Fare Information
All fare information contained in the pages below refer to Metro Transit only unless otherwise specified.
Fares
Passes & Ticketbooks
Commuting Hours and Zones
The scheduled trip time and how many zones you travel affect how much you pay.
During peak commuting hours - Monday to Friday, approximately 6-9 a.m. and approximately 3-6 p.m. - adults pay slightly more than during non-peak hours. These peak fares are based on a trip's scheduled times, not its actual arrival times; and the peak fare could begin slightly before these approximate times. Fares for all other riders are the same price all day.
What is a zone at Metro? The City of Seattle is one zone and all other areas outside the city, but within King County, are a second zone. Any time you cross the Seattle city limits, you have passed from a one-zone fare to a two-zone fare. Any time your trip begins or ends on a zone line, a one-zone fare is charged.
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King County Metro Bus Fares
Fares effective February 1, 2009
King County Metro Fare Type |
Cash Fare Per Trip |
One-Month PugetPass Price |
Metro Youth fare
(age 6-17) |
75¢ |
$27.00 |
Metro One- and Two-zone Off-peak |
$1.75 |
$63.00 |
Metro One-zone Peak |
$2.00 |
$72.00 |
Metro Two-zone Peak |
$2.50 |
$90.00 |
Annual passes are sold through the ORCA card website [external link]
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Reduced Fares
|
Reduced fares for qualified seniors/individuals with disability |
King County Metro Fare Type |
Cash Fare Per Trip |
Metro-only Monthly RRFP* Sticker |
Reduced Fare (bus) Peak and Off-peak |
$.50 |
$9.00 |
|
* Regional Reduced Fare Permit
For details on qualifying for a reduced fare, please see information on the Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP).
Metro's monthly reduced fare sticker is valid only on Metro service. |
Metro Access Pass
Fares effective February 1, 2009
A monthly Metro-only Access Pass for Access Transportation paratransit service is also valid for the peak and off-peak reduced fare on regular Metrro bus service (when presented with a Regional Reduced Fare Permit).
Access Pass |
King County Metro Fare Type |
Cash Fare Per Trip |
Metro-only Monthly Pass |
Access Transportation |
$1.00 |
$27.00 |
For details on eligibility to Access Transportation service, please see Metro Access Transportation Service.
For information on other transit agencies' reduced fares, please see the list of Puget Sound Transit Agencies and check the web site of the agency serving the area where you will be traveling. Travel between counties or on other transit agencies within King County may require an intercounty transfer. Buying a PugetPass to pay your fare is an option. For more information on purchasing the right pass for your needs, check Metro Online or contact Metro's Customer Service Office.
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South Lake Union Street Car
Adult |
$2.00 |
Youth (age 6-17 - children age 5 and under ride free) |
75¢ |
Reduced Fare (65 and over, persons with disabilities & persons with Medicare cards) |
50¢ |
PugetPass, Metro passes and all Metro transfers are accepted. Please note that Sound Transit and Community Transit transfers are not accepted at this time.
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Metro VanPool
Fares effective February 1, 2009
Metro VanPool/Transit Pass |
One-Month |
$2.00 Metro-only |
$72.00 |
$2.50 Metro-only |
$90.00 |
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Metro Ticketbooks
Fares effective February 1, 2009
Metro Ticketbooks |
Book of 16 - 50¢ tickets |
$8.00 |
Book of 20 - 75¢ tickets |
$15.00 |
Book of 12 - $1.75 tickets |
$21.00 |
Book of 20 - $2.00 tickets |
$40.00 |
Book of 20 - $2.50 tickets |
$50.00 |
Metro tickets are valid for their face value on Metro routes and Community Transit routes. They are also valid on Metro-operated Sound Transit Regional Express routes 522, 540, 545, 550, 554, 555, 556, 560, 564, 565 and 577. They are not valid on CT-operated Sound Transit Regional Express routes or other Sound Transit Regional Express routes. They are not valid on special service for events.
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Regional Day Pass (Weekend/Holiday)
For $4.00 riders can take unlimited rides on Metro and use the pass for $1.75 toward fare payment on Community Transit, Pierce Transit, Everett Tranisit and Sound Transit. The pass is available on all Metro buses on Saturday, Sunday and holidays when a Sunday schedule is operated.
The regional Day Pass is a paper flash pass - there is no magnetic stripe on it.
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Family fares
Monday - Saturday
Monday through Saturday, up to four children age five and under may ride free when accompanied by a responsible person paying an adult fare. Additional children must pay youth fare.
Sunday, holidays
The Family Fare is available to a group that includes at least one person age 18 or older and up to four persons age 17 or younger. The Family Fare is available on Sundays and holidays when a Sunday schedule is operated. The fare is $1.75 or a pass with $1.75 fare value or more for the fare paying adult. A Regional Reduced Fare Permit with the appropriate fare or a current monthly or annual sticker also qualifies as an adult fare.
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Animals on buses
Service animals for persons with disabilities ride without charge, as do small dogs that will fit in their owners' laps. Large dogs, leashed, pay the same fare as their owner and may not occupy a seat, but should ride on the floor of the coach next to their owner.
Other animals, cats, etc. that are not service animals must be carried in appropriate pet carriers.
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How to Pay
When riding Metro and traveling toward downtown Seattle, pay your fare as you board the bus. When traveling away from downtown, pay as you leave. The downtown Seattle Ride Free Area is not in effect between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Always pay as you board during this time period. On routes that do not go to downtown Seattle, pay when you board.
Deposit money or bus tickets into the farebox. The farebox accepts coins and paper currency. Drivers do not carry cash, so please have the exact fare ready. If you use a Metro pass or PugetPass, run it through the pass reader on the farebox. If your pass does not have a magnetic strip on the back, simply show it to the driver.
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. Transfers received on off-peak trips may be used on peak-hour trips by paying the balance of the peak fare. Metro transfers are valid for base fare on Sound Transit and other local transit systems.
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Easy Streets Tokens & City Park Tokens
Easy Streets Tokens - Easy Streets tokens are not accepted for transit fare payment. However, they are accepted by participating parking lots in Downtown Seattle. For information about participating lots, please call the Downtown Seattle Association, at 206-623-0340.
CityPark Tokens valid for $1.00 - A CityPark Token is valid for $1.00 toward a transit fare on Metro Transit, Sound Transit, and Community Transit buses. If the fare is greater than one dollar, the balance can be paid using an additional CityPark token, tickets, and/or cash (change and refunds will not be provided). If using a pass, the CityPark Token can also be used as $1.00 toward the difference of a higher fare. CityPark tokens are not valid on Sounder commuter rail. Tokens are available from participating Downtown Seattle merchants with a minimum purchase. For information about participating merchants, please call the Downtown Seattle Association at 206-623-0340.
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