Resources for Public Transportation Services

University of Washington Survey and Study Announcements

 Experience with Mobility Survey from University of Washington: Researchers from the University of Washington are designing an automated customized pedestrian routing app and visualized accessibility information on maps. We hope to help people find paths that are right for them in urban settings. We are also hoping to improve our understanding of mobility on the ground for different kinds of pedestrians. We place a specific focus on people with disabilities. We are looking for volunteers who would like to keep track of their trips using our app and to provide feedback to help us improve the design of the app and the way we customize routes to a user.

University of Washington pilot study on Navigation Application for Blind & Low Vision Individuals: Researchers at the Taskar Center in the Allan School at the University of Washington are conducting a pilot study on AccessMap, an outdoor way finding application with select blind and low vision participants. Duration: the study is expected to take about 1.5 - 2 hours. For their time, participants will be compensated $30 for every hour spent with us including the time taken to travel to the UW campus via a gift card

Sound Transit seeking passengers with disabilities to test GoodMaps

Sound Transit is seeking passengers with disabilities who have smartphones to participate in testing GoodMaps, an indoor navigation and wayfinding app. As you may know, we recently piloted GoodMaps at International District/Chinatown and Westlake stations and the app can be used to navigate those two stations.

Testers can try the app in one of five additional stations and provide feedback via a short survey, and will have the option sign-up for a 60-75 minute moderated testing session at SeaTac/Airport Station to receive a $150 gift card for participation (sessions available on a first-come first-serve basis).

The GoodMaps app is available for free to all passengers and turns your smartphone into a personal guide to help you find your way around the station with ease and independence. GoodMaps provides precise, turn-by-turn directions to elevators, train platforms, key points-of-interest, and more. Passengers with vision disabilities can use the app instead of (or in addition to) sighted assistance, and passengers seeking stair-free paths can benefit from the app’s guidance to stair-free and ADA-accessible routes.

Testing will begin the week of November 18th, and will be available at Capitol Hill, Columbia City, Northgate, University of Washington, and SeaTac/Airport stations.

Please sign up for testing by completing this intake form. For more information about participating in the testing, please email Katie Navidi at katie.navidi@soundtransit.org

City of Issaquah: Metro Flex is here!

King County Metro’s On-Demand Service, Metro Flex, is now live in Issaquah! No matter your destination in the local service area, arrive within a block of where you need to go for just the price of a bus fare. Metro Flex is a part of the ORCA Card system, rides include free transfers to bus, and youth ride free! When you book your ride with the Metro Flex app, you’ll receive the most complete trip information. This includes live vehicle tracking and a list of other transit options.

City of Sammamish: Metro Flex

Metro Flex is a new, on-demand neighborhood transit service. Ride anywhere in your service area, all for the same cost as a bus trip. As one new service, Metro Flex replaces three others: Community Ride, Ride Pingo to Transit and Via to Transit. Starting March 6, riders can use the new Metro Flex app to book rides to and from anywhere in one of the service areas, which include Juanita, Kent, Othello, Rainier Beach, Renton Highlands, Sammamish, Skyway, and Tukwila.

City of Sammamish Community Van

Take a trip with Community Van! Schedule one-time or recurring trips up to two hours away and the cost is a Metro fare. Trips are available throughout the day, evening, and on weekends to provide you with customized options for getting around when bus service doesn't meet your needs. Like getting outside but don’t have a car? Want to get to nature but leave your car at home? Community Van is here to help you and your group get outdoors. Trips must be scheduled in advance. Text Community Van to Schedule a Ride! Text Community Van next time you need to schedule a ride. Now available to REQUEST RIDES on your phone! Text us at 833-202-3779 to submit a trip request, learn more about our program, or volunteer to drive.  For questions, email TNgo@Hopelink.org

How do I become an approved driver? Support your neighbors, and your community and help the environment by becoming a Community Van volunteer driver. You can choose which trips you drive and how many times you drive a week. Complete the King County Metro Driver Application form.

