Approved: King County Metro’s 2026-27 budget adds service, invests in zero emissions, safety and cleaning
The King County Council adopted Metro’s 2026-2027 budget in November 2025. The budget adds more than 400,000 hours of Metro bus service and totals $4 billion across Metro’s operating and capital programs, including all of Metro’s modes of transit as well as safety, cleaning, and zero emissions, among other priorities.
“This budget reflects King County’s values, which means delivering a balanced plan that protects essential services, increases efficiency, and reinvests in programs that most benefit our residents. This newly approved budget reflects many of the priorities I outlined in my 200-day plan, including protecting key services, enhancing public safety, safeguarding our emergency preparedness efforts, increasing transit access, and resisting harmful federal funding rollbacks.”
– King County Executive Shannon Braddock
Adding bus service: Metro will add more than 400,000 service hours to connect riders to new Sound Transit Link light rail stations, provide more frequent service, and redesign service to meet current and future needs.
RapidRide expansion: Metro is also continuing to expand its RapidRide network with significant investments that will increase ridership. We’re building and then opening the RapidRide I Line (between Auburn, Kent and Renton) and the RapidRide J Line (between Pioneer Square, Belltown and the University District). On the horizon we’re continuing to plan for the RapidRide R Line (serving Seattle’s Chinatown-International District, Mount Baker, Columbia City, Hillman City, Brighton and Dunlap) and the RapidRide K Line (serving Bellevue and Kirkland).
Improving transit, including in rural areas and south King County: The budget invests in Access Paratransit, Dial-a-Ride Transit (DART), the King County Water Taxi, Metro Flex, and Sound Transit Link light rail (which Metro operates). The budget initiates new Metro Flex pilot zones in Auburn and Federal Way. The expanded frequency of Snoqualmie Valley Transportation would be maintained in alignment with expanding service in unincorporated areas of King County.
Making transit safe and welcoming: To continue improving safety and security on and near Metro, the budget extends the Safety, Security and Fare Enforcement (SaFE) Reform initiative, which includes the Behavioral Health Support and Metro Ambassador programs. The budget also maintains expanded staffing levels for Metro Transit Police and Transit Security Officers, as approved by the King County Council in the recent 2025 supplemental budget.
Cleaning buses, bus stops and transit centers: Funding to enhance the rider experience also is included, making permanent the frequent cleaning of bus interiors and continuing a pilot project delivering additional cleanings of high-priority bus stops.
Upgrading air quality and tackling climate change: Focusing on climate and the environment, the budget adds staff and support services for the future Tukwila bus base –the agency’s first-ever bus base designed specifically to support zero-emissions buses. Tukwila Base will open in 2026 and serve up to 120 battery-electric buses. Metro’s other bus bases will transition existing diesel-hybrid buses to run on renewable diesel.
Hiring operators, supporting community members and looking ahead to the World Cup: Other notable investments include continuing the Service & Workforce initiative to hire and train the bus operators that provide transit service, providing transportation to residents of the Health Through Housing initiative within the Department of Community and Human Services, and delivering additional service during the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.