Puget Sound region transit starting to restore service, resume fare collection

Buses and public transit services in the Seattle and Puget Sound areas are slowly starting to restore service on previously reduced schedules and routes as the state begins to reopen and move forward in the Safe Start plan. A few services are resuming fare collection as well, while others are staying free until further notice.

King County Metro

Service has been restored to 23 King County Metro bus routes canceled in March and April, and trips have been added to other routes on Monday, June 22. Metro is also increasing water taxi service and starting a partial restoration of Via Transit.

A few routes will remain suspended due to low ridership and financial constraints, according to the Metro Matters blog.

Revised schedules will be posted on Metro’s Reduced Schedule page here, and Canceled Trips shows which trips are still not running. Metro plans to increase trips as demand rises in the summer and fall. In September, Metro plans to add more routes, targeting a service level at 85% of pre-COVID levels.

For now, riders should continue to follow social distancing guidelines. Capacity limits remain in place to help reduce the number of customers each bus can carry, and some seats have been blocked with a sign to further encourage distance. Riders are still required to wear masks on board. Fares are not yet being collected, so riders can continue to board at the middle or back doors, unless they need ADA access.

Sound Transit

Fares will resume on Sound Transit Express starting July 1, 2020, dependent on the completion of safety measures installed at the front of buses. Link light rail and Sounder trains saw resumed fares on June 1.

Sound Transit to reintroduce fares July 1 with Recovery Fare option

Sound Transit is transitioning to a single flat fare of $3.25 for all adult riders, regardless of distance traveled. Flat fares for ORCA Lift, youth, seniors, and riders with disabilities were implemented in July 2018.

Riders are asked to wear face coverings at all times, follow social distancing guidelines, and limit travel to only essential trips.

Many routes are on reduced schedules, while some remain canceled. Visit this page or sign up for rider alerts for up-to-date information.

Community Transit

All bus routes on Community Transit and DART para-transit service will start collecting fares again July 1. Fare collection was previously restored on Swift bus rapid service on June 1 since riders pay at stations and not on the bus.

All drivers will wear face coverings with the option to wear a face shield as well. Non-ADA passengers are asked to exit the bus through the rear doors to prevent two-way traffic at the front doors.

Community Transit has closed some seats to allow for distancing on board, all buses and vehicles are disinfected nightly, riders are encouraged to wear face coverings, and are asked to wash their hands often and not to travel when sick.

ORCA Lift cards offering a reduced fare are available for income-eligible residents. ORCA cards are a touchless payment method accepted on Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro Transit, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit and Washington State Ferries.