Ride United – King County Lyft Ride Program Re-Launched  

The King County 211 transportation program providing free Lyft rides to eligible clients in King County has re-launched! For clients needing transportation, you can refer or transfer to King County 211. Call King County 211 Monday - Friday 9am-4pm for transportation screening and dispatch. Other resources are searchable at search.wa211.org. Some general eligibility to keep in mind:

  • This program is designed as a gap-filler for immediate and short-term transportation needs. This is not a long-term transportation solution.

  • Primary rider must be 18+, though family or a caregiver can accompany the rider.

  • Transportation need must be within the next 3 days.

  • Clients are eligible for up to 4 free Lyft rides from October 16th through June 30, 2025, or until funding lasts. 

  • Lyft rides must be at or under a $22 fare as determined by our dispatchers. Rides over the $22 estimate are not eligible (we do not provide a $22 coupon for a ride over fare).

  • Eligible reasons for a ride include: - Non-emergency medical appointments - Pre-employment and employment needs - Housing/shelter access - Food access & essential services - Education & technology procurement - Legal & more!

King County Metro Launches Anti-Harassment Campaign 

King County Metro launched a new, multilingual initiative to keep transit safe for all. The “It’s OK to Say ‘That’s Not OK’” campaign sets clear expectations for respectful behavior. Signs alert riders to get help in emergencies, while encouraging reporting. Available in King County; campaign will appear across Metro in English, Chinese, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.Click HERE to learn more about "Metro unveils new anti-harassment campaign."

It’s a ‘Great Day to Ride Metro’ Rewards Program and receive Free All-day Pass

King County Metro announces Transit GO Rewards program. The campaign lets people know “It’s a great day to ride Metro”, encouraging others to take public transportation. Participate by downloading and signing-up on “Transit GO Ticket” app to receive 800 reward points, redeemable for one free King County Metro adult day pass. Taking future trips on transit allows riders to earn more rewards – via transit, e-bikes, or e-scooters.

Free Youth Transit Fare Starts Sept 1, 2022 Learn more HERE

Starting Sept. 1, 2022 riders 18 and younger can take transit for free due to Move Ahead Washington, a statewide transportation funding package! Riders age 13 and older are encouraged to show one of the following to the driver, if they have it: ORCA Youth Card Please “tap” your card when you board. On Sound Transit light rail, please also “tap” when you exit. It will not be necessary to load E-purse or Monthly passes on ORCA Youth Cards for September and beyond. Encourage students/youth to register their card at myORCA.com so they can manage their card (e.g., apply for a replacement if/when needed). You may choose to remove any ORCA Youth cards from your account if needed. Youth ORCA cards issued by schools during the 2021-22 academic year will continue to work through June 30, 2023. Current High School or Middle School Student IDYouth who do not have one of these can still ride for free. In 2023 and beyond, youth will be directed to get a Free Youth Transit Pass that allows them to tap a card—or eventually their smartphone—to access transit across the region for free.

Hopelink Transportation 

includes three programs: DART Transit, Medicaid Transportation and Mobility Management.

FindARide Finding Your Best Transportation Options

Metro’s on-demand service, Via to Transit, has expanded to Rainier Beach, Skyway, Tukwila, & Renton.

Via to Transit is public transportation that comes to you.  To learn more, download the app and book a ride now visit: kingcounty.gov/metro/via or call Via at 206-258-7739.

ORCA Cards Flyer New ORCA System

Unregistered Youth ORCA cards expired February 1, 2024 As a reminder, youth 18 and younger ride transit for free. For riders 13 and older, using a Youth ORCA card (also known as a Free Youth Transit Pass) is highly encouraged, but not required. Tapping a Youth ORCA card allows transit agencies to better understand how many young people are riding transit, including where and when.  Unregistered Youth ORCA cards will expire and be blocked on February 1. Youth 18 and younger can easily register their card and request reactivation by visiting FreeYouthTransitPass.com or by calling 206-553-3000. Don’t have a card yet? Youth aged 13 and older are encouraged to order a free Youth ORCA card by visiting www.myorca.com/buy-online/ (the card will automatically be registered when ordered). For more information please visit FreeYouthTransitPass.com.

