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Celebrate Ride Transit Month at 3 AM with Night Owl Service!

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Metro Bus Downtown at Night

Enjoy the longest day of the year and still catch a ride home on the bus!

 

Buses on 3rd Ave

 

Today, June 21 is the summer solstice (it’s the longest day of the year!), and we’re enjoying the 16 hours of daylight! But, when the sun sets and it’s time to head home, we’ve got you covered. We’ve partnered with King County Metro to bring you Night Owl bus service between midnight and 5 AM on 18 key bus routes in Seattle.

 

 

Long after the daylight fades, you will be able to ride some of the most popular bus routes in Seattle and to the airport, too. All Metro buses are accessible, equipped with accessible boarding ramps, and bicycle racks, too. Once you’re on board, enjoy a well-lit experience that takes the stress out of your trip.

 

 

Night Owl Icon

 

 

Celebrate the solstice and celebrate #RideTransit Month at any time of the day! Expanded Night Owl service in Seattle is provided thanks to Seattle voters through the Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD).

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Weekend Events + Transit Options

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Freemont Solstice Parade 2015

 

Transit options + a fun, sun-filled weekend = happy Seattlites.

 

We know traveling to event locations can prove tedious and frustrating. We have a few transit guide options to help navigate your journey. Because getting to where you need to go should be as easy as possible.

 

Freemont Fair: This 6 block party will host two stages of live music, hundreds of vendors, beer gardens, and delicious street food. Fair hours: Saturday, 10 AM – 8 PM, and Sunday, 11 AM – 6 PM. Estimated attendance: 30k. For ways to get to and from this major event, check out Waze or Google Maps.

 

Freemont Solstice Parade:  Join more than 60 community-based ensembles parading down the streets of Fremont with giant puppets, stilt walkers, floats,  dancers, and musicians. The parade ends with the Fremont Solstice Celebration at Gas Works Park. Parade hours: 1 – 5 PM. Estimated attendance: 22.5k. Plan your route with King County Trip Planner.

 

Mariners v. Orioles at T-Mobile Park: Root, root, root for the home team and be there for first pitch at 1:10 PM! Estimated attendance: 31k. For alternative methods of travel, check out Seattle Traffic.

 

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So many ways to access park and rides during #RideTransit Month!

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Northgate Park and Ride

Photo courtesy of King County Local Services.

 

Park and rides are facilities where people who have a long commute, don’t live near a transit route, or need a convenient place to catch transit can come to one place for their transit, carpool and vanpool, biking, and walking options. Scroll through the list of King County Metro park and ride locations, and learn about Sound Transit’s parking options.

 

While many people choose to park their cars at park and ride lots, did you know that there are so many other types of transportation to get to your park and ride?

 

Park and Ride Sign

Photo courtesy of King County Metro.

 

It’s true! If you’ve found that your park and ride lot is too full to park your car, check out our list of other ways to reach your park and ride.

 

Try taking Via to Transit or Ride2, on-demand shuttle services to transit hubs in Bellevue, southeast Seattle, and West Seattle.

 

Chau Dang, a driver with the Via to Transit shuttle service, parks a van. Photo courtesy of the Seattle Times.

Chau Dang, a driver with the Via to Transit shuttle service, parks a van. Photo courtesy of the Seattle Times.

 

Via to Transit is a convenient shuttle service to & from light rail stations in SE Seattle & Tukwila. Via to Transit lets you request on-demand shuttle vans to and from five Sound Transit Link stations: Mount Baker, Columbia City, Othello, Rainier Beach, and Tukwila International Boulevard. The service costs and works the same as transferring to or from a Metro bus with an ORCA card. Download the Via app or call 206-258-7739 to request a ride.

 

Ride2 provides on-demand rides to and from Metro buses at the Alaska Junction and Water Taxi at Seacrest Park in West Seattle, and the Eastgate Park & Ride in Bellevue! Standard Metro fares will apply for a one-way ride on Ride2 — meaning, if using an ORCA card, you will pay one fare and transfer to a Metro bus without any additional fare. Book a ride on-demand with the Ride2 Transit app or by calling 855-233-1880.

 

Drive a car share vehicle to Northgate Park and Ride.

 

Metro has designated parking spaces for car2go and ReachNow free-floating car share vehicles at the East Lot of Northgate Transit Center. Heading to catch a bus at Northgate? You can drive a car share vehicle and park in one of the stalls. Heading home? Reserve a car while you’re on the bus and just hop in when you arrive at Northgate to finish your trip.

 

Bike to a Park and Ride with your own bike or take bike share for a quick and easy ride!

 

Bike Locker at Northgate

 

Try taking two wheels instead of four to your park and ride. Biking reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves the health of our city!

