SUMMARY 

Today, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay joined King County Metro to launch safer, zero-emission battery-electric buses, with initial deployment focused on south King County communities disproportionately affected by air pollution. 

STORY 

Today, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay joined King County Metro to launch a new fleet of battery-electric buses that enhance transit operator safety, reduce harmful emissions, and prioritize deployment in south King County communities disproportionately affected by air pollution. 

Rolling out in electric yellow and seafoam blue, the first battery-electric buses purchased from GILLIG will begin serving riders in south King County starting Monday, Feb. 2. Initial service will operate periodically on routes 105, 128, 161, 165, 184, and RapidRide F Line as Metro evaluates performance and ramps up deployment.  

Metro is prioritizing south King County routes for the initial deployment, where many communities experience higher-than-average levels of traffic-related air pollution. Deploying zero-emission buses in these neighborhoods supports healthier air quality while expanding access to cleaner transit options. Additionally, the new operator safety partitions are the first to enter service following commitments made after the death of Metro operator Shawn Yim. 

“Public transit is one of the most powerful ways we connect people to opportunity. Every day, our operators show up to help people get to work, get to school, and get where they need to go,” said King County Executive Girmay Zahilay. “For decades, King County Metro has been a leader in clean transit. And while cleaner technology and cleaner air matter, progress is only possible if the people behind the wheel are safe and supported. As our operators show up for our communities, it’s our responsibility to show up for them by prioritizing safety improvements. We continue to honor the memory of Shawn Yim by taking operator safety seriously and ensuring our commitments show up in real, tangible ways. With this new fleet, we are doing exactly that.”

The new buses are the first in Metro’s fleet to enter service with new operator safety partitions installed. The partitions include a reinforced lower metal panel extending to the operator’s platform, along with a two-part sliding glass system. A larger, extendable glass panel provides increased coverage and visibility, while an additional polycarbonate panel extends to the ceiling for added protection. 

The partition will remain closed at all times except when transit operators are assisting customers with mobility devices and meets industry safety standards for vehicle windows and operator compartments. 

“Safety is our top priority, and these new buses are designed with enhanced steel and glass operator safety partitions to better protect our drivers while they serve the public every day,” Metro General Manager Michelle Allison said. “Our investment in these buses also reflects our values: protecting the people who operate our system and transitioning to clean transportation. Enhanced safety partitions improve operator security, while zero-emission technology helps build healthier communities now and for future generations.” 

Equipped with larger batteries than Metro’s current battery-electric fleet, the new 40-foot buses will travel an estimated 240–280 miles on a single charge, according to the manufacturer, and carry up to 69 people, including the transit operator. Metro will monitor performance as the buses enter service and ramp up operations.  

The new vehicles will join Metro’s existing fleet of 40 battery-electric buses. Charging will begin at Tukwila Base this spring, with service expanding as additional buses are delivered. Once complete, the base will support up to 120 battery-electric buses, serving tens of thousands of riders across south King County. 

The GILLIG buses also debut Metro’s new exterior design, known as “The New Energy,” a bright, modern look that reflects the agency’s transition to a zero-emission fleet and a more sustainable future for public transportation. 

 “I’m proud to help launch Metro’s newest electric bus fleet, which strengthens safety for our operators while improving air quality in the communities we serve,” said King County Councilmember Steffanie Fain, who serves as Chair of the Council’s Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee. “Investing in reliable, clean transit improves quality of life across King County, and I look forward to continuing our work with Executive Zahilay and the King County Metro team to deliver a system that is safer, more resilient, and more sustainable.”