Showing posts with label metro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label metro. Show all posts

Upcoming 60% design engagement for Stride S3 Line bus

Sunday, February 19, 2023

Expect changes to Route 522
and to Bothell Way
From Sound Transit

We released the Stride S3 Line 60% draft design plans for Seattle, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park and Kenmore in November 2022. 

(Stride S3 is the bus rapid transit line from Woodinville to the Sound Transit stations on the Lynnwood Link.)

Since then, we have continued to advance the designs. Later this spring, an online open house will be available to learn more about the 60% designs for the Stride S3 Line as well as the S1 Line and S2 Line. 

Information about partner agency projects will also be available.

The project team will host drop-in sessions in Shoreline, Lake Forest Park and Kenmore where the public can speak with subject matter experts and learn more about design refinements. 

Look for another project update soon with additional details on the online open house and drop-in sessions.



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King County Metro’s Lynnwood Link connections

Photo courtesy Metro Transit
King County Metro has begun outreach to help determine updated bus routes when Link light rail extends to Lynnwood. 

In addition to the new light rail stations, the current ST Express 522 route may be changed to match the planned Stride service between Bothell and Shoreline as early as 2024 or 2025.

The Lynnwood Link Connections mobility project will address changing transit needs and improve mobility options for communities in northwest King County and southwest Snohomish County. 

Metro is collaborating with Sound Transit and Community Transit, among other partners, to coordinate bus routes based on feedback from communities.

Collected feedback will help shape how bus riders transfer to Link light rail in Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline and North Seattle. 

Metro is accepting feedback through March 10.




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Getting to a Sound Transit station by bus

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

By Diane Hettrick

The Lynnwood Link will start running in 2024. We have stations at NE 148th, NE 185th, and Mountlake Terrace.

How will you get to a station to catch one of those trains? 

Many people will be able to walk. Some might drive but I promise you that the parking will be inadequate and expensive.

How about the bus?

Metro did a survey last year to find out what we need to get to transit stations. They heard what we said: there are no east west routes and it is hazardous and difficult to get to existing bus stops.

They have designed routes to correct that, as much as possible, and they want to know what we think.


Take a look at the map and see if Metro can get you to a transit station. I was delighted to see an easy route for me to the Mountlake Terrace station - not what I was expecting. However, I'm not sure I can get home from there.

And I'm not looking forward to my neighborhood being parked solid with commuters.

If you can get to Richmond Beach Road / 185th, you have a straight shot to the 185th station.

Kenmore and Lake Forest Park are also pointed at the Mountlake Terrace station, if they can get to Ballinger Way.

So check it out and make your suggestions to Metro and maybe we will end up with something we can use.



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Help Shape the Future of Transit in Lake Forest Park

Friday, January 13, 2023

When Lynnwood Link opens in 2024 bus routes in your neighborhood will look different. 

Help King County Metro create routes that work for you! 

Your feedback is needed on route locations, how often buses run, and more. Find project details and the survey here.

Review the proposed bus routes and let Metro know what you think; the survey is open now through March 10. Visit the Lynnwood Link Connections webpage to learn more.

In addition to the survey, Metro is hosing three virtual open houses:
  • Tuesday, January 24 from 12:00 - 1:30pm (register here)
  • Saturday, February 4 from 10:00 - 11:30am (register here)
  • Monday, February 27 from 6:00 – 7:30pm (register here)


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Metro proposes bus route changes to serve light rail stations - take the survey

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Detail from map of proposed bus routes from Metro

As Sound Transit extends Link light rail north to five new stations in coming years, King County Metro is working to improve public transportation for communities in northwest King County and southwest Snohomish County.

Working in collaboration with Sound Transit, Community Transit, and other partners, Metro is developing potential bus route improvements to meet residents’ priority transportation needs as new light rail stations open in 2024.

“With Link light rail’s five new stations under construction from Northgate to Lynnwood, we’re delivering on our vision to build a world-class regional transit network connecting millions more people with reliable, carbon-free transportation,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine, who also serves as Sound Transit Board Chair. 
“The mobility needs of our communities are a top priority and have shaped the initial planning. Now, we are seeking public guidance to ensure the voices of our riders are heard as we expand and improve Metro bus service to connect to our newest light rail stations.”

We invite you to learn more and take our survey on these proposed bus routes by March 10.

What we’ve heard so far

When we surveyed the communities around the coming north King and South Snohomish County stations in 2022, we heard it’s currently difficult to travel east-west across this area, and improving these options is important. People also told us they value more all-day bus service instead of peak-only service, and that longer travel time is a barrier to more transit usage.