 

Many park and ride lots have secure bike parking to provide a place for you to park your bike before hopping on transit. Search your park and ride’s webpage to learn more!

 

Take a bike share bike to a park and ride! It’s easy: just pick up the bikeshare bike closest to you, ride it to where you want to go, and leave the bike for the next person to ride. Bike share bikes can be parked in lots of locations (as long as they aren’t blocking access) – watch our video for helpful parking tips!

 

Check out the Northgate Park and Ride for a great option for biking to a park and ride.  It’s got bike lanes, bike lockers, and the convenience of riding transit into downtown.

 

Northgate Transit Center Map

 

The Northgate Transit Center East Park and Ride at 3 rd Ave NE not only has car parking stalls, but also has leased and on-demand bike lockers!  Plan your trip to and from the park and ride using our SDOT Bike Map – you’ll see that there are bike lanes on 5th Ave NE and Roosevelt Way NE to provide a safe and comfortable place for you to ride. Plan your route before you go and enjoy your trip!

 

How do you get to your park and ride? Share your story on social media and use #RideTransit!

 

Ride Transit Month

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Thank a Transit Driver & Attend a Transit Talk This Week!

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A bus driver waves from his seat at the front of the bus.

 

This week for Ride Transit Month, it’s Transit Operator Appreciation Week! Our bus, train, ferry, and streetcar operators get us safely where we need to go every day, through snowstorms and road closures.

This week, we want to say thanks to all the transit operators who keep our communities moving. Don’t forget to thank them today (and every day) on your commute!

 

Tag #RideTransit and win!

 

Streetcar in South Lake Union

 

There is another opportunity for you to win this week. Give a shoutout to your transit operator and win. Just tag #RideTransit, include your route number, and tell us what makes them special on Twitter or Facebook to be entered to win prizes!

🤳 BONUS: Snap a selfie with your favorite transit operator! 🤳

 

Join for the Transit Talk on Thursday, June 20!

 

Transit-Talk_-Re-defining-Safety-on-Transit-2

 

Join the next Transit Talk in the Ride Transit Month series. In this conversation we’ll discuss the new developments around fare enforcement on transit as well as how community members and transportation agencies can work together to build a narrative towards more inclusive spaces. Come early and enjoy a light catered meal by Sizzle and Crunch. Doors open at 5:30pm.

 

The talk will be held on Thursday, June 20, at 6:00 PM. It will be held at University Heights, Seattle, Washington near Metro bus routes 45, 49, 70, 74, 542.

 

Panelists:

  • Abel Pacheco, Seattle City Councilmember, District 4
  • Alison Eisinger, Executive Director, King County Coalition on Homelessness
  • Cathy Jimenez, Fare Enforcement Program Manager, King County Metro
  • Eli Steffen, Bus Driver, King County Metro
  • Rhonda Carter, Chief of Staff, Sound Transit

 

Moderator:

  • Laura Lee Sturm, Program Coordinator, U-District Let’s Go!

 

RSVP here!

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Take Transit to Trails This Weekend!

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Trailhead Direct Map

 

In case you missed it, Trailhead Direct is back and going strong in 2019!

 

Trailhead Direct is a seasonal transit service to popular hiking destinations in King County. During #RideTransit Month, this is an awesome opportunity to take transit not just to work or school, but to enjoy the great outdoors!

 

Get a lift from urban Seattle out to our amazing natural forests to the east with Trailhead Direct transit service.

 

 

Trailhead Direct now serves additional stops in Capitol Hill and downtown Seattle to take you to Mt Si. Or, if you prefer, you can still catch a ride out the Issaquah Alps from the Mount Baker Link light rail station. Either way, you will end up in a scenic (and cooler) wonderland for a day of hiking.

 

Not only does this program provide transit service on weekends and most holidays to popular hiking trails in the area, but it also eases vehicle congestion and reduces safety hazards.

 

 

Trailhead Direct is a pilot project in collaboration with our Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD), King County Metro, and King County Parks and REI.

 

For more information about Trailhead Direct, please visit the website.

 

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Calling All #Orcaheros!

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When the ORCA Card program named itself, it opened up some wonderful opportunities for puns and references. The best take? Transportation Choices Coalition and Washington Environmental Council’s new comic meant to raise awareness about protecting our waters: Be an #orcahero this #RideTransit Month.

 

What do orcas have to do with your morning commute?

 

Orca whale riding a bicycle

A lot, it turns out. TheTransportation Choices Coalition and Washington Environmental Council are trying to change that.

 

According to the organization, transportation is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to pollution in the Puget Sound. This happens primarily through stormwater runoff from streets.

 

And it’s not just about the orcas.

