Building on the success of Metro Flex services offered in seven other areas of King County, Metro is partnering with the City of Issaquah to expand service across the city’s many neighborhoods and 42,000 residents. By using this right-sized Service, riders will be able to use the Metro Flex app to book rides on minivans and travel to local places and fast, frequent bus service to the rest of the region.
Service will be available in the service area across Issaquah and Sammamish. Go shopping, meet friends for lunch or head to appointments – whatever your destination within the service area, Metro Flex will take you there.
Metro Flex also opens the door to easier travel for neighborhoods to access the Issaquah Transit Center and connect riders to the region’s public transportation network. This creative solution will help car-free lifestyles for the residents of the communities served by Metro Flex, including neighborhoods where regular transit service isn’t currently available.
We have experienced great success with Metro Flex’s first and last-mile solutions in areas across King County. We’re eager to see how residents in Issaquah use this new service to support their transit needs. Giving people convenient alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles is a great way to reduce gridlock and combat climate change.
Metro Flex delivers flexible, reliable transportation for $2.75 a trip – the same fare as a ride on a Metro bus. As with other Metro services, reduced fares are available for customers with disabilities, customers with lower incomes, and seniors.
“Metro Flex is already a success with riders across the region, and now we are taking it to the next level with this expansion to thousands of future riders in the City of Issaquah,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “On-demand transit has the power to transform and improve a city’s transportation network and give residents first-mile/last-mile connections to transit hubs, services, shopping, and opportunities. We look forward to rolling out this exciting service.”
Metro is sharing costs with Issaquah on the expansion of the program. We’re excited to join together in offering this transit option to the community.
“The City of Issaquah has been working for at least 10 years to bring an on-demand transit option to several neighborhoods historically not served by transit,” said John Larson-Friend, Transportation Program Coordinator for the City of Issaquah. “Metro Flex will provide our neighborhoods much needed access to local services, bus routes, and transit centers, helping to fulfill multiple aspects of the city’s comprehensive plan and mobility master plan. The added service will fill intracity mobility gaps, which will benefit all residents of Issaquah. The city is excited to partner with King County Metro to bring this service to our community!”
Metro Flex has evolved over the years to support the changing mobility needs of riders. Service currently operates in Juanita, Kent, Sammamish, Othello, Rainier Beach/Skyway, the Renton Highlands and Tukwila.
“We are so excited to partner with the City of Issaquah to expand the Metro Flex program and help meet the unique mobility needs of Issaquah, District 3, and the broader community,” said King County Councilmember Sarah Perry, whose district includes Issaquah. “It is so great to have on-demand access through the touch of an app that move us towards transit solutions for all.”
Download the Metro Flex app and take a ride
After downloading the Metro Flex app from the app store on your smart phone, riders choose their desired destination. They’ll receive a nearby pick-up location to meet their driver and may share the ride with other passengers. Riders with mobility needs—such as using a wheelchair—can save this information within their Metro Flex profile.
“We’re excited to partner with the City of Issaquah and deliver expanded Metro Flex service to new communities,” said Metro General Manager Michelle Allison. “Smart on-demand solutions bring convenient options to better connect the communities across Issaquah and support a car-lite lifestyle. We can’t wait for residents to give it a try.”
All existing King County Metro reduced fare programs, including ORCA LIFT, are accepted, and all youth 18 and younger ride free. Using an ORCA card allows all passengers to transfer for free to bus and rail. Riders may also pay with credit or debit card, but not with cash. (Drivers can’t accept tips, by the way.)
Got a bicycle? You can indicate tt in your app preference prior to pick up, so you can connect with a van carrying a bike rack.
Use your phone to tell Metro Flex where you are and where you want to go. You’ll receive a nearby pickup location only a short walk away. Metro Flex vans use “virtual bus stops.” Customers may be asked to take a short walk to the virtual bus stop—the app provides walking directions.
In addition to people requiring a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, if you need other mobility assistance, or have trouble walking short distances, just indicate this within your Metro Flex profile. If you book rides over the phone (206-258-7739) tell the customer service agent about your ride support needs as well.
Only one wheelchair passenger will fit in each Metro Flex vehicle. The wheelchair ramp can accommodate up to 800 pounds and wheelchairs up to 36 inches wide.
Download the Metro Flex app and give it a try. Convenient mobility around Issaquah is waiting for you!
Metro Flex is already a success with riders across the region, and now we are taking it to the next level with this expansion to thousands of future riders in the City of Issaquah,” On-demand transit has the power to transform and improve a city’s transportation network and give residents first-mile/last-mile connections to transit hubs, services, shopping, and opportunities. We look forward to rolling out this exciting service.
-King County Executive Dow Constantine.
The City of Issaquah has been working for at least 10 years to bring an on-demand transit option to several neighborhoods historically not served by transit. Metro Flex will provide our neighborhoods much needed access to local services, bus routes, and transit centers, helping to fulfill multiple aspects of the city’s comprehensive plan and mobility master plan. The added service will fill intracity mobility gaps, which will benefit all residents of Issaquah. The city is excited to partner with King County Metro to bring this service to our community.
-John Larson-Friend, Transportation Program Coordinator for the City of Issaquah.
We are so excited to partner with the City of Issaquah to expand the Metro Flex program and help meet the unique mobility needs of Issaquah, District 3, and the broader community. It is so great to have on-demand access through the touch of an app that move us towards transit solutions for all.
-Councilmember Sarah Perry
We’re excited to partner with the City of Issaquah and deliver expanded Metro Flex service to new communities. Smart on-demand solutions bring convenient options to better connect the communities across Issaquah and support a car-lite lifestyle. We can’t wait for residents to give it a try.
-Metro General Manager Michelle Allison
Is this available in Redmond?
Thats god thanks for the news
Why is Issaquah Highlands excluded? Seems counter intuitive to exclude a neighborhood from a service that caters to a specific town. People who live in Highlands also use public transportation.
The western part of Burien could use a Metro Flex service like this one too, especially on the weekends when we don’t have any service.