Dept. of Transportation
Metro Transit Division

King Street Center
201 S Jackson St
Seattle, WA 98104

How to Ride Metro

Paying your Fare

When to pay

Pay in front. Exit in back.

Beginning Sept. 29, 2012

You board and pay at the front door for every ride. This "pay on entry" system is also used on Sound Transit and Community Transit buses operating in King County.

The only exceptions are on Metro's RapidRide lines at stations with ORCA readers, ST's Link Light Rail and Sounder which allow boarding at all doors, and on morning Vashon Island service leaving the Fauntleroy ferry dock for downtown Seattle.

A sign on the farebox tells you what to pay.

Riders will be encouraged to exit through the rear doors whenever possible. People who need to, however, such as those with strollers or mobility devices, anyone needing a little extra time, or anyone who needs to let the driver know that they are removing a bike from the rack, can exit by the front door.

If you don't already have an ORCA card, now is a great time to get one to speed up boarding the bus and make it easier to transfer between all the modes of public transportation in the region. Check to see if your employer offers ORCA as a transportation benefit, or buy your own.

What to pay

Please have the exact fare ready; drivers do not carry change.

Effective Sept. 1, 2011 – Valid on King County Metro Transit

  Off-Peak
All Zones		 Peak
One Zone		 Peak
Two Zone 		 
Adult
age 19-64		 $2.25 $2.50 $3.00

Peak Hours
Monday to Friday 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m.

Zones
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, you pay a one-zone fare.

Transfers
Metro paper transfers are valid on only Metro buses. If you are paying cash and use more than one transit system you must pay a fare each time you board a different bus.
Senior
with Regional Reduced Fare Permit		 75¢ 75¢ 75¢
Riders with disabilities and Medicare card holders
with Regional Reduced Fare Permit		 75¢ 75¢ 75¢
Youth
age 6-18		 $1.25 $1.25 $1.25
Children
age 0-5 yrs		 Up to four children age 5 and under ride free with a person paying an adult fare.
Access Transportation $1.25 $1.25 $1.25
Animals
service animals & pets
  • Service animals for persons with disabilities: Free
  • Dogs that fit in owners' laps and other small pets: Free
  • Large dogs: Pay the same fare as their owner

How to pay

ORCA reader

To pay for your ride, use either the fare box or the ORCA card reader.

  • If you are using cash, put your money in the farebox located next to the driver. The farebox has a sign that tells you the fare.
  • If you are using an ORCA card, place your card flat against the ORCA logo on the card reader.
  • When your travel requires riding a second bus, be informed about how to transfer.

    Transfers

    If you are paying cash and would like a paper transfer, ask the driver for one at the time you pay. Metro paper transfers are valid on only Metro buses. If you are paying cash and use more than one transit system you must pay a fare each time you board a different bus.

    If you are using an ORCA card, you get a two-hour transfer that is good on all transit buses, Link Light Rail, Sounder trains, the King County Water Taxi and the Seattle Streetcar. Just tap your ORCA card at the ORCA reader next to the fare box at the front of the bus when boarding.
Updated: October 5, 2012