Other community priorities included
  • Transferring between modes should be convenient, accessible and reliable.
  • Night owl service is important for those traveling later in the evening.
  • There are destinations and neighborhoods in the area that don’t currently have transit service.
Our proposed bus route changes

Based on what we heard from the public and our partners in our first round of engagement, we are proposing bus route changes to
  • Create new east-west connections to light rail and community destinations.
  • Provide more all-day service instead of peak-only service.
  • Add additional service on nights and weekends.

These proposed route changes incorporate feedback from our first survey, conversations with community-based organizations, and in-depth review and input from our community board and key partners, including other transit agencies.

Visit our Lynnwood Link project page to review each route in detail.

We’ll use your feedback on these potential routes to create a final bus service proposal for community review later this year.



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ELNA meeting Tuesday: "Metro Transit in Shoreline, Providing Service in a Changing Region"

Saturday, April 16, 2022


"Metro Transit in Shoreline, Providing Service in a Changing Region" is the topic for the Echo Lake Neighborhood Association meeting Tuesday April 19, 2022 7-9pm on Zoom.

Speaker Chris Arkills is the Government Relations Officer for King County Metro Transit. He will be discuss aspects of present and future service in our City.

He will address such timely issues related to providing service such as the increasing problems with maintaining clean and safe conditions at Aurora Village, Rapid Ride stops, and other service locations.

He will also discuss future changes to the routes when the Lynnwood LINK Light Rail system begins operating from their stations in 2024.

Finally, he will discuss potential changes to the 192nd and Aurora Park and Ride and the potential for Transit Oriented Development at that location.

Contract ELNABoard@gmail.com for the Zoom link to the meeting.



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Metro Transit open house - discussion of Lynnwood Link and upcoming transit restructure

Friday, March 11, 2022


By 2025, Sound Transit will open five new light rail stations connecting Northgate to Lynnwood, with stations in Shoreline and Mountlake Terrace.

Come to a virtual Open House for a discussion on the project and upcoming transit restructure. There are two sessions to choose from, please register in advance.
 
Thursday, March 17 from 7-8pm
Zoom registration: https://kingcounty.zoom.us/.../WN_nhxfRk3CSFKbqPtBNCzxoA

Saturday, March 19 from 10-11am
Zoom registration: https://kingcounty.zoom.us/.../WN_zIWZxSW0Qk6_2E5uI7RDUg

Visit the project page to learn more. https://kingcounty.gov/.../lynnwood-link-connections.aspx



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Metro launches Lynnwood Link survey, seeks mobility board members

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

The Sound Transit stations will open in 2024.
Will you be able to get to them?
King County Metro is preparing for Sound Transit’s expansion north to Shoreline and Snohomish County and wants the public to get involved. 

In 2024, Sound Transit Link light rail will open four new stations connecting Northgate to Lynnwood. A fifth station will open on the extension in 2025.

The Lynnwood Link Connections project will deliver updated bus service that complements the new light rail stations. 

To best serve nearby communities, they are reaching out to residents in Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, Mountlake Terrace, North Seattle, and Shoreline for their thoughts.

A core component of planning new transit opportunities is improving mobility and access for historically underserved populations.

Here are some great opportunities to help shape the future of transit in northwest King County through Lynnwood Link Connections:

Interested in the Mobility Board? We’re looking for people who:
  • Live, work, and/or travel within northwest King County.
  • Are a transit rider or a potential transit rider.
  • Bring a perspective as an individual (not as an organization).
  • Are interested in drawing connections between racial equity, transportation issues, and access to opportunities.

More information about the Lynnwood Link extension is available on the Sound Transit website.

We want our Mobility Board to equitably represent groups of people who have historically been left out of decision-making related to transit and who are disproportionately affected by these decisions. 

We strongly encourage people with the following identities and lived experiences to apply: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; immigrants and refugees; people who speak languages other than English; residents who are low-income or no-income; and people with disabilities.

The webpage, survey and mobility board application are available in 10 languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese (simplified), Korean, Russian, Japanese, Tagalog, Somali, Vietnamese and Amharic.

Questions? Prefer the application be emailed or mailed to you? Contact the Lynnwood Link Connections team at haveasay@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-1939.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
  • Elaine Porterfield, PIO, King County Metro, 206-316-6507
  • John Gallagher, PIO, Sound Transit, 206-689-4980
  • Monica Spain, Communications, Community Transit, 425-521-5270


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ORCA Lift Subsidized Annual Pass for qualified riders

Monday, December 7, 2020


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 subsidized fares.

