2020 is almost over, but COVID-19 is still with us. Covid Alert!! Seattle Streetcar will operate on a reduced schedule starting on Monday, March 23. Metro said ridership on Wednesday was down 60 percent compared to the same timeframe last year, with approximately 250,000 fewer passengers. SEATTLE, WA — King County Metro will halt fare collection on all its transit services Saturday, amid a growing outbreak of the new coronavirus, and rides will remain free until further notice, officials said Friday. Inventory includes 7, 12 and 15 passenger vans and 5 passenger Nissan Leafs. 1 of 22. SEATTLE -- Metro bus rides will be free starting Saturday and riders will no longer enter and leave at the front of the bus, the agency announced Friday. King County officials said all riders should continue to follow public health mandates to avoid traveling when sick and ensure social distancing between passengers as much as possible. Dropping fares is one of several changes to Metro’s operations in response to the COVID-19 crisis. With significantly lower ridership during the COVID-19 epidemic, Metro reduced service on most routes on March 23 rd. "As the crisis evolves, we are constantly reviewing all of our practices and policies to provide the best service while keeping people safe," said Dow Constantine, the King County Executive. The suspension of fares and the new bus boarding policy follows the decision to temporarily reduce service on Link, Sounder and ST Express buses operated by King County Metro in light of drastically reduced demand, with ridership currently down nearly 70 percent. News. Sending a card to any Metro Transit bus garage or light rail facility (find addresses here) Sharing your appreciation on social media using #InThisTogether. "Suspending fare enforcement will limit hand-to-hand, close interactions between fare enforcement officers and passengers, protecting their health and — by extension — the health of our community," King County Metro wrote in a blog post. All buses will continue to undergo full cleanings every day. Sound Transit, King County Metro suspending fare enforcement to improve safety during novel coronavirus response The agencies say the move to temporarily … ‘This Unending Tragedy’: Nurse Spills Pain Of Lonely Death Watch, Mom's Cookie Recipe Brings Cheer To Sad Coronavirus Christmas, December 29 & 31 - Last Two Days for COVID-19 Antibody Testing, How To Have A Very Merry Safe Christmas In Washington, Inslee Extends Washington Eviction Moratorium Through March 2021, Washington Train Derailment: Fires Out, Clean Up Ongoing, Washington Homeowners: How To Clean Your Ducts And Vents, Washington Unemployment By County: How Each Region Is Faring. The … King County Metro will discontinue fare collections and institute temporary service reductions. Many King County services are continually adapting because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Routes fully cut: 9, 29, 47, 78, 125, 200, 208, 237, 308, 330, ST 541, Black Diamond/Enumclaw Community Ride, Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Community Ride, Normandy Park Community Ride, Sammamish Community Ride, Juanita Community Ride, Bothell/Woodinville Community Ride, Mercer Island Community Shuttle (630). Pfizer, Moderna vaccines for hospitals, urgent cares, H-E-B pharmacies Metro's announcement follows several tweets shared on social media in recent days, criticizing local transit authorities for continuing fare enforcement practices during a public health crisis. Metro suspended fares on March 21 to protect passengers and operators from the potential spread of COVID-19. Full details on route changes, beginning Monday, March 23, from King County Metro: Routes without changes: 22, 105, 118, 119, 154. King County Metro’s COVID-19 response lays groundwork for region’s pandemic recovery. Community Van trips for essential needs such as foodbank runs will continue as long as it is feasible and there are volunteer drivers available and willing to drive in the following communities: Service levels for all of Metro's mobility options are continually reevaluated and subject to change as Metro hears from public health officials and identifies community needs. King County Metro noted earlier this week that bus ridership is down 72%. northwest. In addition, 10 new deaths are reported, bringing the total of confirmed deaths in King County to 56 through Tuesday, March 17. Fares are $2.75 for an adult and $1.50 for youth. San Antonio, surrounding areas are getting thousands of COVID-19 vaccines this week. All Sound Transit Express bus service, including those operated by Metro, have already resumed collecting fares - a $3.25 flat fare. King County Metro, meanwhile, is transporting about 140,000 passengers a day, approximately 37 percent of its pre-COVID ridership, said Jeff Switzer, a spokesman for the agency. King County Metro has not yet said when it plans to charge fares. October 8, 2020 — 1 Comment. We are grateful for their dedicated operators and maintenance crews working to help protect riders. No children allowed on Van Distribution Center premises. Which fare is right for you? Aside from buses, all trips on the water taxi, First Hill Streetcar and Access paratransit program will be provided free of charge. King County Metro, officially the King County Metro Transit Department and often shortened to Metro, is the public transit authority of King County, Washington, which includes the city of Seattle.It is the eighth-largest transit bus agency in the United States, carrying an average of 395,000 passengers each weekday on 215 routes. The transit agency cited public health recommendations on social distancing as the key factor in its decision. SEATTLE - King County Metro will resume charging fares on Thursday, several months after fare collection was suspended due to coronavirus. Learn how Metro Transit employees are adapting to COVID-19 on the Rider's Almanac. Routes with fewer trips and/or reduced hours of operation: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 24, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 48, 49, 50, 55, 56, 57, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67, 70, 71, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 101, 102, 106, 107, 111, 113, 114, 116, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 128, 131, 132, 143, 148, 150, 153, 156, 157, 158, 159, 164, 166, 167, 168, 169, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 186, 187, 190, 192, 193, 197, 212, 214, 216, 217, 218, 219, 221, 225, 226, 230, 231, 232, 239, 240, 241, 245, 246, 249, 252, 250, 255, 257, 268, 269, 271, 301, 303, 304, 309, 311, 312, 316, 331, 342, 345, 346, 347, 348, 355, 372, 373, A Line, B Line, C Line, D Line, E Line, F Line, ST 522, ST 542, ST 545, ST 