Alerts Center

When streets are snowy or icy, Metro may reroute buses away from hills onto flatter roads. Buses may also shift from neighborhood streets onto arterials that are more likely to be plowed.

To find the planned snow route for your bus, check the map in your printed timetable or on Metro Online. Look up your route map:

The maps will show the regular route and a dashed line for the snow route. Metro may operate chained shuttles along hilly portions of some routes to help connect riders to rerouted service. Chained shuttles are signed "Shuttle."

The Snow, Ice & Flood Map will show where buses have been moved to their snow routes.

Special snow service for downtown Seattle, First Hill and Capitol Hill

When the Central Seattle area map color in the Metro Online Alerts Center turns turns RED, Metro will also activate service on its special Route 90 circulator route. The Route 90 number will not be on the bus stop signs. However, the Route 90 will serve all bus stops along the route shown in the map below. Route 90 will provide about three trips per hour and operate between approximately 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Route 90 also operates when the Snow, Ice & Flood Map turns BLUE, meaning the Emergency System Network is in place.

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Sign up for Transit Alerts. Metro will e-mail or text you alerts about changes in service for bus routes you select.

Visit the Metro Online Alerts Center. Learn about changes to bus service because of snow or other disruptions. You'll find the Snow, Ice & Flood Map showing whether buses have been rerouted because of snow, a list of all rerouted buses, and links to descriptions of snow routes and Metro's Emergency Service Network.

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Call Metro's Customer Information Office, 206-553-3000. Metro's customer information specialists will answer your questions about transit service. Interpreters are available. During bad weather, wait times may be longer than usual, so consider using Metro Online and Transit Alerts to get information faster.

Remember that the Metro Online Trip Planner does not show service revisions, delays or cancellations. This also applies to other trip planning programs not hosted by King County.

The Metro Online Tracker program may not be accurate when buses go on snow routes. This also applies to other transit tracker programs not hosted by King County, such as One Bus Away.

Metro will announce how weather is affecting its bus routes in seven areas of King County. Some or all of the routes in each area could be rerouted, based on weather and road conditions.

Bus operations in effect in each area are shown by four colors:

GREEN means buses are operating on regular routes in that area.

YELLOW means some buses are on reroute. In Metro Online, click on a yellow area to find out which buses have been rerouted and to link to more detailed information about your selected route.

RED means all buses in that area are on reroute and some routes may be canceled. In Metro Online, click on a red area to learn which routes are running and to link to more detailed information about your selected route.

BLUE means the Emergency Service Network is in effect. In the rare event that Metro declares a snow emergency, the entire map will be blue. The Emergency Service Network is explained further below.

The Metro Online Alerts Center will display the most up-to-date map. You may also hear the map areas mentioned on news reports.

Know the name of the geographic area where you live and work and remember the color codes. They will help you when you hear or receive reports about Metro's snow service.

*NOTE: When the Central Seattle area turns RED or BLUE, Metro will also activate Route 90 serving Capital Hill, First Hill, and downtown Seattle. See above for details.

During the worst weather or other emergency conditions, Metro may activate its emergency service Network (ESN).

That means Metro service will be severely reduced to core bus routes and shuttles serving only key arterials and transit centers. Some neighborhoods and areas of the county will have no bus service because of difficult travel conditions or geography.

The Snow, Ice & Flood Map on Metro Online will be blue when the ESN is activated. Metro will also send alerts to all customers who have signed up for Metro Transit Alerts. Customers without internet access should pay close attention to television, radio and other media weather bulletins that refer to "Metro's Emergency Service Network."

The ESN is designed to be reliable during the most severe weather conditions. Each ESN route will follow its regular or adverse weather routing as described in its timetable.

Routes 2, 71, 90, 102, 221, 255, 348 and the C-Line operate as chained shuttles for all or portions of their routing. Passengers may have to transfer to another chained coach.

Please note that there may be delays in the route's regular operating schedule due to unexpected road conditions. Please check the Metro Online Alerts Center for the latest information. It will not be possible for Metro to say when buses will be at specific locations.

The table below lists the origins and destinations for the routes in operation when the ESN is in effect.

