UPDATE (DEC. 29, 2021): King County Metro is currently operating on our Emergency Snow Network, which is a limited service network of 60 routes with adjustments to bus stops, departure times, and service hours. Before you go, please check MetroWinter.com to plan your outgoing and return trips. Dress warmly and allow for extra time.
Cross-posted news release by King County Executive Dow Constantine:
Heading to your favorite viewing location to see the fireworks? Ringing in the New Year listening to music at the Renton Civic Center or enjoying dinner at your favorite restaurant? Planning a mid-day Transit Adventure on a rare Friday day off? Transit agencies across the region are helping riders travel fare-free on New Year’s Eve.
Riders can travel without paying fare on King County Metro, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Pierce Transit and Seattle Streetcar as part of their New Year’s Eve celebrations.
“Whether you’re ringing in the New Year from home with friends and family, or planning a night on the town, we are teaming up across the region to offer free transportation and get everyone home safely this New Year’s Eve,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “This is our way of thanking our riders, and offering those who celebrate late into the New Year a safe alternative to getting behind the wheel.”
Masks are required on transit vehicles and while waiting for transit service.
- King County Metro: Buses will operate on a Sunday schedule and be fare-free from 4 a.m. Friday, Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve), through 4 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day).
- Other Metro services operating fare-free include DART, Via to Transit, Ride Pingo to Transit, Community Van and Access service. Via to Transit will operate until 2 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 1, to accommodate New Year’s Eve celebrations.
- The fareboxes and ORCA card readers on Metro buses will be covered to remind customers not to pay.
- Sound Transit: Link light rail and Sound Transit Express buses are fare-free from 4 a.m. Friday, Dec. 31, to 2 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 1. Sound Transit will operate extended Link light rail service on New Year’s Eve, with 15-minute late night service. The last southbound trip will leave Northgate Station at 1:46 a.m. The last northbound train will leave Angle Lake at 1:37 a.m. Sound Transit will also extend service on select ST Express bus routes. For more information go to the Sound Transit website.
- Community Transit: Buses will operate on holiday schedules. For New Year’s Eve, buses and DART service will operate a Sunday bus schedule and will be fare-free from 4 a.m. Friday, Dec. 31, to 4 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 1.
- Pierce Transit: Buses and paratransit SHUTTLE services will run on a Sunday level of service and are fare-free all- day Friday, Dec. 31, from the start of service (first route begins at 6:30 a.m.) to the conclusion of service (last route ends at 9:50 p.m.) On-demand Ruston and Tideflats Runner services are also fare-free Dec. 31, running from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. JBLM Runner will not operate Dec. 31 due to the Sunday service level.
- Seattle Streetcar: Both streetcars will operate fare-free New Year’s Eve and operate regular service hours.
- King County Water Taxi will not operate on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
- Seattle Monorail will collect regular fare and is scheduled to operate from Westlake to the Seattle Center until 10:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Service from the Center to Westlake will run from 12:20 a.m. to 1 a.m. after the events at the Center.
New Year’s Day service
On Saturday, Jan. 1, transit customers are reminded that buses and rail service will operate on regular Saturday schedules, and regular valid fare will be required on all services. Details are posted on Metro’s holiday and reduced service page.
New Year’s Day, Sound Transit will operate ST Express and Link light rail on a Saturday schedule. Tacoma Link will operate on a Sunday schedule.
Reminder: Upcoming holiday service schedules for Dec. 24 and Dec. 25
- King County Metro will operate on a Sunday schedule on Friday, Dec. 24, and on a Saturday schedule on Saturday, Dec. 25. King County Water Taxi will not operate Dec. 24 or Dec. 25.
- Both Seattle Streetcar lines will run normal weekday service on Friday, Dec. 24. On Saturday, Dec. 25, the South Lake Union Streetcar will not operate; the First Hill Streetcar will operate on a Sunday schedule.
- Sound Transit bus and Link light rail will operate on a Sunday schedule on Friday, Dec. 24, with no Sounder trains. On Saturday, Dec. 25, Link Light Rail will run its Saturday schedule and Tacoma Link will operate on its Sunday schedule.
- Community Transit will operate a Sunday schedule on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 and a Saturday schedule on Christmas day, Dec. 25.
Customer service, trip planning support and tools
- Most King County offices, including Metro’s Lost and Found, will be closed on Friday, Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) and Friday, Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve.)
- Metro’s Call Center: Trip planning specialists are available by phone Monday, Dec. 27, through Thursday, Dec. 30, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 206-553-3000. Staff will be available on New Year’s Eve to provide trip planning and ORCA card assistance from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- To plan a trip or check the status of your bus, use Metro’s Trip Planner or the Puget Sound Trip Planner app. Regular fares will still be displayed on trip itineraries. The “Next Departures” section will show you the real-time status of buses operating at your location. You also can text your stop number to 62550 for on-the-go updates. Temporary service disruptions are not reflected in Trip Planner results; check the online Service Advisories table for updates.
Relevant links
- King County Metro holiday service and Trip Planner
- Sound Transit holiday service
- Pierce Transit holiday service
- Community Transit holiday service
- Seattle Streetcar First Hill Line and South Lake Union Line