County Council approves simplifying Metro Transit fares

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The Metropolitan King County Council unanimously approved steps simplifying Metro Transit's complex fare structure to a flat $2.75 adult fare.

The new fare plan eliminates a payment system that fluctuated between time and distance and could cost an adult rider between the ages 19-64 anywhere from $2.50 to $3.25 a ride.

“We’ve heard from the community, and we are responding by making riding Metro Transit in King County easier and more convenient,” said Council Vice Chair Rod Dembowski, chair of the Council’s Transportation Economy and Environment Committee, and prime sponsor of the legislation. 

“Riders, especially ones new to the system, should have the confidence to board a Metro bus and know the required fare. I hope the flat fare makes using Metro more understandable and encourages first-time users to ride Metro.”

The new adult fare does not affect the roughly 1 in 3 Metro riders who pay ORCA Lift— Metro’s low income fare program— or youth, senior, and disabled fares. 

The proposal does away with zone and peak-period fares.

Fare simplification was recommended by the Regional Fare Forum, a group of elected officials from King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties, tasked with simplifying and modernizing the region’s transit fare policies. From March to June of 2017, Metro Transit engaged riders in an extensive survey and outreach process to develop the flat fare concept.

Metro Transit’s General Manager Rob Gannon said “Customers can expect better service overall, with faster boardings, reduced delays and improved safety due to fewer disputes over payment when the $2.75 flat fare takes effect.”

The Council also voted for additional funding to assist low income riders who are not covered by ORCA Lift and directed Metro to increase efforts to enroll eligible adults into ORCA Lift before new fares take effect.

The new fare structure will go into effect in July of 2018.