The ESN is designed to be reliable during the most severe weather conditions. Each ESN route (except Route 2) will follow its normal operating schedule as best as possible. The Route 2 shuttle will operate about four trips per hour between approximately 5:30 am to 1:00 a.m. Please note that there may be delays due to unexpected road conditions. Please check the Metro Online Alerts Center at www.kingcounty.gov/metro/alerts for the latest information.

Special snow service for downtown Seattle, First Hill and Capitol Hill

When the Central Seattle area map color in the Metro Online Alerts Center turns turns RED, Metro will also activate service on its special Route 90 circulator route. The Route 90 number will not be on the bus stop signs. However, the Route 90 will serve all bus stops along the route shown in the map below. Route 90 will provide about three trips per hour and operate between approximately 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Route 90 also operates when the Snow, Ice & Flood Map turns BLUE, meaning the Emergency System Network is in place.

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• Sign up for Metro Transit Alerts to get snow, ice and flood alerts sent to you
• Bookmark the Metro Alerts Center
• Pick up a printed timetable for your route early in the season when they're likely to be available. These timetables show snow routes. Snow maps by route are also shown on Metro Online.
• Familiarize yourself with school, daycare and employer snow policies.
• Save the Metro Customer Information number, 206-553-3000.

Before you travel, check weather reports and find out from Metro if your bus has been rerouted.

• Check the Snow, Ice & Flood page to see what areas are affected and which routes are on reroute.
• Some routes may be delayed or otherwise affected by conditions in other areas.
• Find the planned snow route for your bus in your printed timetable or on Metro Online.
• Know other bus routes or stops that would work for you if your regular service is delayed or rerouted. You may find more bus service on cleared arterials, at major transit hubs, and at park-and-ride lots.
• Expect unpredictable delays in bus service caused by traffic, street or weather conditions. Prepare to wait longer at your bus stop. Travel times may be slower than normal.
• Remember that the Metro Online Trip Planner does not show service revisions, delays or cancellations. This also applies to other trip planning programs not provided by King County.
• The Metro Online Tracker program may not be accurate when buses go on snow routes. This also applies to other programs not provided by King County.
• When streets are slick, avoid hills; wait for buses at posted bus stops on flat portions of arterial streets, or at park-and-ride lots, transit centers or major transfer points.
• More people ride Metro during snow and bad weather conditions. Your Metro buses may be more crowded than usual.

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Voice: 206-553-3000; TTY: 711

During adverse weather, many riders may be trying to get information, and Metro's phone lines may be busy. Metro Customer Information can tell you about reported service revisions or cancellations, but may not know about every road condition that forces Metro service into unplanned rerouting. Under these conditions, customer service operators will not be able to tell you if your bus is on time.

Customers who call Metro's Customer Information number may have to try several times to get through. Please listen to recorded messages that may contain the information you need, and stay on the line for the next available Customer Information Specialist. Calls are answered in the order they are received.

RPIN is your one-stop resource for news alerts from more than 75 government, transportation, utility, health and emergency response agencies serving citizens in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.

Voice: 206-553-3000; TTY: 711

Metro will do its best to provide scheduled accessible bus service during adverse conditions; however, those conditions sometimes prevent the use of lifts or ramps or may not allow the bus to reach the curb or serve every bus stop.

When the lift or ramp cannot be used, the driver will report the problem and, if possible, arrange for alternate service. During adverse conditions, there could be a significant delay. People who cannot wait in the cold may want to find alternate transportation.

Voice: 206-205-5000; TTY: 711

If you have to dial "1" first to reach those numbers, call 1-866-205-5001 or, for TTY users only, 1-877-749-4286.

Registered Access Transportation riders should phone the call center on days with snow and ice conditions. The call center's phone system will carry special announcements when service has been disrupted or suspended because of adverse weather.

When service must be suspended for safety reasons, Access Transportation vehicles may still be available for emergency services such as trips to critical medical appointments or to pick up prescriptions or groceries.

Access Transportation staff will make every effort to provide service to registered riders who notify the call center that their trips are essential. Please note, however, that Access Transportation staff will make the final decision about whether a trip can be provided safely.

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Current adverse weather and operating status will be provided through the emergency alert system or your school or employer contacts.

Carpool and VanPool riders should check with their drivers to discuss snow plans in advance of adverse weather. Get some winter driving tips

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