Eligibility – Customers who reside in King, Pierce, or Snohomish County and are enrolled in one of the six state benefit programs.

APPLY NOW! For more information, visit WashingtonConnection or call 877-501-2233. Expansions are expected in 2022 to serve more customers that have household incomes at or below 80% of the federal poverty level.



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Subsidized transit pass for King County Metro and Sound Transit

Sunday, November 15, 2020

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 subsidized fares.

Eligibility – Customers who reside in King, Pierce, or Snohomish County and are enrolled in one of the six state benefit programs:
  1. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)/State Family Assistance (SFA)
  2. Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)
  3. Aged, Blind, or Disabled Cash Assistance (ABD)
  4. Pregnant Women Assistance (PWA)
  5. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  6. Housing and Essential Needs (HEN)

APPLY NOW! For more information, visit WashingtonConnection or call 877-501-2233. Expansions are expected in 2022 to serve more customers that have household incomes at or below 80% of the federal poverty level.



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King county Metro retires the last diesel bus

Saturday, October 24, 2020

King county Executive Dow Constantine celebrates the retirement of the last diesel bus in the Metro fleet. Photo courtesy King county.


On Friday, October 23, 2020 King county Metro retired the last of their diesel only coaches, a step toward reducing our GHG emissions and continuing transition to a zero-emission future, one of the goals set in Executive Constantine's Strategic Climate Action Plan.

After 21 years of service to the residents of King County, King County Metro is celebrating the “retirement” of the last diesel-only coaches in its fleet, continuing the agency’s commitment to a zero-emission future.

After the first “1100” model coaches joined Metro in 1999, the fleet had 1,100 diesel-only coaches. Today, that number is zero. All Metro coaches are now either fully-hybrid (diesel-electric) or zero-emission coaches (electric trolleys and battery-electric coaches). Metro proudly joins only a handful of large transit agencies in the U.S. that have a fleet that does not include fully-diesel coaches.

However, the “1100” model coaches long served as the workhorse of Metro’s fleet, leaving behind a legacy of providing a safe, reliable alternative to single-occupancy vehicles, logging more than 62 million miles, and carrying hundreds of thousands of passengers.

Five years after the “1100” model coaches’ introduction, Metro purchased the first of its hybrid (diesel-electric) coaches and the transition to more environmentally-friendly coaches began. Then, in 2015 and again in 2020, Metro committed to help meet the goals of King County’s Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP).

Prior to the pandemic, public transportation in King County helped take an estimated 190,000 cars off the road each weekday across King County. Transitioning from diesel-only buses to hybrid buses made an already green system even greener by generating 17% fewer greenhouse gases and 97% fewer particulate air pollution emissions per bus.

Additionally, Metro’s entire fleet will be comprised of zero-emission vehicles powered by renewable energy by 2040 or sooner, as technology and capital projects allow. Moving to an entirely zero-emission fleet powered by renewable energy allows for the elimination of all emissions while keeping our county moving forward. Once this transition is complete fleetwide, it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking another 30,000 cars off the road.

In spring 2021, 40 new battery-electric coaches will roll off Metro bases and onto the streets of King County. These New Flyer vehicles are the next generation of coaches and, by 2028, Metro will add 260 more battery-electric buses to the fleet along with the accompanying charging infrastructure. This transition supports Metro’s “Mobility Framework”—the agency’s blueprint for centering equity and sustainability in our policies—recommendation in meeting the county’s climate goals by electrifying Metro’s fleet and promoting climate justice.




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Councilmember Dembowski to hold Town Hall with Metro re restructuring transit in our region

Sunday, October 11, 2020

Rod speaking at an event highlighting Metro Transit's new and improved safety measures for operators and riders. Photo courtesy King County Council


From King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski

I hope you can join me and Councilmembers Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Girmay Zahilay on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 6:00pm for a joint Zoom town hall with King County Metro. With three new light rail stations opening in north Seattle next year, Metro has the opportunity to improve and reimagine how you travel in north King County.

This is your opportunity to provide feedback to Metro on restructuring transit in our region. We will also discuss how Metro is adapting during the COVID-19 Pandemic and what to expect from transit service in the coming year.

The town hall will take place over Zoom and will be streamed on Facebook Live, and will include interpretive services. You can find more information on the North Link Connections Mobility Project and details on how to join our town hall at: www.kingcounty.gov/townhall. If you have limited access to the internet, please contact my office for additional options to participate in the town hall at 206-477-0911.



