UPDATE: Route 162 is operating the majority of its trips starting Monday, Feb. 7. See our transit alert for the 12 trip times that are operating.
King County Metro continues to recover from recent winter storms and ongoing reduced workforce availability. While more than 90% of Metro’s scheduled bus service is on the road, we are extending our temporary reduced service schedule and canceling some bus trips.
Before traveling, please allow for additional travel time and use Metro’s real-time travel tools to confirm whether your trip is operating or canceled. (See “Trip planning tools” below.)
Earlier this month, Metro first announced a temporary service reduction due to recovery and workforce availability challenges. While some individual trips will continue to be canceled, nearly all of Metro’s 160 bus routes will operate on weekdays and weekends. The exceptions during this recovery period are that routes 162, 177, 304, 320, and 330 will not operate on weekdays, and route 125 will not operate on Saturdays.
Metro is closely monitoring the situation and will reassess whether it is able to restore canceled bus trips in the coming weeks. Whether you are taking an earlier or later bus than usual, or are making an alternative travel plan, we apologize for the inconvenience and greatly appreciate your patience as our workforce stabilizes.
To address ongoing workforce challenges, Metro continues to hire, train and promote bus operators. In the past three months, 37 new part-time operators graduated from training. An additional class of 25 full-time drivers will graduate on Jan. 22, and new part-time drivers are scheduled to graduate Feb. 11.
More part-time driver classes are scheduled to begin training on Jan. 24 and Feb. 7, and every other week thereafter. Learn more about becoming a bus operator on our “Drive for Metro” webpage.
Trip planning tools
Planning in advance
- Visit “Service Advisories” for information about your route.
- Sign up for “Transit Alerts” for route-specific and system-wide updates by email or text.
Real-time updates that show whether a bus trip is operating, when it’s due to depart, or if it’s been canceled
- Use Text for Departures. Text your bus stop number to 62550 and receive the next bus trips headed their way or a cancellation notice. (Tip: Save 62550 in your phone in advance.)
- Go to “Next departures” on the Puget Sound Trip Planner webpage or the Puget Sound Trip Planner App. Check to see whether your trip is reporting its position and its estimated arrival time.
- Follow @kcmetrobus on Twitter to see the latest service information.
- Metro’s customer service call center at 206-553-3000 is open weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. for assistance with trip planning and general information, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for ORCA support and customer comments.
Why is metro allowing homeless drug addicts to stay on busses non stop? Busses are not safe anymore in king county! Going back to uber!
I agree with the comment above. Homelessnes is a problem and it is spread to the bus system. Buses are no longer a safe mode of transportation. Some routes like the A Line are way out of control. Budget is not the issue – we are one of the richest counties in all U.S. Pandemic is not an excuse – it is here to stay and we have to live with it. How about bringing back Fare Enforcement? It will bring revenue, deter trouble and make buses more attractive. And new leadership at Metro of course