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Another boost in King County Metro bus service begins August 30.
New and improved routes will better serve Eastside communities and help facilitate connections to Sound Transit’s 2 Line light rail stations. Metro also is adding bus service in Seattle on Route 106 funded by the voter-approved Seattle Transit Measure. On-demand service Metro Flex is expanding to Bellevue on September 15.
Full details are on Metro’s Service Change webpage. Riders can review the route updates on Metro’s web page in English, 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese), Русский (Russian), Español (Spanish) and Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese).
 Highlights of August 30 service updates
New bus routes improve connections
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Route 203: Connecting Issaquah Highlands, North Issaquah, Issaquah Transit Center, Newport Way, Factoria and the 2 Line at South Bellevue Station.
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Route 222: Connecting Overlake, Idylwood, downtown Redmond, Education Hill and Cottage Lake, and the 2 Line at Downtown Redmond and Redmond Technology Stations.
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Route 223: Connecting Eastgate, Lake Hills, Overlake and 2 Line service at Downtown Redmond Station, with more frequent 20-minute weekday service.
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Route 256: Direct peak-only service connecting Woodinville, Brickyard Park & Ride, Totem Lake, Kingsgate Park & Ride, Yarrow Point Freeway Station, Evergreen Point Freeway Station, South Lake Union and downtown Seattle.
More frequent buses on weekdays
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DART Route 224 between Duvall and Redmond will improve to service every 60 minutes.
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Route 226 in Bellevue will provide peak service every 20 minutes connecting Downtown Bellevue, Lake Hills, Bellevue College, Eastgate and the 2 Line at South Bellevue Station.
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Route 240 will improve to service every 20 minutes during peak and midday times on a revised pathway connecting Downtown Bellevue to the South Bellevue Station, Factoria, Newcastle and Renton.
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DART Route 249 will improve to service every 30 minutes on weekdays with hourly service added from 7 to 9 p.m. connecting Redmond Technology Station, Overlake, downtown Bellevue, and South Bellevue Station.
More frequent Route 106 service in Seattle
The voter-approved Seattle Transit Measure (STM) is funding 30 new bus trips per week in early mornings and mid-day on Route 106, which connects Chinatown-International District in Seattle to Mount Baker, Rainier Beach, Skyway and Renton. These 30 new trips mean that Route 106 buses will now arrive every 15 minutes from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Enhanced Eastside service that launched in June will continue
Reservations can be made via phone (1-866-261-3278), TTY (1-800-246-1646) or online form.
New Metro Flex coming to Overlake in Bellevue September 15
Metro Flex’s upcoming service area in Bellevue will allow riders to connect to and from 2 Line service at Overlake Village Station. Metro will pilot electric vehicles in Bellevue. Details and the service area map will be available soon on the Metro Flex webpage.
Fare changes coming September 1
As Metro has previously shared, fares are increasing to $3 for its buses, Metro Flex, and Seattle Streetcar starting September 1, 2025. King County Water Taxi adult fares using an ORCA card will increase by 25 cents, and ORCA LIFT discounted fares on water taxis will be reduced to $1. Riders are encouraged to update their ORCA card autoloads and monthly PugetPass. Reduced fare options are available for riders with lower incomes, and for seniors and riders with disabilities.
Relevant links
Metro’s customer information office can answer questions from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at 206-553-3000. Also, Metro’s Trip Planner will be updated before August 30, so riders can plan future travel.
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