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Metro Transit Police arrest a predator who tried to buy a child at the Aurora Village Transit Center

Thursday, October 1, 2020


On the morning of Tuesday, September 22, 2020, a 43 year old male suspect spoke with a young mother and her two year old child at the Aurora Village Transit Center on N 200th and offered to buy her child for $1500. The victim declined and the suspect gave her his phone number and email address in case she changed her mind.

The mother called the King County Sheriff's Office later that day and the case was forwarded to the Metro Transit Police Street Crimes Unit for investigation. A detective identified the suspect using information the suspect provided to the child's mother.

A detective contacted the suspect, posing as the child's mother and telling him that she was only 17 years old. The suspect told the detective he was no longer interested in purchasing the child and instead wanted the 17 year old mother (really the detective) to become a prostitute and work for him.

On Tuesday evening, September 28, the suspect came to a Metro Transit Station where he thought he was to meet the 17 year old for sex. He was arrested without incident.

Once at the precinct, the suspect asked to use the phone to call a friend. He urged his friend to get to the suspect's hotel room immediately and gather all belongings. Since this indicated there was likely further evidence of criminal activity in the room, Metro police personnel responded to the hotel to secure the room.

A search warrant was obtained and the room searched. A firearm was recovered and a records check revealed the firearm was reported stolen.

The suspect was booked into King County Jail for Investigation of Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor (CSAM) and Promoting CSAM. Metro Street Crimes Unit continues to investigate.




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Metro fares return Thursday


Fares return Oct 1 — tap your ORCA card for an easier, healthier way to pay. Follow updated safety guidelines onboard.


On Thursday, October 1, Metro resumes collecting fares for all transit services: buses, Access paratransit, Seattle Streetcar (First Hill and South Lake Union), Vanpool, Via to Transit and other flexible services, and water taxi (Vashon Island and West Seattle). Fare collection is already taking place on Sound Transit Express bus and Sound Transit light rail.

In anticipation of growing ridership, Metro has implemented numerous health innovations so fares can be safely collected with minimal contact between operators and passengers. Metro is installing transparent safety partitions on buses, Access paratransit, Community Ride, Community Van, DART, and Via to Transit. Water taxi’s fare collection carts have been similarly modified to include a transparent shield.

Metro is encouraging riders to use a contactless payment option—such as an ORCA card—to speed up the boarding process, and further protect both themselves and the operator.

Sign up for transit alerts and text your stop ID to 62550 for departure times.




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Give Metro feedback on bus service to three new Light Link rail stations

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

King County Metro is seeking a final round of public feedback on concepts for updating bus service to integrate with three new Sound Transit Link Light rail stations in 2021.


These concepts were developed with the help of a community-based Mobility Board and were informed by broader public feedback on service needs and priorities.

Learn more about the project by visiting this link: kingcounty.gov/metro/northlink.

Tell us what you think of this latest round of changes by completing this survey: kingcounty.gov/metro/northlinksurvey

The survey will be open until November 1, 2020.




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Metro route 331 to be rerouted Thursday and Friday

Thursday, September 3, 2020

Metro double bus coming into a bus stop with a large shelter. Photo courtesy Metro Transit.


On Thursday, September 3 and Friday, September 4, 2020 from 7:30am until 4:00pm each day, Metro Route 331 will be rerouted off a portion of northbound Dayton Ave N and NW Richmond Beach Rd, due to construction near N 185th St.

During these times, Route 331 heading toward the Kenmore Park and Ride will travel instead via N 185th St, 3rd Ave NW and then on to its regular route. Riders may board or exit at the regular stops on Dayton Ave N south of N 185th St or on 3rd Ave NW north of NW Richmond Beach Rd.

Heading toward Shoreline Community College, Route 331 is not affected and all regular stops are served.

Visit Metro’s Service Advisories page for information about revised bus service, routing and stops for planned construction or events. Transit reroute start and end times may be subject to change.



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Federal Transit Administration awards Sound Transit $4.8 million to procure buses for SR 522 BRT project

Saturday, August 15, 2020

Sound Transit concept image of a Stride BRT station on SR 522/NE 145th St


The Federal Transit Administration has awarded Sound Transit $4.8 million to procure up to five high-capacity transit buses for the agency’s SR 522 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. The project, which will be known as the Stride 3 Line, will deliver new, expanded service for north Lake Washington communities, including Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, and Kenmore..

“Stride 3 will help relieve traffic congestion in the rapidly growing cities that it will serve,” said Sound Transit Board Member and Kenmore Mayor David Baker. 
“In light of the financial impact of COVID-19 on Sound Transit, this grant is especially important now. We are grateful to the FTA and our congressional delegation for their ongoing support to improve transit in our region.”


