Rider Tools
Commute Calculator
Have you ever wondered what your commute really costs?
Find out with our quick and easy commute calculator! Just enter a few details about your trip and let our calculator do its thing. You might be surprised by the cost of your ride!
What would it cost you to pick another method?
| Method | Monthly Cost |
| Walking | $0 |
|
Biking |
$25 |
|
Transit ORCA PugetPass allows access to Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro Transit, King County Water Taxi, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Seattle Streetcar, and Sound Transit) |
$80 |
|
Vanpool for 6 passengers commuting 25 miles roundtrip in King County |
$81 |
Reasons Why
Want a good reason to take the bus, ride your bike, catch a train, or walk? We have plenty! From saving money to saving the planet, these transportation options can help.
Be Green
- Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Washington State, averaging around 50% for the last several years.
- Seventy percent of cancers caused by airborne pollutants come from diesel exhaust.
- At least 14 million pounds of toxic chemicals flow into Puget Sound every year including motor oil spill, drop, or runoff from paved-over areas.
- In Washington, driving accounts for almost 60% of air pollution.
- Each light rail train can carry 200 people in the space of 3 moving cars.
Save Time
- Work, read, or even nap on bus or train.
- Biking, walking, or taking transit avoids wasted time finding parking, dealing with parking tickets, or being towed.
- Trains and streetcars ar the safest and most reliable forms of transportation during inclement weather.
Be More Active
- One in three Washingtonians doesn’t get enough physical activity. .
- Walking and biking are good exercise and good for your health. They burn calories, build muscle tissue, strengthen the cardiovascular system and help control weight.
- People who take the bus or train are more likely to get their 30 minutes of recommended physical activity each day.
- 3.6 million americans 65 or older stay at home and are less mobile because they lack transportation options.
Be Safe
- In the US, riding a train is 20-30 times safer than driving, and riding the bus is about 60 times safer.
- Walking or biking is about 4 times safer than driving.
- Air pollution from cars has been linked with childhood asthma and stunted lung growth, along with cancer and other health impacts.
Save Money
- Transportation is the second largest household expense, only behind housing.
- Households that live further away from transit spend more than 45% of their budget on housing and transportation costs than households that have transit access.
- The percentage of a family’s income that is spent on transportation is highest for the lowest income earners: 8.2% for high-income and 15.7% for low-income.
- The annual economic impact of car crashes in the US is $277 billlion.
Transportation Resources by County
Select a County
King
Pacific
Whatcom
Skagit
Kitsap
Jefferson
Mason
Grays Harbor
Thurston
Wahkiakum
Cowlitz
Lewis
Clark
Skamania
Okanogan
Chelan
Walla Walla
Spokane
Pend Oreille
Stevens
Ferry
Lincoln
Adams
Franklin
Benton
Grant
Yakima
King (6)
Pacific (1)
Whatcom (1)
Skagit (1)
Snohomish (3)
Pierce (2)
Kitsap (1)
King (2)
Clallam (2)
Jefferson (1)
Mason (1)
Grays Harbor (1)
Thurston (1)
Wahkiakum (1)
Cowlitz (1)
Lewis (1)
Clark (1)
Skamania (1)
Okanogan (1)
Chelan (1)
Kittitas (2)
Asotin (1)
Columbia (1)
Walla Walla (1)
Whitman (2)
Spokane (1)
Pend Oreille (1)
Stevens (1)
Ferry (1)
Lincoln (1)
Adams (1)
Franklin (1)
Benton (1)
Grant (1)
Yakima (1)
Ways to Explore Washington State
You don’t need a car to explore the state! You can get from Seattle to the coast by taking public transportation. Here are some testimonials from people who’ve tried it and resources for you to start your own adventure.
News & Updates
Why Transportation Equity is Health Equity
Transportation is at the intersection of so many important issues – and is in fact a hugely important factor in public health. So much so that recently, public health researchers are starting to look at transportation insecurity, modeled after the Food Security Index,...
March 2023 Newsletter
This has been a month of ups and downs. Despite a noble effort by our coalition, our Free to Walk WA bill to end jaywalking died in the legislature. While we’re disappointed, we’re proud of how far our priorities made it this session and continue to be hopeful for...
Olympia Dispatch – Cutoff Soon + Budgets Released Soon – Week of March 27, 2023
This week is another round of cutoffs. Bills that are still alive need to be voted out of their respective Policy Committees by Wednesday, March 29th, or Fiscal Committees by next Tuesday, April 4th. Therefore, we have an immediate ask for SB 5466, Promoting...
Olympia Dispatch – Opposite House: Hearings and Bill Updates – Week of March 20, 2023
The second half of the legislative session is in full swing. Bills that are still alive need to be voted out of their respective Policy Committees by March 29th or Fiscal Committees by April 4th.We are also entering the budget announcement season. The House will...
Olympia Dispatch – Bills That Didn’t Make Cutoff – Week of March 13, 2023
Last Wednesday was the House of Origin cutoff. Despite our best efforts, we are disappointed to report a lot of bills we supported did not make it.SB 5383 - Concerning pedestrians crossing and moving along roadwaysHB 1513 - Improving traffic safetyHB 1582 -...
Olympia Dispatch – House of Origin Cutoff – Week of March 6, 2023
With the House of Origin cut off a few days away, this is a crucial period in the legislative session. Bills need to be pulled from Rules Committees onto the floors of their respective chambers for amendments and a full vote by Wednesday, March 8th.What's coming upTwo...
Olympia Dispatch – First Week of Floor Action – Week of February 27, 2023
Last Friday was a major milestone at the legislature. To keep bills active, they needed to have passed out of fiscal (i.e. Transportation, Appropriations, or Ways and Means) committees. Thanks to your continued advocacy, all but one of our priority bills (Road Usage...
Annual Report 2022
Annual Report 2022 A note from our Executive Director In 2022 Transportation Choices won historic and transformational investments for transit and multimodal transportation across Washington. The Move Ahead Washington transportation package was the culmination...
Olympia Dispatch – RUC + Fiscal Cutoff Soon – Week of Feb. 23, 2023
The first legislative session cut-off was last week for most bills to get out of committee (except for Transportation, Appropriation, and Ways & Means, which have cut-offs this Friday). That means bills need to pass out of said committees to still be considered...
February 2023 Newsletter
We’re at a pivotal moment in this legislative session. Last week, we had a slew of hearings and executive sessions on our priority bills, and all bills faced the cut-off deadline to be voted out of their Committees. All but one of our bills (the road usage charge)...
Stay Connected!
Sign up for our newsletter and stay up to date on the latest transit, walking, and biking news in Washington State.
