Downtown Seattle Accessible Map and Transit Guide
A guide to getting around downtown Seattle on Metro Transit for wheelchair users and those with other disabilities
Download the Accessible Downtown Seattle map. [.PDF 414KB] To read the map detail, increase the magnification. Tip: the map is too large to print on most printers. If you need only a portion of the map, change the magnification until the section you want will fill a standard sheet of legal or letter paper. Use the snapshot tool in Adobe Reader to take a "picture" of the section. Paste the picture into a word processing or graphics/photo software. Then, you can print it and save it for future reference.
Metro Transit has the "Accessible Downtown Seattle Map" available in printed form. You may pick one up at timetable kiosks or, send an e-mail to Access.CustomerService@kingcounty.gov - Please give your postal mailing address including ZIP code.
If your web browser does not have a viewer defined for PDF formatted files, please download the appropriate reader [external link], courtesy of Adobe.
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Getting around downtown
Seattle is a city of hills. Using public transportation and a variety of building elevators, and escalators, you can plan trips to a number of downtown Seattle destinations that avoid the hills. When downtown office buildings are closed, Metro bus routes offer service up and down the hills.
North of University Street, travel in all directions is fairly easy because it's relatively flat. South of University Street, streets and sidewalks become steep and hilly. Most downtown sidewalks have curb ramps at the corners. In Pioneer Square, curb cuts are not as common. Also, this historic district which dates from the turn of the century has a variety of paving materials.
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Taking public transit
Getting around downtown Seattle is easiest on public transit. Metro buses, the Waterfront Streetcars and the Monorail are accessible to everyone. For trip planning and questions about Metro, please call our Rider Information Office at 206-553-3000. TTY users should only call the statewide relay at 711.
Third Avenue is the center of the downtown core and offers the most frequent bus service northbound and southbound.
East-west bus routes run on Pine, Pike, Union, Spring, Seneca, Madison, Marion, James and South Jackson streets.
Bus stops throughout downtown Seattle are marked by a yellow and white bus stop sign which lists the bus routes that stop there. Signs include bus schedules, fare information, a map and destination information.
Downtown bus stops are located about every other block. Accessible bus stops are marked with the international access symbol. Sidewalks at some of the stops on east-west streets are very steep and it may be difficult for wheelchair users to board the lift safely. In this case, it is best to board a bus on First or Third avenues, transfer, and locate a level bus stop location.
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Fare information
Ride Free Area
Ride free in downtown Seattle from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The Ride Free Area extends from the north at Battery Street to South Jackson Street on the south, and from the east at Sixth Avenue to the waterfront on the west. Neither the Waterfront Streetcar nor the Monorail is included in the Ride Free Area.
When to pay
When boarding the bus, look at the sign on the farebox. It will tell you when to pay. If you need to change buses to get to your final destination, ask the driver for a transfer when you pay. Transfers are valid on any Metro bus or the Waterfront Streetcar for about one hour after they are issued.
Regional Reduced Fare Permit
Metro has a Regional Reduced Fare Permit which is available to senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The permit is also valid for reduced fares on other transit systems and the Washington State ferries.
With a valid permit you pay a reduced fare to any Metro destination outside of the downtown Ride Free Area.
Or, you can also buy a monthly or annual reduced fare sticker. With either sticker you pay no additional fare to ride Metro.
To receive application materials for a Regional Reduced Fare Permit, please call the Metro Customer Service Office at 206-553-3060. TTY users should only call the statewide relay at 711. Or, download a .PDF version.
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Riding Metro's accessible buses
All of Metro's buses are accessible to persons with mobility impairments. Older high-floor buses have a lift, while newer low-floor buses have a kneeling feature and a ramp.
The lift, ramp or kneeling feature can be used by anyone who has difficulty climbing stairs. This includes persons with walkers, crutches, canes, and other assistive devices as well as those using manual and power wheelchairs or scooters. All buses have two locations for wheelchair and scooter users. Metro's policy is that all mobility aids must be secured facing the front of the bus using the tie down system on the bus. An optional personal restraint system (seatbelt and shoulder harness) is also available.
Metro's buses have been designed to accommodate persons using mobility aids that meet the definition of a "common wheelchair," as contained in federal regulations:
Wheelchair means a mobility aid belonging to any class of three or four-wheeled devices, usable indoors, designed for and used by individuals with mobility impairments, whether operated manually or powered. A "common wheelchair" is such a device that does not exceed 30 inches in width and 48 inches in length measured two inches above the ground, and does not weigh more than 600 pounds when occupied.
Read more information about accessible buses.
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Rider assistance
We're here to serve you, so call our Customer Services Office at 206-553-3060, TTY users call 206-684-2029 during regular weekday business hours for information on:
Service animals ride Metro buses without charge.
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Bus travel training
Metro provides free bus travel training for seniors and people with disabilities. Our expert trainers have in-depth knowledge of Metro's bus system. They know the issues facing people with disabilities and seniors.
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Metro Customer Service offices
Metro has two Customer Service Offices in downtown Seattle.
Both locations sell bus passes, monthly stickers, and have system maps and timetables for all Metro routes. Persons under 65 must purchase their Regional Reduced Fare Permit at the King Street Center.
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Telephone Assistance
Phone numbers for Rider Information, Customer Service, Pass and Ticketbook Sales, Lost and Found, and other services.
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