The grant comes from the FTA’s Bus and Bus Facilities Grant Program, which provides funding to states and transit agencies through a statutory formula to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities. Sound Transit will provide a 20% local match for the grant.

The BRT project was approved by voters in 2016 as part of the Sound Transit 3 measure. The SR 522 BRT project connects six cities with 13 stations: Seattle, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Bothell and Woodinville. The SR 522 BRT will connect to light rail service at the Shoreline South station on 145th, allowing quick, easy access to jobs, education, healthcare and housing.

BRT riders will be able to reliably travel from University of Washington Bothell to Shoreline South/145th light rail station in 22 minutes. During congested periods, the trip can take up to 45 minutes. BRT service will run every 10 minutes all day.

BRT service differs from traditional bus service in that it makes fewer stops and travels longer distances, with faster loading and unloading as boarding is allowed via all three doors.

The payment system enables riders to quickly board on all three doors. Enhancements such as raised boarding areas and display screens that show bus arrival times enhance user experience, while features such as transit signal priority and use of dedicated lanes for transit, HOVs, and business access increase both speed and reliability.

BRT is tailored to meet the needs of commuters and those who need fast service traveling over long distances.

The anticipated date for when SR522 BRT service will begin is 2024/2025. The schedule is subject to change due to impacts from the COVID-19 recession and the ongoing Sound Transit Board realignment process.




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Metro and Sound Transit to suspend fares to protect drivers

Sunday, March 22, 2020

Ride free - use the rear door
Starting Sunday, March 22, 2020 Metro and Sound Transit will suspend fares until further notice in order to protect their drivers and operators.

Riders also will be directed to board and exit at the rear doors of buses, reserving front-door access for customers using mobility devices or who require use of the boarding ramp.


“As this crisis evolves, we are constantly reviewing all of our practices and policies to provide the best service while keeping people safe," said Executive Dow Constantine. 
"Changing how riders board and exit our bus fleet and also suspending all fares is part of that effort. It is essential to keep this community on the move, and I thank all the operators, mechanics, support staff, and riders who are helping us get through this, together.”

As previously reported Metro and Sound Transit are reducing the number of trips on routes, which have seen a dramatic drop in ridership because of the pandemic. Riders should check to be sure their run is still scheduled.



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Metro has new disinfectant protocols for busses

Friday, March 6, 2020

Metro worker sanitizing a bus
Photo courtesy Metro Transit
As of Thursday morning, March 5, 2020, all passengers and operators are boarding fully disinfected buses across King County Metro’s system. 

Metro crews are now cleaning every bus every night using 21 newly acquired backpack sprayers distributed evenly across its seven bases. 

This practice will continue for the foreseeable future as part of Metro’s ongoing efforts to support the health and safety of passengers, employees, and community members.

Amid a quickly-evolving situation, Metro’s fast response to novel coronavirus has been at the direction of King County Executive Dow Constantine and in close coordination with Public Health – Seattle and King County.



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New free Metro Pass Program approved by King Council, will serve up to 54,000 residents

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Orca card
The King County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a new income-based fare program for Metro that will provide free bus passes for qualifying King County residents with incomes at or below 80% of the federal poverty level, or about $21,000 for a family of four.

“This legislation will be life changing to our neighbors living in poverty by enabling them to have mobility, to pursue opportunity, and to live their lives,” said King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski, sponsor of the legislation. 
“Our County’s namesake, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, said ‘There is nothing new about poverty. What is new is that we now have the techniques and the resources to get rid of poverty. The real question is whether we have the will.’ 
"This legislation is a very strong down payment on the will to combat poverty. We are leveraging one of the strongest tools we have, our transit system, to help those who need it the most. This is a big deal and it represents the very best of King County Government.”

Set to go into effect by mid-year, the program has potential to serve up to 54,000 residents. Those who already qualify for other low-income state programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Supplemental Security Income will be eligible for the passes.

“Unfortunately, for many in our community the cost of transit is a barrier to being able to get or keep a job, get an education and access health care,” said Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles, co-sponsor of the legislation. “Too many of our most vulnerable neighbors living on the margins are being impaired by a lack of affordable access to mobility."

Participants will receive ORCA LIFT cards loaded with a pass that covers rides on Metro buses, Access vans, Seattle streetcars, King County Water Taxi, Via shuttles and Trailhead Direct.

The pass would not fully cover fares on other regional transit, but in some cases will offer a discounted fare.



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