 

This pollution has a wide range of negative impacts on our ecosystems.

 

For example, that stormwater problem we mentioned earlier? It can kill salmon in a matter of hours, according to the Puget Soundkeeper.

 

During #ridetransitmonth, Transportation Choices Coalition and Washington Environmental Council are encouraging folks to give transit a try. Do it for the orcas. And salmon.

 

Comic panel describing stormwater and pollution

 

This is the first page of the orca comic. Click here to see the full comic, and do your part by pledging to ride transit this month!

 

Visit the Stormwater + Transportation webpage for more information.

 

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Join Us for Transit Trivia Night on Wednesday, June 12!

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Transit Trivia Night Graphic

 

In celebration of Ride Transit Month, Transportation Choices Coalition is hosting Transit Trivia on June 12 from 5:30 – 8:30 PM at Gamma Ray Lounge. Transit Trivia is a wonderful opportunity to get together with your friends and coworkers to compete against other transit aficionados for prizes and bragging rights.

 

Here’s all the deets you need to know about Transit Trivia Night.

 

A Rapid Ride bus at a bus stop

 

Win prizes, enjoy food and beverages, and meet fellow transit nerds! Trivia is $25 for a team (5 people) or $7 per person. Proceeds will support Transportation Choices Coalition connecting more people to opportunities through better transit options.

 

DATE & TIME

June 12, 2019, 5:30 – 8:30 PM

 

LOCATION

Gamma Ray Games, Seattle, Washington

 

TRANSIT OPTIONS

Near Metro routes 10, 11, 49, and Capitol Hill Link Light Rail station.

 

Register for the event here!

 

See you there!

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Ride Transit to Transit During #RideTransit Month and Beyond!

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RapidRide C Line in South Lake Union

 

#SeattleDidYouKnow: In West Seattle and SE Seattle, you have the option to take transit to transit!

 

If you’re taking transit to live, work, or play in West Seattle and southeast Seattle, you can now plan your commute with on-demand transit options tailored to your needs.

 

On-demand shuttle services, including Via to Transit and Ride 2, can connect you to and from transit hubs just using your ORCA Card!

 

Chau Dang, a driver with the Via to Transit shuttle service, parks a van. Photo courtesy of the Seattle Times.

Chau Dang, a driver with the Via to Transit shuttle service, parks a van. Photo courtesy of the Seattle Times.

 

These services are provided with funding from the Seattle Transportation Benefit District in partnership with King County Metro and Sound Transit. Check out your options below!

 

Ride2 in West Seattle

 

Ride2 Graphic for West Seattle

 

Ride2 provides on-demand rides to and from Metro buses at the Alaska Junction and the Water Taxi at Seacrest Park! Standard Metro fares will apply for a one-way ride on Ride2 — meaning, if using an ORCA card, you will pay one fare and transfer to a Metro bus without any additional fare.

 

Book a ride on-demand with the Ride2 Transit app or by calling 855-233-1880.

 

Via to Transit

 

Via to Transit

 

Via to Transit is a convenient shuttle service to & from light rail stations in SE Seattle & Tukwila. Via to Transit lets you request on-demand shuttle vans to and from five Sound Transit Link stations: Mount Baker, Columbia City, Othello, Rainier Beach, and Tukwila International Boulevard. The service costs and works the same as transferring to or from a Metro bus with an ORCA card.

 

Download the Via app or call 206-258-7739 to request a ride.

 

 

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🚍 It’s Rider Celebration Week for #RideTransit Month! 🚍

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Streetcar riders with prizes

We’re celebrating those who keep our transit system moving: YOU!

 

This week, for #RideTransit Month, we’re celebrating YOU, the riders who keep our transit system moving. This week, transit agencies across the state will be surprising riders with pop-up appreciation stations and you may just be lucky enough to find one! If you do, make sure you take a pic with one and post it online using the hashtag #RideTransit.  

 

Snap a selfie on transit and win!

Snap a selfie, share your transit stories, and win prizes! Just tag #RideTransit on Twitter to be entered to win.

 

Here’s what you need to do:

📷 Snap a selfie on transit.

🚍 Where does transit take you? Share your favorite destination!

🌱 Do you ride transit to reduce pollution? Read on the ride? Save money? Share why you #RideTransit.

❤️ Share a connection you’ve made on transit! Maybe it was a conversation with a stranger or meeting your soul mate.

 

 

Don’t miss out on more fun events!

 

Seattle Storm Logo

 

Check out the Ride Transit Month events page! Find a transit event near you.

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Let’s Celebrate! Commute Trip Reduction Champions Gather Under “Rapid Change, Great Opportunity”

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Sarah Spicer, CTR Program Lead, congratulates Kelly Essmeier and Alex Mathison from the Allen Institute on their award for Outstanding Employee Transportation Coordinators.

