Metro requiring face masks for riders

Metro requiring face masks for riders

Fri, 05/15/2020

information from King County Metro

Starting Monday, May 18, until further notice, passengers are required to wear masks or face coverings while riding transit, according to a new Public Health Directive from Dr Jeff Duchin, Public Health – Seattle  & King County health officer, along with King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkin.  

Included in the announcement of Monday’s implementation of this directive are answers to frequently asked questions and more information from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website

Additionally, King County Metro Transit and sound Transit are continuing to operate with service reductions that went into effect on April 18, with service on a few heavily traveled routes now being supplemented with extra buses in order to accommodate riders and support social distancing.

In support of recently implemented coach capacity guidelines and the continuing suspension of fare payment, seat signs to promote healthy social distancing have been added to transit vehicles.

Metro is committed to the safety of all customers and staff. 

Thanks to everyone who is staying home and keeping transit seats available for those who must travel for essential work, medicine or groceries.

On the bus and in other public spaces, please wear a mask or face covering and maintain at least 6 feet of distance from other riders and Metro staff. 

Before traveling, check Next Departures or Text for Departures for the scheduled or predicted times at stops.  Canceled routes and trips have been removed from these systems, so the results will include only what is currently scheduled to operate. 

Watch for updates, as conditions may change. 

Coach capacity guidelines 
To support the health and safety of passengers, drivers, and community members, Metro has implemented passenger limits on buses in order to promote social distancing. 

To better help each person maintain six feet of separation from others as guided by Public Health – Seattle & King County, the optimal number of passengers is 12 on a 40-foot bus and 18 on a 60-foot bus. 

Seat signs have been added to transit vehicles to indicate safe seating distances.

Metro apologizes in advance to customers who could be passed by at-capacity buses and other transit vehicles.  While Metro has supplemented service on some heavily traveled routes on weekdays between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM and some late-night service, those added buses are not scheduled and it is not possible to tell where there will be extra buses for specific trips.

Intending passengers are encouraged to allow plenty of time for their transit trips in case their travel is affected by reduced service or coach overloads.

Options 
While coach overloads – and associated travel delays - could happen at any time of day or at any point along a bus’s route, and may vary from day to day, riders may wish to consider strategies such as boarding at the terminal (end) of a route or at major stops or transfer points where more people may be exiting coaches and freeing up seats. 

If your service is reduced know what alternate service might be available. 

Adjust your schedule if possible to ride at less busy times of day,  

Metro has developed mobility options for customers taking essential trips, including temporary 2-person VanPools and Access rides for persons with disabilities. 

If you must go, please know: 
Only ride transit for essential trips.  
Allow plenty of time for your transit trip.

Please wear a mask or face covering. Cover coughs and sneezes.

Be aware of service reductions and coach capacity guidelines.

Do not travel if you are sick. 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.

Safety straps and seat signs are installed to provide separation on buses and other transit vehicles.  Informational signs and decals are posted. Observe and abide by all signs, decals and guidelines.

‘Reduced Schedule’ operation 
Metro’s temporary Reduced Schedule operation helps to maintain a sustainable transit system that is for necessary trips only. A few routes are not affected, some routes are completely canceled, and most routes that are operating have some trips that are canceled. 

Many routes that are either canceled or that have reduced service have some possible alternate serviceoptions. 

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:

Watch for updates, as conditions are subject to change. 

Other services 
Metro customer services 
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
Link service is operating every 30 minutes. 

Additional Information 
King County resources

Other transit agencies

Robinson Papers