Preliminary ridership data from the past three weeks show that transit riders are increasingly following the direction of public health officials to limit travel and to telework if possible.

King County Metro analyzed preliminary extrapolations to create an unofficial estimate of ridership. Bus ridership on Friday, March 20 was down an estimated 62%. This represents 238,000 fewer daily rides, from about 385,000 at this time in 2019 to 147,000 on Friday, March 20. On average, March 16-20 saw an average weekday bus ridership of 160,000 compared to 403,000 in 2019, or a 60% drop in ridership.

Similarly, the dip was estimated to be about 66% fewer riders on Metro’s Access paratransit service as demand decreased and some destination facilities closed. Water taxi routes also are seeing significantly reduced ridership, approximately 90% since the beginning of the month.

As of March 23, we are operating a reduced schedule of transit service. Metro canceled several routes while maintaining service on most routes to serve customers who rely on transit during our health crisis. The “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order from Gov. Inslee announced March 23 gives further guidance to the public to avoid traveling except under specific circumstances.

Metro recently took further steps to support the health of the community and Metro employees by eliminating fare collections, requiring riders to board and exit at the back door, and reserving the front door for riders who need assistance boarding and exiting.

Our commitment is to the safety of our community and we appreciate your support as you follow the guidance to “Stay Home, Stay Healthy.”

Ridership line graph showing reduction in riders March 2-20. of roughly 60% compared to 2019.

King County Metro bus ridership

*Unofficial ridership estimates are preliminary and based on samples and extrapolations

Date Baseline (2019) Current (2020) Change
3/2/2020 416,885 389,103 -7%
3/3/2020 430,822 396,544 -8%
3/4/2020 425,431 381,634 -10%
3/5/2020 411,763 344,562 -16%
3/6/2020 399,641 301,111 -25%
3/9/2020 408,494 283,259 -31%
3/10/2020 417,616 275,642 -34%
3/11/2020 424,583 269,362 -37%
3/12/2020 415,904 230,570 -45%
3/13/2020 397,707 207,253 -48%
3/16/2020 404,158 181,732 -55%
3/17/2020 410,204 163,519 -60%
3/18/2020 413,908 159,033 -62%
3/19/2020 403,555 149,350 -63%
3/20/2020 384,736 146,983 -62%

 

Key affected King County Metro routes –
Average weekday ridership

*Unofficial ridership estimates are preliminary and based on samples and extrapolations
Week Route Baseline (2019) Current (2020) Change
March 16-20 7 11,029 6,818 -38%
March 16-20 36 9,398 4,519 -48%
March 16-20 40 12,693 4,378 -66%
March 16-20 44 8,384 3,123 -63%
March 16-20 70 8,681 2,804 -68%
March 16-20 120 8,621 4,558 -47%
March 16-20 RapidRide A Line 9,448 6,695 -29%
March 16-20 RapidRide C Line 11,821 3,989 -66%
March 16-20 RapidRide D Line 14,047 6,125 -56%
March 16-20 RapidRide E Line 17,111 9,513 -44%

 

King County Metro Water Taxi ridership (2020)
Feb. 24        1,910
Feb. 25        1,982
Feb. 26        1,962
Feb. 27        2,043
Feb. 28        1,540
March 2        1,778
March 3        1,892
March 4        1,739
March 5        1,383
March 6           838
March 9           958
March 10           936
March 11           845
March 12           686
March 13           452
March 16           370
March 17           274
March 18           271
March 19           262
March 20           208
March 23           173