Sarah Spicer, CTR Program Lead, congratulates Kelly Essmeier and Alex Mathison from the Allen Institute on their award for Outstanding Employee Transportation Coordinators.

On June 5, together with Commute Seattle, we celebrated the efforts of employers participating in the city’s Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) program during the fifth annual Champions Celebration breakfast. This CTR program awards ceremony honors employers who demonstrate high engagement and innovative tactics in their transportation programs for employees.

 

We recognized six platinum-level employers – Fred Hutchinson, Seattle Children’s, Swedish Medical Center, The Polyclinic, University of Washington, and Washington State Ferries – whose programs exemplified best practices  and  provide a wide range of commute tools and resources to employees.

 

This year’s event was themed “Rapid Change, Great Opportunity” to celebrate Seattle employers who have made significant investments in commuter benefits and programming during the Seattle Squeeze, a time of monumental transportation challenges to reduce single occupancy trips.

 

Ann Sutphin, SDOT’s Transportation Options team lead, chats with an event guest.

Ann Sutphin, SDOT’s Transportation Options team lead, chats with an event guest.

 

Attendees at this year’s CTR Champions breakfast network and share ideas before the event.

Attendees at this year’s CTR Champions breakfast network and share ideas before the event.

 

An Employee Transportation Coordinator talks to a representative from Commute Seattle. Thank you to Commute Seattle for its support in the City’s CTR program administration, and for organizing this event!

An Employee Transportation Coordinator talks to a representative from Commute Seattle. Thank you to Commute Seattle for its support in the City’s CTR program administration, and for organizing this event!

 

CTR Champions go above and beyond to reduce the number of drive-alone trips taken by their employees.

 

Commute Seattle’s Executive Director, Kevin Futhey, speaks with Employee Transportation Coordinators Melanie Truhn, Jennifer Poole, Jamie Cheney, and Robin Blacksmith as part of an employer showcase panel discussion.

Commute Seattle’s Executive Director, Kevin Futhey, speaks with Employee Transportation Coordinators Melanie Truhn, Jennifer Poole, Jamie Cheney, and Robin Blacksmith as part of an employer showcase panel discussion.

 

They create work environments and offer accompanying benefits that make it easier for their employees to reshape their commutes, such as joining an ORCA Business program, offering tax benefits and transit subsidies, providing employees telework or compressed work week options, and encouraging and facilitating walk and bike commutes. This year, we recognized 89 out of the nearly 300 CTR-affected employers in Seattle for their efforts to provide their employees with great transportation options.

 

“Rapid Change, Great Opportunity”: making the most of the #SeattleSqueeze.

 

Our Director, Sam Zimbabwe, giving the keynote address at the CTR Champions Breakfast on June 5.

Our Director, Sam Zimbabwe, giving the keynote address at the CTR Champions Breakfast on June 5.

 

As part of the Seattle Squeeze, 2019 has so far brought us a historic 3-week SR-99 closure; a new tunnel spanning the length of downtown; changing traffic patterns; and a major transit service change with buses ceasing operations in the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel … and it’s only June!

 

With rapid change comes great opportunity. Seattle’s CTR companies have been leading the way to encourage informed and flexible travel choices that adapt to the ongoing changes in our transportation network. We recognize and appreciate this partnership and commitment, and we ask our employers to continue the great work.

 

“There are so many different travel choices and ways to give employees flexibility to reduce the impact of drive-alone traffic and keep our transportation system running smoothly for everyone.”

Sam Zimbabwe, Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation

 

Your company could be a Champion next year – get in touch with Commute Seattle to learn more!

 

This year’s CTR Champions event was a full house! Attendees enjoyed breakfast at the Grand Hyatt hotel in downtown Seattle.

This year’s CTR Champions event was a full house! Attendees enjoyed breakfast at the Grand Hyatt hotel in downtown Seattle.

 

Seattle’s CTR program is a public-private partnership connecting large employers to resources and tools that support the use of commute options that keep businesses moving. The CTR law requires large employers (100+ employees who travel at peak hours) to mitigate the traffic impacts of their business by working to reduce driving while reporting their results each year.

 

Through education, advocacy, training, and consulting, Commute Seattle is helping create a transit-supportive business culture to ensure that commuters enjoy world-class commuter benefits and amenities. SDOT is proud to partner with the hard-working team at Commute Seattle, who engage with employers citywide to help them meet and exceed their CTR program goals. During the Seattle Squeeze, Commute Seattle continues to offer free consultations to businesses of any size. Learn more at commuteseattle.com!

 

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