King County Metro increases bus routes

Cody Olsen Jun 16, 2025

Feb 6, 2018

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                <h1>King County Metro increases bus routes</h1>
                <h2><p>The public voted for it, and now it's time: King County Metro is increasing its bus service in Seattle. Last fall Seattle voted to bolster our sometimes-lacking bus system by 10 percent, paid for by hikes in the sales tax and vehicle licensing fees. KUOW reported that Metro</p></h2>
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               <p>By <a href="/author/codyolsen0-gmail-com/">Cody Olsen</a></p> 
              <p><time datetime="2025-02-04T05:00:00-08:00">Feb 6, 2018</time></p>
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            <p>The public voted for it, and now it's time: King County Metro is increasing its bus service in Seattle. Last fall Seattle voted to bolster our sometimes-lacking bus system by 10 percent, paid for by hikes in the sales tax and vehicle licensing fees. <a href="http://kuow.org/post/higher-bus-fares-hiring-spree-now-effect-king-county-metro?ref=cascadepbs.org">KUOW</a> reported that Metro is hiring 240 more drivers, some of whom will start in July, to help with overcrowded bus routes, and the rest will begin in September.</p><p>A 25 cent increase in bus fare also went into effect over the weekend. Buses are now accepting <a href="http://metro.kingcounty.gov/programs-projects/orca-lift/?ref=cascadepbs.org">ORCA LIFT cards</a>, offering a reduced fare to individuals who qualify under low-income guidelines.</p><p>Kevin Desmond, head of King County Metro, tells KUOW that finding bus drivers isn't an issue: "So every single day, five days a week, there are people coming down here, filling out applications." The challenge, he says, will be selecting and training drivers.</p>
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The public voted for it, and now it's time: King County Metro is increasing its bus service in Seattle. Last fall Seattle voted to bolster our sometimes-lacking bus system by 10 percent, paid for by hikes in the sales tax and vehicle licensing fees. KUOW reported that Metro is hiring 240 more drivers, some of whom will start in July, to help with overcrowded bus routes, and the rest will begin in September.

A 25 cent increase in bus fare also went into effect over the weekend. Buses are now accepting ORCA LIFT cards, offering a reduced fare to individuals who qualify under low-income guidelines.

Kevin Desmond, head of King County Metro, tells KUOW that finding bus drivers isn't an issue: "So every single day, five days a week, there are people coming down here, filling out applications." The challenge, he says, will be selecting and training drivers.

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