(Editor’s note: Sound Transit and Streetcar also are discontinuing fare collections at this time. Reduced Schedules begin March 23.)
To promote social distancing and support the health of transit employees and the riding public, King County Metro on March 21, 2020, will discontinue fare collections until further notice and direct riders to board and exit at the rear doors of buses only, if they are able.
Effective with the start of service Saturday, March 21, riders will not be required to pay fare when riding King County Metro services, including buses, water taxi and Access paratransit, until further notice.
Riders also will be directed to board and exit at the rear doors of buses, reserving front-door access for customers using mobility devices or who require use of the boarding ramp.
“As this crisis evolves, we are constantly reviewing all of our practices and policies to provide the best service while keeping people safe,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Changing how riders board and exit our bus fleet and also suspending all fares is part of that effort. It is essential to keep this community on the move, and I thank all the operators, mechanics, support staff, and riders who are helping us get through this, together.”
These moves acknowledge the direction of public health to take steps necessary to limit the spread of COVID-19 and we continue to call on riders to do all they can by avoiding traveling when sick, covering coughs and sneezes.
Metro is relaying these planned changes to our partners at Sound Transit and the City of Seattle. Sound Transit also announced it is stopping collection of fares on all modes and directing riders to board at the back doors. Streetcar also is discontinuing the collection of fare.
Metro is communicating this upcoming change with transit operators today and working to develop and install signage directing customers to board and exit at the rear doors unless they need the boarding ramp, and that fare payment is not required starting March 21.
Thank you for eliminating fares during this time…riding the bus is stressful when trying to social distance, so it takes a bit of stress out of the ride.
Understood that headways will be longer. But it would be nice to tell us first and last service times so we can know if a route is even running. For example maybe 2 north might be 7am to 7pm, or it might be 6am to 11pm, etc. Need to known in advance if a trip can be planned in advance albeit rough.
Hi Don, information on trip reductions can be found here: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/schedules-maps/reduced-schedule/canceled-trips.aspx
Will riders that had purchased a monthly pass receive a refund? Will the expiration date be extended?
Dear King County Metro,
I work at a hospital and take the 3 or 4 bus to get to work. It is notoriously a busy bus, standing room only. Now that you have decided to reduce service this bus is busy as usually, which is not good for social distancing.
I do realize there are buses with almost no one on them, one my co-worker road a bus from Bellevue and he was the only person on the bus. Bus lines like that I understand a reduction in service. Why not have your drives give you an estimate of ridership to decide which buses should be reduced.
Free fares may be encouraging people to go out and about instead of staying home.
Please help keep hospital employees safe so we can help others in need.
How do I find the schedule for #8 bus,you say the bus will reduce services,but don’t tell what times the reduced services are.I need to know what time to catch the bus.
We’re working on providing additional details for all routes, but even with the reduced schedule – Route 8 will still be running every 15-20 minutes. The trips that have been removed from the schedule are in the AM and PM peak travel times.
Details on trip reductions can be found here: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/schedules-maps/reduced-schedule/canceled-trips.aspx
Information on trip reductions can be found here: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/schedules-maps/reduced-schedule/canceled-trips.aspx
they need to keep with the regular schedule
Just received a text message from Metro that I clicked on that took me to the “service revision” page. Too bad the service revisions are from November for my route (17X). How will I know about my bus on Monday with this totally outdated info? Metro, please don’t send out texts until you post updated information about the revisions because of the coronavirus! It doesn’t help your riders to figure out how to plan. Your not helping us by doing this!
Information on trip reductions can be found here: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/schedules-maps/reduced-schedule/canceled-trips.aspx
exactly what is the schedule for Monday. How are people supposed to plan for work. Are we just supposed to wait for a bus to show up.
Information on trip reductions can be found here: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/schedules-maps/reduced-schedule/canceled-trips.aspx
I need to know what time are the buses going to start running on Monday? How late will the busses run?
Information on trip reductions can be found here: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/schedules-maps/reduced-schedule/canceled-trips.aspx
I need to know if the bus 159 is running monday?
Will the 158 that leaves Kent Station at 5:10am be running
Hi, Patricia – the 5:10am trip from Kent Station on Route 158 will not be running during the reductions. You can catch the following trip at 5:20am.
Hi Patricia,
Information on trip reductions by route can be found here: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/schedules-maps/reduced-schedule/canceled-trips.aspx
Hi, Marsha – Route 159 is running on a reduced schedule. In the morning, the trips starting at 5:20am and 6:25am from Covington won’t be running. From downtown Seattle in the afternoons, the 3:45pm and 5:06pm trips won’t be running during the reduced schedule.
Are you communicating this with Kitsap Transit and the Washington State Ferry system?
If the buses are free, will they become a floating shelter for persons who just want to ride around all day?
That’s exactly what I heard from a driver from #5 bus. He pointed out a guy doing exactly
Lovely. So what about folks who get monthly passes through the ORCA card program? Am I just out the remaining value on my pass for March? And what about going into April? Should i just disable the auto-pay for next month’s pass?
What if like the 917 don’t have back door to get on the bus
“- direct riders to board and exit at the rear doors of buses only, if they are able.”
This is quoted from the article above. Only if you’re able do you exit and enter from the buses rear door. Hope that clarifies for you .