King County Metro:
SUMMARY
Another boost in King County Metro bus service begins Aug. 30. New and improved routes will better serve Eastside communities and help facilitate connections to Sound Transit’s 2 Line light rail stations. Metro also is adding bus service in Seattle on Route 106 funded by the voter-approved Seattle Transit Measure. On-demand service Metro Flex is expanding to Bellevue on Sept. 15.
STORY
Metro is enhancing bus service to better connect riders with the light rail stations on the 2 Line and throughout Seattle. Starting Aug. 30, there will be more frequent access both on the Eastside and in Seattle. Full details are on Metro’s Service Change webpage.
“We’re delivering what riders and residents asked for: more frequent bus service, better evening and weekend options, and improved connections to Sound Transit 2 Line stations on the Eastside,” King County Executive Braddock said. “With 900 more trips per week across Metro’s system, regional travel options keep improving.”
Following a comprehensive review of bus service across 21 cities on the Eastside and parts of Seattle, Metro is rolling out service improvements in phases as part of the Eastside Link Connections project. Extensive engagement from Eastside communities and the thousands of riders who rely on public transit guided Metro’s plan, which was approved by the King County Council this past spring.
“You’ll be seeing more Metro bus service, meeting the needs of riders and providing new, faster connections every day, all day,” Metro General Manager Michelle Allison said. “Some of these upgrades are laying the groundwork for the further expansion of the 2 Line coming next year and we invite everyone to explore the new places you’ll be able to go on transit.”
Highlights of Aug. 30 service updates
New bus routes improve connections
- Route 203: Connecting Issaquah Highlands, North Issaquah, Issaquah Transit Center, Newport Way, Factoria and the 2 Line at South Bellevue Station.
- Route 222: Connecting Overlake, Idylwood, downtown Redmond, Education Hill and Cottage Lake, and the 2 Line at Downtown Redmond and Redmond Technology Stations.
- Route 223: Connecting Eastgate, Lake Hills, Overlake and 2 Line service at Downtown Redmond Station, with more frequent 20-minute weekday service.
- Route 256: Direct peak-only service connecting Woodinville, Brickyard Park & Ride, Totem Lake, Kingsgate Park & Ride, Yarrow Point Freeway Station, Evergreen Point Freeway Station, South Lake Union and downtown Seattle.
More frequent buses on weekdays
- DART Route 224 between Duvall and Redmond will improve to service every 60 minutes.
- Route 226 in Bellevue will provide peak service every 20 minutes connecting Downtown Bellevue, Lake Hills, Bellevue College, Eastgate and the 2 Line at South Bellevue Station.
- Route 240 will improve to service every 20 minutes during peak and midday times on a revised pathway connecting Downtown Bellevue to the South Bellevue Station, Factoria, Newcastle and Renton.
- DART Route 249 will improve to service every 30 minutes on weekdays with hourly service added from 7 to 9 p.m. connecting Redmond Technology Station, Overlake, downtown Bellevue, and South Bellevue Station.
More frequent Route 106 service in Seattle
The voter-approved Seattle Transit Measure (STM) is funding 30 new bus trips per week in early mornings and mid-day on Route 106, which connects Chinatown-International District in Seattle to Mount Baker, Rainier Beach, Skyway and Renton. These 30 new trips mean that Route 106 buses will now arrive every 15 minutes from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Prior to this investment, buses arrived every 20-30 minutes. These investments will support better access to services along this route, and to the new Judkins Park Link light rail station when it opens next year on Sound Transit’s Line 2.
STM was approved by voters in November 2020 and is funded by a 0.15% sales tax through early 2027. The Seattle Transit Measure supports transit access and frequency across Seattle.
“Seattle Transit Measure investments are a testament to our commitment to equitable and accessible transit for all,” SDOT Interim Director Adiam Emery said. “We are supporting our King County Metro partners’ regional service investments with more service on Route 106, ensuring that our neighbors who depend the most on transit have more frequent, reliable connections to essential services and new Link light rail stations in the future. These improvements reflect the power of collaboration and the voices of our residents. They are part of a set of bold investments we’re making as a City to enhance transit for everyone.”
Enhanced Eastside service that launched in June will continue
New Metro Flex coming to Overlake in Bellevue Sept. 15
Metro Flex’s upcoming service area in Bellevue will allow riders to connect to and from 2 Line service at Overlake Village Station. Metro Flex is your on-demand neighborhood transit service. With one simple app or booking by phone, a vehicle will take you anywhere in the service area, all for the same cost as a bus trip. Metro Flex is convenient, fast, affordable transit at your fingertips. Metro will pilot electric vehicles in Bellevue. Details and the service area map will be available soon on the Metro Flex webpage.
More details and help for riders online, via customer service
Riders can review the route updates on Metro’s web page in English, 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese), Русский (Russian), Español (Spanish) and Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese). Additional languages are available by using an online translation tool. Bus trip schedules will be updated across most bus routes, and new orange timetables will soon be available on buses and at popular transit locations.
Metro’s customer information office can answer questions from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at 206-553-3000. Also, Metro’s Trip Planner will be updated before Aug. 30 so riders can plan future travel.
Fare changes coming Sept. 1
As Metro has previously shared, fares are increasing to $3 for its buses, Metro Flex, and Seattle Streetcar starting Sept. 1, 2025. King County Water Taxi adult fares using an ORCA card will increase by 25 cents, and ORCA LIFT discounted fares on water taxis will be reduced to $1. Riders are encouraged to update their ORCA card autoloads and monthly PugetPass. Reduced fare options are available for riders with lower incomes, and for seniors and riders with disabilities.
Relevant links