550, ST 554, ST 555, ST 556, 907, 913, 931, 952, Des Moines Community Shuttle (635). Can be purchased wherever ORCA cards are sold. Sound Transit will suspend fares on all transit modes and will implement temporary service reductions. Additionally, the following services and programs will not operate during Reduced Schedule (which goes into effect on Monday, March 23): At this time, the Access paratransit program will continue normal operations and will continue to follow its enhanced daily sanitization procedures. Water Taxi and its two shuttles, routes 773 and 775, will continue to operate on their winter schedule through at least April 20, 2020. King County Metro and Sound Transit announced Friday they will not collect fares and ask rides to enter and exit from the rear, when possible, to help protect drivers. A King County Metro bus driver, wearing a mask, waits for passengers to board his bus on Third Avenue between Union Street and University Street on April 2. "It is essential to keep this community on the move, and I thank all operators, mechanics, support staff, and riders who are helping us get through this together.". KONKOL COLUMN: A Facebook stranger's request for mom's famous sugar cookie recipe reminds why some Christmas traditions are worth skipping. ... (Snohomish County) and King County Metro in King County. In a blog post Thursday afternoon, Sound Transit announced its officers would no longer ask for proof of payment on buses and trains. But King County executive Dow Constantine wants to simplify Metro's fares. Saturday's changes will arrive two days before planned service reductions go into effect across most bus routes, following a steep drop-off in ridership in the days since public health officials directed Washingtonians to limit trips outside their houses as much as possible. King County Metro Service. KONKOL COLUMN: A Facebook stranger's request for mom's famous sugar cookie recipe reminds why some Christmas traditions are worth skipping. Along many high-use routes, Metro has added buses … ORCA card is not included in price. "No more zones, no more peak, no more off-peak. Metro suspended fares on March 21 due to COVID-19. On Thursday, the King County Council will dive deep into Metro's proposed budget. King County Metro said the main reason for stopping the upgrades to the Route 7 bus line — which currently connects the International District to Rainier Beach and would eventually become the RapidRide R Line — was “an unprecedented loss” in funding due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each agency will update its pages with current information. King County Metro Drops All Fares During Coronavirus Outbreak - Seattle, WA - Riders will not be required to pay for trips on all King County Metro services, starting Saturday, March 21, … King County Metro announced starting Monday, it would be using a reduced schedule for buses, meaning many lines will run less frequently … COVID-19 is spreading in King County. A King County Metro bus drives through Belltown, Monday, April 2, 2018. ‘This Unending Tragedy’: Nurse Spills Pain Of Lonely Death Watch, Mom's Cookie Recipe Brings Cheer To Sad Coronavirus Christmas, December 29 & 31 - Last Two Days for COVID-19 Antibody Testing, How To Have A Very Merry Safe Christmas In Washington, Inslee Extends Washington Eviction Moratorium Through March 2021, Washington Train Derailment: Fires Out, Clean Up Ongoing, Washington Homeowners: How To Clean Your Ducts And Vents, Washington Unemployment By County: How Each Region Is Faring. King County Metro to temporarily reduce transit services beginning Monday; driver tests positive for coronavirus Share By: KIRO 7 News Staff Updated: March 28, 2020 - 11:24 AM King County Metro Sound Transit and King County Metro announced they will temporarily reduce service on buses, light rail and Sounder commuter trains in the wake of drastically reduced ridership due to COVID … King County Halts Metro Fare Enforcement During COVID-19 Outbreak King County Metro says it has temporarily stopped all in-person fare enforcement while the region works to … As part of the latest changes, Metro is asking all riders to board and exit buses using the rear doors, to ensure access at the front for people with mobility needs. Public Health – Seattle & King County reported 44 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday afternoon, bringing the official case count in King County to 562. King County Metro will resume charging bus fares on Thursday, Oct. 1. (Ellen M. Banner / … Submitting an encouraging video to ryan.miller@metrotransit.org . Transit officials said fare enforcement officers will still be seen on buses and will "deliver safety support, assist customers and operators, and provide information or directions to those who need help finding resources.". Metro announced today that they will further reduce service as well on April 6 th. Here’s where they’re going. “We’re still evaluating the best time to reintroduce fares and haven’t yet landed on a date,” said spokesman Sean Hawks. October 15, 2020 — 0 Comments. Link Light Rail and Sounder trains are charging full fares. ... Sounder riders: Share your thoughts on proposal to lower discount fares; KING COUNTY, Wash. — A public transportation agency in Washington state says a second Metro bus driver has died from complications related to COVID-19. King County and Sound Transit offer new subsidized annual pass for riders in greatest need. "The value for the money can't be beat, especially compared to going to a local dealer" King County Metro's retired commuter vans are available to the general public for purchase. News Click here to learn more about the ways individuals can use online resources to contact Metro while customer service locations are closed. And Metro's employees successfully negotiated a new contract with pay increases right before Covid-19 hit. siouxland district health reported 51 new cases of covid-19 in woodbury county on wednesday (11,559 total) the two week overall average positive test rate dropped to … MITRE, a national nonprofit research organization, has released results of a study testing the efficacy of methods meant to reduce exhaled airborne particles, like those that cause COVID … Metro COVID cases climb as agency prepares to start collecting fares again Dug Begley July 9, 2020 Updated: July 10, 2020 3:21 p.m. Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest SEATTLE, WA — Fare enforcement inspections have ceased on all King County Metro buses amid a growing outbreak of the new coronavirus in Washington, officials announced Thursday. King County Metro said fares are still required and passengers are still expected to pay or tap their ORCA cards. 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