Metro Transit Alert – Ride Metro to summer events and destinations; take our safety survey; visit Metro’s website; travel safely

You are invited to ride Metro to summer destinations. 

Masks are still required while riding transit.

Visit the Metro Matters blog for transit news, and for updates and information about events and services.

Be prepared for service disruptions that may occur due to weekend construction or events in Metro’s service area. There are no other route or schedule changes for Metro service at this time. Watch for updates as Metro and its partner agencies continue the recovery process, and as autumn approaches.

Take Metro’s safety survey
This spring Metro introduced its Safety, Security, and Fare Enforcement (SaFE) Reform Initiative, a plan to reimagine safety and security by reforming and restructuring our security and enforcement policies and practices.

As part of that effort, through July 25, you are invited to take our survey and share your ideas about safety and security.

Recent service updates
Route 70 is returning to its Fairview Avenue routing
Metro Route 70 returns to its historic Fairview Avenue routing on Saturday afternoon, after road opening festivities.

This routing revision will operate according to the currently published schedule.

Diesel buses will continue to operate during this weekend, with electric trolley bus service resuming on Monday.

Metro’s West Seattle Water Taxi
Celebrate Metro’s ‘Water Taxi Summer

The West Seattle Water Taxi

  • Operates seven days a week from Pier 50 downtown to Seacrest Park in West Seattle 
  • Includes laterevening sailings every Friday and Saturday  
  • On weekdays, leaves the dock every 35 minutes during peak commute hours and every hour mid-day 

There is no special service for after late-evening sporting events, and no change to the Vashon Water Taxi schedule.

Check out the Water Taxi Captain’s Blog.

Trailhead Direct
King County Parks and King County Metro are operating Trailhead Direct service for the summer of 2021, featuring the Issaquah Alps and Mt Si routes, with a new Squak Mountain State Park trailhead stop added to the Issaquah Alps route. 

Metro encourages hikers to plan for safety as a first priority, especially in summer heat.

Fare news and updates
Visit Metro’s Fares & ORCA page for complete fare information. 

You can also find out which ORCA fare is right for you.

Youth aged 6-18 can now get their first ORCA card free.

The Transit GO Ticket app now accepts cash, available at participating retail locations.

Ride transit to vaccination sites
As vaccination strategies evolve with emphasis on smaller “pop-ups” and local sites, use Metro’s online trip planner to plan your transit ride to and from your vaccine.  Enter the address, intersection or associated or nearby location name. Metro’s trip planner has a tutorial and online help.

There are options for senior and youth, and for customers with lower incomes or disabilities. Customers with very low incomes may be eligible for a fully-subsidized ORCA LIFT card. Visit the Fares & ORCA page for information. 

Buses & bikes
Buses and bikes are a perfect pairing for getting around Metro’s service area, and, with a little planning, even around the greater Puget Sound area.

Metro news & updates
Visit Metro’s website and the Metro Matters blog for news and updates.

Visit Metro’s web portal to find out about applying for reduced fares online and about virtual ‘Neighborhood pop-ups’ for getting more information about Metro.

Summer brings lots of construction and events, and even weather considerations, that could cause planned or unplanned road or street closures, extra traffic, crowds in some areas and other intermittent, temporary or, in some cases, more significant disruptions that could make transit service be delayed or rerouted. 

Metro encourages riders to be aware of what is going on in the areas through which they travel, know their travel alternatives and allow plenty of time. Additional information and links to helpful tools and apps are below.

Metro service may be intermittently and temporarily interrupted or rerouted due to weather or events in its service area. See below for information about planning ahead for possible service interruptions.

See below for links to information tools and the websites of other transit agencies.

Ride safely

  • Wear a mask while riding on transit.
  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Observe and abide by posted directions, signs and decals.

Tap your ORCA card for the fastest and safest way to pay your fare. Visit Metro’s website to learn about managing your ORCA account.

Watch for new or changing information.

Transit trip updates
For the scheduled (‘s’) or predicted departure times, and other information about transit service at your stop,

Transit information

Transit service may be interrupted by weather, construction, events or activities
In areas where there are crowds, traffic, weather or events disrupting normal travel patterns or activities, transit riders are advised to be aware of conditions in their immediate vicinity, such as street closures or detours, and be prepared for delays or to make revisions to travel plans, such as using a different bus stop or a different route, based on specific circumstances.

Be prepared for unexpectedly revised traffic or routing, and for delays in transit service. Transit riders are encouraged to know the alternate routes or stops that may be near their starting points and destinations.

Depending on the time and the nature of such events, Metro may not be able to provide real-time information or service updates via email or text.  Event start and end times and other details may be subject to change.

Know before you go
During events that disrupt transit service, online or real time customer information planning tools and third-party apps may not be accurate and may not reflect temporary schedule changes.

Even during disruptive weather or other events, these systems may still provide useful information, such as maps and bus stop information.

  Thank you for riding and for using Metro’s services. Be safe.