Metro’s new $2.75 fare starts on July 1

Metro Rapid Ride bus

Metro is switching to a new simple fare of $2.75 for all regular adult fare passengers starting on July 1, 2018.

Riders will no longer pay additional surcharges for zones or travel during peak commute hours.

Metro’s new fare of $2.75 aims to make riding transit more convenient and avoid confusion over fare payment that leads to delays in boarding.

A single fare for adult riders also lowers the potential for fare disputes, which will help improve safety.

Metro’s fares for youth, seniors and disabled riders, and those enrolled in ORCA LIFT will not change. More information can be found on Metro’s fares page.

"A simple $2.75 flat fare makes Metro service easier to use and more accessible for hundreds of thousands of riders who depend on us every day,” Metro’s General Manager Rob Gannon said. “Just have your fare payment ready, either by ORCA card, cash or mobile ticket – no more having to think about which zone or whether you’re riding peak or off-peak.”

Metro adopted a simple fare after receiving more than 11,000 responses to two public surveys, including one in which 80 percent expressed support for a flat fare. 

Metro previously had one of the nation’s most complex fare structures, with one zone for the City of Seattle and another for all areas outside of the city, as well as extra charges during the morning and evening commute. 

Metro’s simple fare also aligns more closely with other regional transit agencies, which do not have surcharges during peak hours.

About 65 percent of Metro boardings will see no change or pay 50 cents less under the new structure. Fares for off-peak travel will increase by 25 cents – affecting about 35 percent of Metro boardings.

At the beginning of 2018, Metro increased funding for Human Services Tickets for riders with lower-income or no income. Metro also is working with ORCA agency partners to reduce the replacement card fee for ORCA LIFT customers from $5 to $3 and eliminate the $3 initial card fee for seniors and people with disabilities. Metro continues to evaluate ways to make fares easier to understand and pay.

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Survey on reserved permit parking for transit customers

Mountlake Terrace park n ride garage
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

King County Metro and Sound Transit are seeking public feedback on a parking permit system that would allow customers to pay for reserved spaces at some park-and-rides.

Customers can take an online survey through March 31, or visit the website to learn more and find a calendar of drop-in informational sessions.

Permit parking is already available for carpoolers who drive together to select park-and-rides. This proposal would expand that program to offer permits to solo drivers as well.

Drivers without permits would still be able to use park-and-rides on a first-come, first-serve basis.

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Sound Transit, King County Metro seek public feedback on reserved solo-driver permit parking at transit facilities

What do you think about reserved spaces
in Transit Centers?

Sound Transit and King County Metro are seeking public feedback on reserved solo-driver permit parking at transit facilities in an online survey.

Previously the agency implemented the permit parking program at 24 high demand locations. 

Locally, this included King County Metro locations at the Northgate Transit Center, Green Lake Park and Ride, Aurora Village Transit Center, Kenmore Park and Ride, Bothell Park and Ride.

The agencies feel that an expanded reservation program that also serves solo drivers, or single-occupancy vehicle (SOV) transit users, would provide options to better serve commuters’ needs.

Public can take the online survey or provide comment in neighborhood drop-in sessions. The closest sessions:

Edmonds Library

650 Main St, Edmonds, WA 98020

Thursday, March 15

5:00-7:00pm

Northgate Library

10548 5th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125

Sunday, March 18

1:00-3:30pm

More information »

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Celebrate New Year’s Eve with free rides on Metro

Metro's late night bus service

For the first time, King County Metro will offer free rides on New Year’s Eve between 4am on Sunday, December 31, and 4am on Monday, January 1, including DART and Access service. 

In addition, Metro will add service to its night routes.

The Seattle Streetcar will also be free on New Year's Eve and Sound Transit will extend Link light rail service between Angle Lake and the University of Washington.

"As we put the finishing touches on 2017, we want you to be able to get out on the town and come home safe," said King County Executive Dow Constantine. 

"Whether you are heading to the Seattle Center or other King County destinations on New Year’s Eve, Metro will get you there and back, all for free. It’s our way of saying thank you for making Metro the nation’s best transit system, and we look forward to riding with you next year."

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County Council approves simplifying Metro Transit fares

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The Metropolitan King County Council unanimously approved steps simplifying Metro Transit's complex fare structure to a flat $2.75 adult fare.

The new fare plan eliminates a payment system that fluctuated between time and distance and could cost an adult rider between the ages 19-64 anywhere from $2.50 to $3.25 a ride.

“We’ve heard from the community, and we are responding by making riding Metro Transit in King County easier and more convenient,” said Council Vice Chair Rod Dembowski, chair of the Council’s Transportation Economy and Environment Committee, and prime sponsor of the legislation. 

“Riders, especially ones new to the system, should have the confidence to board a Metro bus and know the required fare. I hope the flat fare makes using Metro more understandable and encourages first-time users to ride Metro.”

The new adult fare does not affect the roughly 1 in 3 Metro riders who pay ORCA Lift— Metro’s low income fare program— or youth, senior, and disabled fares. 

The proposal does away with zone and peak-period fares.

Fare simplification was recommended by the Regional Fare Forum, a group of elected officials from King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties, tasked with simplifying and modernizing the region’s transit fare policies. From March to June of 2017, Metro Transit engaged riders in an extensive survey and outreach process to develop the flat fare concept.

Metro Transit’s General Manager Rob Gannon said “Customers can expect better service overall, with faster boardings, reduced delays and improved safety due to fewer disputes over payment when the $2.75 flat fare takes effect.”

The Council also voted for additional funding to assist low income riders who are not covered by ORCA Lift and directed Metro to increase efforts to enroll eligible adults into ORCA Lift before new fares take effect.

The new fare structure will go into effect in July of 2018.

