As the region continues to respond to COVID-19, King County Metro will reduce weekend bus service beginning Saturday April 18, and further reduce weekday bus service starting Monday, April 20. Water Taxi and First Hill Streetcar will continue to operate on previously reduced schedules.
This revised Reduced Schedule provides a core network of public transportation services to maintain access to critical supplies, services, and worksites across the region. Details about weekend changes are below; canceled trip details weekday service will be revised and updated online.
Overall, Metro will operate with approximately 42% fewer buses, 36% fewer transit operators, and 27% fewer service trips than typical weekday service. Weekend trips will be reduced by 15% on Saturdays and 4% on Sundays.
“To reserve transit for those who need it most, we’re calling on riders to travel only if absolutely necessary and to wear a face covering to help limit the spread of COVID-19,” said King County Metro General Manager Rob Gannon. “Adjusting our weekend and weekday service allows us to continue to operate a reliable network of service for essential travel needs – for food, medicine, and work – while responding to decreased ridership demands and to the overall availability of Metro’s workforce. Our goal is to continue to serve the community, and we’re grateful for and commend our frontline staff.”
Starting the week of April 20, King County Metro Transit and Sound Transit are introducing a new round of service reductions in response to changing operating conditions associated with the COVID-19 crisis.
Thanks to everyone who is staying home and keeping transit seats available for those who must travel for essential work, medicine or groceries.
This week’s new temporary reductions, as well as added measures to support physical distancing, are designed to keep riders and employees safe while providing essential services. No payment of fare is required.
Metro’s Customer Information phone line at 206-553-3000 will be open for special limited hours from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday, April 18 and 19 for assistance with service reduction questions and trip planning.
Before traveling, check Next Departures or Text for Departures for updated scheduled or predicted times at stops.
On the bus and in other public spaces, please maintain at least 6 feet of distance from other riders and Metro staff.
Watch for updates, as conditions may change.
If you must go, please know:
Only ride transit for essential trips.
Do not travel if you are sick.
Wear a mask. Cover coughs and sneezes.
Board and exit by the rear door if you are able to.
Maintain at least 6 feet of distance from other passengers and Metro staff.
Observe and abide by all signs, decals and guidelines.
Safety straps are installed to provide separation on buses and other transit vehicles.
Informational signs and decals are posted.
‘Reduced Schedule’ operation
Metro’s temporary Reduced Schedule operation helps to maintain a sustainable transit system that is for necessary trips only. Some routes are not affected, a few routes are completely canceled, and most routes have some trips that are canceled.
Many routes that are either canceled or that have reduced service have some possible alternate service options.
Weekday routes & services that are completely canceled
While many routes have two or more individual trips canceled, the weekday routes and services listed below are completely canceled until further notice:
- Metro routes 5 Express, 9, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21 Express, 22, 29, 37, 47, 55, 56, 57, 74, 76, 77, 78, 102, 111, 113, 114, 116, 118, 119, 121, 122, 123, 125, 143, 154, 157, 158, 159, 167, 177, 178, 179, 186, 190, 192, 197, 200, 208, 212, 214, 216, 217, 218, 219, 221, 224, 226, 232, 237, 241, 246, 249, 252, 257, 268, 301, 304, 308, 311, 312, 316, 330, 342, 355, 630 - Mercer Island Community Shuttle, 773, 775, 823, 824, 886, 887, 888, 889, 891, 892, 893, 894, 895, 907, 910, 913, 930, 931, 952, 980, 981, 982, 984, 986, 987, 988, 989, 994 & 995;Sound Transit Express Bus routes 541, 555 and 556;
- The South Lake Union Streetcar;
- The Seattle Center Monorail, and
- Via to Transit.
Find specific canceled trips
Routes that are not listed above are operating, but may have up to several trips that are canceled.
To identify whether a specific trip is operating or canceled, the following tools are available:
- Visit the check canceled trips tool on the Reduced Schedule page.
- In real time, text your stop ID to 62550 to find the next few departure times at your stop with Text for Departures.
- Use the ‘Next Departure’ feature in Metro’s Trip Planner website or apps.
- Call 206-553-3000 on weekdays, 6 AM-8 PM.
- Ask @kcmetrobus on Twitter weekdays, between 6 AM-8 PM
Watch for updates, as conditions are subject to change.
Other services
Metro customer services
Except for special operating hours if noted, Metro’s Customer Information phone line at 206-553-3000 is available during its regular weekday hours of 6:00 AM-8:00 PM for trip planning and general information, and from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM for ORCA transactions and submitting comments.
Metro’s walk-in fare media sales and lost-and-found offices in Pioneer Square are currently closed.
ORCA queries and transactions, submitting comments and reporting lost items can all be done on Metro’s website, or you are welcome to call the number above during regular operating hours for assistance.
King County Water Taxis
The King County Water Taxi is operating with one vessel for six roundtrip sailings per weekday.
Water taxis are not currently operating on weekends.
Water Taxi shuttle routes 773 and 775 are discontinued until further notice.
City of Seattle First Hill Streetcar
The first Hill Streetcar is operating
- Monday-Saturday every 20 minutes from 5:30 AM-8:30 PM, with
- Regular Sunday hours and schedule expected.
The South Lake Union Streetcar is canceled until further notice.
Link light rail
On Monday, April 20, Link service will be revised to operate every 30 minutes.
Additional Information
King County resources
- King County Metro Transit
- King County Public Health
- Other King County services
Other transit agencies