Starting May 16, 2022, hundreds of thousands of ORCA transit customers across the Puget Sound region will have access to a new website, smartphone app, and real-time value loading for their ORCA cards. Customers will also begin to see new card readers and vending machines as technology is updated and rolled out at transit locations throughout the region. This will mark the start of ongoing improvements to the ORCA system over the next several years. Current ORCA users do not need to get a new card at this time but are encouraged to register their cards on the new website, www.myORCA.com, beginning May 16th to add value to their existing cards. Customers can still add cash to their cards at vending machines, customer service locations, and participating retailers.  

Flyers regarding this transition in English, Korean, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese

Subsidized annual pass:

Freedom and possibilities through transit SUBSIDY SUMMARY Transit allows communities and individuals to access the opportunities needed to thrive. That’s why King County Metro and Sound Transit have partnered to create a new, subsidized annual pass program, allowing qualifying riders to travel on our select transit modes without paying a fare.

King County Metro Alerts Sign Up

All public transportation passengers must continue to wear masks while on board transit vehicles and at indoor transit facilities in compliance with the federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) mandate. Passengers also must continue to maintain a six-foot distance from bus drivers, except when paying fare. 

King County Metro’s Rider Dashboard 

Metro’s new Rider Dashboard, also known as “The Dash”, provides customers, communities, and partners with up-to-date answers to frequently asked questions about transit and is available in 10 languages and is screen reader accessible. The Dash is available in:

King County Metro Vanpool 

Vanpools can be started anywhere within King County and require a minimum of 3 and up to 15 people with a similar commute route and travel time to work together. Fares are determined by the route the group determines and how many days a week they commute. There is a fare chart that determines the monthly cost. Many employers in the region cover full or partial fares which makes it feasible for people to join the program. Added bonus-drivers can be approved for Vanpool and Community Van at the same time! (no discounts for being a driver in both unfortunately). For more information on how to get started, visit Vanpool Program - Rideshare - King County Metro Transit - King County or call 206-625-4500.

Aug 2024: Metro Vanpool Fare Pilot King County Metro recently launched a vanpool fare pilot for commuters who live or work in King County and we think this offer will benenfit entry-level and shift workers who do not have a full vanpool employer subsidy. FLYER HERE Here are some pilot highlights:

  • Metro is offering commuters who live or work in King County and make $25 or less per hour the opportunity to start or join a Metro Vanpool for a flat $49 individual monthly fare.

  • Participants’ monthly fare covers it all! It includes the van, fuel, tolls, maintenance, insurance, 24-hour roadside assistance and a benefit that reimburses cab fare if the user needs to go home sick, pick up a sick child or get home in an emergency.

  • Commuters may start a vanpool as part of this pilot with just 3 people who live near each other and have a similar work destination and schedule.  

NADTC: Access Matters Video Series

NADTC is pleased to present Access Matters, created to train drivers to be more sensitive to the needs of people who are blind, deaf and have other disabilities who rely on public transportation. The series of five videos covers important topics such as communication, service animals, what access means and tips for serving people with a variety of disabilities. Educating drivers about the needs of people with disabilities will allow them to provide the most helpful customer service to all riders of public transportation so that people can remain independent in their communities. NADTC encourages these videos to be widely used across all sectors of transportation service.

The Regional Alliance for Resilient and Equitable Transportation (RARET) workgroup

is continuing to compile weekly newsletters with updated information about transportation providers’ level of operations, the community’s needs, how transportation providers may be able to assist, and other resources such as funding opportunities and food sources. The most recent RARET COVID-19 Impact Summary newsletter can be found at this link

Resource Guide: Federal Transportation Programs Serving Older Adults, People with Disabilities

Funding to develop and expand community transportation options meeting the needs of older adults and people with disabilities critically remains ongoing. The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) recently created a Resource Guide focusing on resources, including grant opportunities, available programs, and updated information.

Transportation Resource Guide for Seniors & Individuals with Disabilities

Programs and Services By State for various types of transportation options.