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Metro wants to hear from people who live, work, or go to school in Shoreline or Lake Forest Park

Metro wants to hear from people who live, work, or go to school in Shoreline or Lake Forest Park 

"We’ve come up with two innovative transportation options; would they help you get where you want to go?"

• Option 1 Community Ride—A reservation-based service that travels within a specific service area based on where people want to go 

• Option 2 Community Van—Metro vans for local group trips scheduled by a Community Transportation Coordinator to meet local needs 

Learn more about these options and take the survey by Monday, Sept. 4!

www.kingcounty.gov/metro/Shoreline-LFP-Survey

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County Exec proposes flat fee for Metro bus fares

County Executive Dow Constantine

King County Executive Dow Constantine announced a proposal Wednesday to simplify Metro’s fares, establishing a single $2.75 fare for all adult passengers, no matter the time of day or where they travel in King County.

The proposed ordinance also would increase assistance for passengers who earn a lower income.

Metro currently has one of the most complex fare structures in the nation, with one zone for the City of Seattle and another for all areas outside the city, as well as extra charges during the morning and evening commute.

One-third of riders in a recent survey said the current system is too complex and difficult to understand. In a proposal to the King County Council announced today, Executive Constantine streamlined Metro fares to $2.75, and increased funding for discounted tickets.

"You said you wanted simpler fares, and we made it happen. No matter where or when you ride, simpler is better,” said Executive Constantine. 

"For riders who may end up paying a little more, we’re making sure people with low incomes, seniors, and the disabled and have more access to transit than ever.”

About 65 percent of Metro customers will see no change or a fare reduction, according to boarding data.

Metro spent six months hearing from customers, and received more than 11,000 responses to two public surveys, including one in which 80 percent expressed support for a flat fare.

If the King County Council approves the proposed ordinance, it could take effect as soon as July 2018.

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Want to take the bus? Take the survey

King County Metro Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Transportation Needs Survey

Last fall, Metro conducted a survey about transportation needs for people who live, work, or go to school in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. Based on community input, Metro developed two innovative transportation options. Take the survey to provide input on how these services would help you get where you want to go in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. Survey deadline is Monday, Sept. 4th.

#1 Option - Community Ride A reservation-based service that travels within a specific service area based on where people want to go.

#2 Option - Community Van Metro vans for local group trips scheduled by a Community Transportation Coordinator to meet local needs.

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King County Metro and Sound Transit debut reduced summer ORCA youth fares

King County and Sound Transit announced special fares this summer for all youth who ride with an ORCA Youth card.

Access to destinations across the county and region will cost only $.50 per trip on King County Metro's bus network and $1 for Sound Transit's trains and buses.

Metro will distribute free ORCA Youth cards to encourage more people to take transit.

Metro and Sound Transit will offer reduced fares from mid-June through Labor Day to all youth who use an ORCA Youth card to pay their fares. Metro will provide free cards to youth who do not already have one. All youth between the ages of 6-18 are eligible.

Metro will offer free ORCA Youth cards and a special 50-cent reduced fare for young people who ride Metro buses this summer. Sound Transit will offer a $1 youth fare. Regular prices are $5 for ORCA Youth cards; $1.50 per ride for youths on Metro services; and $1.50 to $4.25 for youths riding Sound Transit trains and buses.

Metro established the pilot program to encourage more King County youth to ride transit and make it easier for young people to get around town.

“By making it easier to take Metro this summer, we help young people get to jobs, parks, libraries and all the region has to offer. We know that mobility is key to opportunity, and these reduced fares will open doors to the next generation of transit riders,” said Executive Constantine, who also serves on the Sound Transit board. 

“More people are taking public transportation than ever before. With expanded services and more buses, Metro is meeting the needs of a growing region. Encouraging young people to ride Metro and Sound Transit this summer will help them learn our transit network, and develop commuter habits to last a lifetime.”

In King County, youth riders can save up to $36 per month on Metro Transit, based on the price for a monthly pass. Metro and Sound Transit established the pilot program to encourage more youth to ride transit and make it easier for young people to get around.

Executive Constantine joined Seattle City Council and Sound Transit board member Rob Johnson to announce the ORCA Summer Youth Promotion during an event at Ingraham High School in North Seattle.

“As a region we are committed to combating climate change, increasing economic opportunity, and decreasing housing costs. The single best way to achieve all three of those goals is to create frequent and reliable access to public transportation,” Councilmember Johnson said. 

"Sound Transit is proud to join with King County Metro in providing reduced summer fares for area youth. Whether they are traveling to work, play or summer classes, this promotion will encourage young people to see how easy it is to get around on our region's interconnected network of trains and buses," said Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff.

During the school year, many students rely on ORCA cards issued by their schools. Five school districts in King County provide students with free ORCA passes as part of their student transportation programs, but those cards expire when the school year ends.

Metro averages above 400,000 ORCA youth boardings per month during the school year, but that drops to less than 130,000 during summer months.

Youth also can enjoy 50-cent fares on the Seattle Streetcar when using an ORCA Youth card.

How to get a free ORCA Youth card

Go to ORCASummerYouth.com, fill out the online form and submit along with a scanned copy of one of the following: a student ID, state ID, driver’s license or birth certificate. Cards will be mailed for free.

ORCA Youth cards also are available in person at the Metro sales office at the King Street Center in Pioneer Square at 201 South Jackson Street and at various public events and locations where Metro sets up “ORCA to GO” booths to provide customer assistance. Check Metro’s website for times and locations.

The ORCA Youth card’s e-purse will need to be loaded with monetary value or a monthly pass before it can be used. Cards can be loaded at participating retailers around King County, ORCA vending machines at Link stations, the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, major transit centers, and at the Metro pass sales office at King Street Center.

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