"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.". If the cost of your trip is more than $3.50 adult or $1.75 RRFP, youth or ORCA LIFT, pay the difference with E-purse stored on the ORCA card. 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. Fares are $2.75 for an adult and $1.50 for youth. Dropping fares is one of several changes to Metro’s operations in response to the COVID-19 crisis. COVID-19 is spreading in King County. 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. And Metro's employees successfully negotiated a new contract with pay increases right before Covid-19 hit. 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 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 … KONKOL COLUMN: A Facebook stranger's request for mom's famous sugar cookie recipe reminds why some Christmas traditions are worth skipping. Inventory includes 7, 12 and 15 passenger vans and 5 passenger Nissan Leafs. Washington's most populous county remains the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States, with 270 confirmed cases and 27 deaths linked to the virus. "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. Link Light Rail and Sounder trains are charging full fares. 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. “We’re still evaluating the best time to reintroduce fares and haven’t yet landed on a date,” said spokesman Sean Hawks. 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. San Antonio, surrounding areas are getting thousands of COVID-19 vaccines this week. Each agency will update its pages with current information. (Ellen M. Banner / … 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 noted earlier this week that bus ridership is down 72%. King County Metro said fares are still required and passengers are still expected to pay or tap their ORCA cards. A King County Metro bus drives through Belltown, Monday, April 2, 2018. Here’s where they’re going. 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. Click here to learn more about the ways individuals can use online resources to contact Metro while customer service locations are closed. 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). 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. 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 … In addition, 10 new deaths are reported, bringing the total of confirmed deaths in King County to 56 through Tuesday, March 17. ... Sounder riders: Share your thoughts on proposal to lower discount fares; Submitting an encouraging video to ryan.miller@metrotransit.org . 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. We are grateful for their dedicated operators and maintenance crews working to help protect riders. Metro announced today that they will further reduce service as well on April 6 th. 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 … News. On a bus, additional fare can also be paid with cash. ‘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. 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. northwest. 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.". 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. All Sound Transit Express bus service, including those operated by Metro, have already resumed collecting fares - a $3.25 flat fare. In a blog post Thursday afternoon, Sound Transit announced its officers would no longer ask for proof of payment on buses and trains. Metro suspended fares on March 21 to protect passengers and operators from the potential spread of COVID-19. King County Metro will resume charging bus fares on Thursday, Oct. 1. 1 of 22. 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 Can be purchased wherever ORCA cards are sold. "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. Metro is working with King County, the King County Sheriff’s Office, cities, and community stakeholders on alternatives to fare enforcement in the future. Metro suspended fares on March 21 due to COVID-19. Full details on route changes, beginning Monday, March 23, from King County Metro: Routes without changes: 22, 105, 118, 119, 154. Sending a card to any Metro Transit bus garage or light rail facility (find addresses here) Sharing your appreciation on social media using #InThisTogether. Public Health – Seattle & King County reported 44 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday afternoon, bringing the official case count in King County to 562. KONKOL COLUMN: A Facebook stranger's request for mom's famous sugar cookie recipe reminds why some Christmas traditions are worth skipping. 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. With significantly lower ridership during the COVID-19 epidemic, Metro reduced service on most routes on March 23 rd. Which fare is right for you? Metro said ridership on Wednesday was down 60 percent compared to the same timeframe last year, with approximately 250,000 fewer passengers. ‘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 transit agency cited public health recommendations on social distancing as the key factor in its decision. 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 has not yet said when it plans to charge fares. 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