Tips for traveling with King County Metro this winter season
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Winter season has arrived and King County Metro’s tools will help you stay informed so you can travel safely.
Know before you go
- Visit MetroWinter.com for tips on traveling during winter weather on bus, Access paratransit, streetcar, the King County Water Taxi or Metro Flex on-demand services. There are eight languages offered on the webpage including English, plus additional languages via the Google Translate tool.
- What’s a snow route? If buses can’t travel their regular routes due to roadway conditions, they might switch to alternate streets called snow routes. Preview snow routes for your favorite bus routes. Updates will be posted on Metro’s service advisories web page.
- Winter snow brochures are available on buses and other transit services, and include helpful travel tips and information.
- Want updates about changes to your bus route? Sign up to receive Transit Alerts via text or email for the routes and services you rely on. Already a subscriber? Review your subscriptions and make updates as we add new routes across King County.
- Detours or temporary changes to your bus route? Before traveling, check our service advisories webpage to see whether your route has changed due to construction closures or hazardous roadway conditions.
- Follow our social media channels on X (@KingCountyMetro) and Facebook (@kcmetro) for general information, alerts and major travel disruptions.
- Stay updated on road conditions in your area by connecting with your city, county and state alerts or social media channels.
- In extreme weather, travel only if necessary.
- Metro continues to collect fares during adverse weather. However, our operators will never make fares a barrier to people traveling in safety situations, such as riding to a warming center during cold snaps or a cooling center during summer heat waves.
Real-time updates
Get real-time updates on whether your trip is operating, when it’s due to depart or if it’s been canceled.
- Text your bus stop number to 62550 to receive a list of the next bus trips headed your way. Each trip will either show an estimated arrival time, “s” for scheduled, or “canceled.” Save 62550 in your phone in advance to help yourself remember. The number is also posted at bus stops.
- Next departures information is also available on Metro’s Trip Planner in the upper right corner of the page.
Other Metro services
In addition to buses, winter weather can delay or cancel transit service on other modes. Please double-check before you travel. The Water Taxi, Metro Flex and Access Paratransit post information on their webpages. Access riders also can call the Access Transportation Call Center at (206) 205-5000.
Ride safely and comfortably
- When roadways become snowy or icy, please wait for your bus at bus stops on flatter roadways and either the top or bottom of a hill, or where roadway conditions are maintained by snowplows.
- Remember, the sun is going down earlier, making visibility a challenge. Using a flashlight or a phone is a great way to signal the driver you’re at the bus stop.
- Conditions could delay service, so be prepared! Bundle up with weather-appropriate clothing and footwear as you wait for your trip.