Metro considering simpler bus fares; public invited to weigh in

Metro Rapid Ride bus
Photo courtesy Metro Transit

King County Metro Transit wants to hear from the public as planning begins to make paying fares to ride the bus faster, easier, and simpler for everyone.

Transit riders in King County and the greater region struggle with the complexity of Metro’s fare structure. It includes a peak-time surcharge and two zones with an adult-fare surcharge on trips crossing the zone boundary during peak.

Metro and the six other regional transit agencies that represent the ORCA (One Regional Card for All) smart-card system have committed to looking at simplifying fares across all agencies as they prepare for improvements and modernization of the ORCA system.

As part of that process, Metro is considering options that would allow for speedier boarding, improve safety for drivers, help increase ridership and further reduce barriers for vulnerable populations.

This month, Metro invites the public to provide direction on fare change options and longer-term work on fare-related issues by participating in an online questionnaire. In April, the public will have additional opportunities to provide feedback on fare change options via a second online survey and open houses.

The public can find the survey as well as sign up to receive updates via Metro’s fare review website.

The deadline for the survey is April 7.