfers and mobile tickets are only valid on Metro buses only. .. Metros Customer Service group can assist with most questions regarding functionality, navigation, ticket validation and payment issues. Transit GO Ticket: Using the app (English), Find certified small business contractors and suppliers. Bus Rapid Transit Streetcar/Monorail. [58] The tunnel is now exclusively used by light rail trains, and its ownership is planned to be transferred to Sound Transit in 2022. Pay your Link fare with: **RequiresRegional Reduced Fare Permit. King County Metro Transit. Low-floor coaches have slightly reduced seating capacity (because the wheelwells intrude further into the passenger compartment) which may have been a concern. In 2010, the AVL system was replaced with a GPS-based system as part of a system-wide radio update. Available for Metro bus, King County Water Taxi, Kitsap Transit, Seattle Streetcar and Sound Transit. Fares on the King County Metro varies depending on your age. The bus stop color groupings are identified by a colored plate installed above or on the side of the bus stop sign. It is accepted for regular service for various transit providers in the region. [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. .. Last Updated November 28, 2022. [40][41], Metro uses skip-stop spacing on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Avenues in Downtown Seattle, whereby buses skip every other bus stop. Refresh this page after you have enabled JavaScript. Ways to Pay Paper Ticket. (Photo by Doug Trumm) King County Metro riders will continue to enjoy fare-free rides through September. One-way adult fares range between $3.25 and $5.75, depending on how far you travel. Adult, Youth and Senior (RRFP) ORCA Cards, Regional Reduced Fare Permit for Riders with a Disability. See if you qualify, A more affordable way to get to work, school, shopping, day care or anywhere else you need to go. [49], Metro's lowest-cost route overall, route 4 (East Queen Anne to Judkins Park), had a cost per boarding of only $0.46 during peak hours in 2009. 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. In addition to the bases, maintenance of the fleet and operation of the system are supported by several other facilities. What. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 290 W 232nd St Unit 14D, BRONX, NY 10463. Available on ORCA cards only and is valid for all transit providers in the Central Puget Sound region. All county transit services including buses, Access paratransit, Vanpool, and Via to Transit will be requiring full fares. [45][46] A fourth route, between Tukwila International Boulevard station, Renton, and Cougar Mountain, was added in 2019. If you have an ORCA card with a monthly pass, you can ride four more weekday trains between Seattle, Edmonds and Everett with Rail Plus. Metro's cost per boarding is 38% above the national average. Senior/disabled (with Regional Reduced Fare Permit) $1. When offices first went remote, commuting dwindled, cutting into bus and light rail revenue that helped support operating costs.Those continuing to ride didn't have to pay for a while, either, as King County Metro halted passenger payments and Sound Transit stopped checking for ORCA cards. 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). People on certain government programs and all youth 18 and younger ride free. . Here's free access to a wealth of data from King County to create custom transit maps. 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. No. The J Line (formerly the Silver Line, sometimes listed as Line 910 / 950) is a 38-mile (61.2 km) bus rapid transit route that runs between El Monte, Downtown Los Angeles and Gardena, with some trips continuing to San Pedro. [19][20] It was later renamed the Ride Free Area (RFA). Transfer fare is calculated and applied automatically between services. See below for a list of low-income adult fares by service. Bus, paratransit, water taxi & vanpools across Seattle & King County. For eligible senior, disabled or low income riders, the pass is good for fares up to $1.75. Learn more. Can my driver help me if the Transit GO Ticket app isnt working? Sanger, S.L (August 21, 1987). On Metro buses, board through the front door, and show the activated ticket on your mobile device screen to the driver. Three shuttle services contracted out to private operators, including Via, were merged in 2023 under the "Metro Flex" brand. One-way low-income adult fares are $1.00, regardless of distance traveled. (522, 542, 545, 550, 554). They are twice the one-way fare and are valid for travel only on the date purchased, between the stations printed on the ticket. [13][14] In 1992, after gaining approval by popular vote, the municipality's roles and authorities were assumed by the government of King County. Tickets must be purchased prior to boarding. Transferring betweenservices is easy with the ORCA card. Riders can download and use the new Metro Flex app to book rides in Juanita, Kent, Othello, Rainier Beach, Renton Highlands, Sammamish, Skyway and Tukwila. The G Line (formerly the Orange Line) is a bus rapid transit line in Los Angeles, California, operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). From Jan. 26, 2023 to Mar. except for youth 18 and under and Tacoma Link light rail. Current fare for youth is $0 for ages 0-5 and $1.50 for ages 6-18. Where. Fares & ORCA. On 3rd Avenue, each bus route is assigned to Blue, Yellow, Red or Green stop groups and each bus stop has two color designations; in the northbound direction, every other bus stop is a Red/Yellow or Green/Blue stop, while in the southbound direction they are Green/Yellow and Red/Blue. Metro paper transfers are valid on only Metro buses. A free transfer is available to cash, ORCA, and mobile app riders. This transfer also acts as your receipt for proof of payment. This transfer also acts as your receipt for proof of payment. 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. You can only transfer between Metro buses and Metro RapidRide buses with Transit GO Ticket. Learn more and apply for a Free Youth Transit Pass here. A combination monthly pass valid for Metro Vanpool riders that provides unlimited rides on Metro buses and $99 towards your Vanpool fare. SE and 80th Ave SE. King County Metro Bus (KCM) tickets are valid only on ST Express Routes operated by KCM. 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. Present the bar code for the checker to scan and pay with cash. The closure of the bridge impacted 13 Metro routes that normally traveled across the West Seattle Bridge. Learn more, The Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) entitles senior riders (age 65 or older), to reduced fares on public transportation systems in the Puget Sound region. Rememberto tap onat your starting station andtap off at your end destination for both Link and Sounderto accurately calculate your total fare. You can also buy tickets through Metros "Marketplace" site on your PC or desktop and have the tickets appear in the app on your mobile device. Metros on-demand services were created with and designed to serve priority populations. In 1978, Metro was the first large transit agency to order high-capacity articulated buses (buses with a rotating joint). 201 S. Jackson St. Seattle, WA 98104-3856. The ORCA card is all you need to pay your fare on buses and trains in the Puget Sound region. Nearby Recently Sold Homes. Ensuring access to easy and equitable transit options is essential to helping people stay connected to their community every day, and Metro Flex is the latest way for everyone to get around King County.. When transferring to bus, you only need to tap your card once as you enter the bus. This page was last edited on 6 December 2018, at 02:21. Nearby homes similar to 50 Park Ter E Unit 7-E have recently sold between $274K to $350K at an average of $330 per square foot. In addition to credit cards, debit cards and cash uploads, are there any other payment forms accepted for purchasing Transit GO Tickets? The tunnel was closed between fall 2005 and fall 2007 to prepare it for light rail trains. [60], Metro began developing its park and rides in the 1970s using various funding sources, including federal grants. [42], Metro operates a network of 12 routes with late-night "Night Owl" service, which is defined as having regular service between midnight and 5 am. Transit Alerts at. 206-553-3000. 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. It operates between Chatsworth and North Hollywood stations in the San Fernando Valley.The 18-mile (29 km) G Line uses a dedicated, exclusive right-of-way for the entirety of its route with 17 stations located at .