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
Moving Towards a Fairer Fare Enforcement System
Photo of fare enforcement on RapidRide, courtesy of Bruce Englehardt/Seattle Transit Blog, used with permission. The past year has been one of operational and policy changes for transit in the Puget Sound region, many of which have touched how people pay fares...
Dispatch from Olympia: Block the Box Is Back!
What happened last week: Budget season. It’s budget season in Olympia and the House and Senate passed their 2019-2021 biennium transportation budget proposals out of their respective chambers last week and started negotiations on Friday. The two budget proposals are...
Dispatch from Olympia: We Won’t Stop
What happened last week: We’re working hard to bring the Block the Box legislation back. After HB 1793 didn’t make it out of its house of origin, we worked hard this week to pass the legislation through a budget proviso supported by Senator Nguyen and Senate Saldana....
What Happens When Voters Say No
The election to save King County Metro is just 21 days away. Pierce Transit has been held up as an example by opponents of Proposition 1. Its funny, I'll bet these transit haters have not been to Tacoma lately. I happen to live and do a lot of our work in Pierce...
Dispatch from Olympia: Transportation Budget Released
What happened last week: Last week, legislators considered bills that made it to their chamber. On Tuesday, TCC testified in support of HB 1110, the Low Carbon Fuel Standard bill. The bill passed out of the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy, and Technology with...
Metro Bus Changes and Seattle Tunnel Turns Light Rail Only This Saturday, March 23
Starting this Saturday, March 23, all bus routes will move out of the tunnel and on to city streets to help with the Washington State Convention Center construction and make way for an expanded Link light rail system. Here’s what to expect: All-door boarding and new...
Video: 10 Years of Link Light Rail. 10 Years of Connecting Community
On March 14th, Transportation Choices hosted a Transit Talk panel discussion 10 Years of Link Light Rail. 10 Years of Connecting Community. Our expert panel examined the history of light rail in the Puget Sound region, explored successes and lessons learned, and...
Regional Transit Integration: Lessons from Germany for the Central Puget Sound Region
Transit agencies in the central Puget Sound region are striving to create a seamless, easy-to-use system thatprovides equitable and convenient access for residents and visitors no matter where they want to go. Thisrequires the transit agencies to continually work on...
Dispatch from Olympia: ‘Block the Box Bill’ Didn’t Make the Cut
What happened last week: Despite a groundswell of advocacy, House Bill 1793 did not make it off the House floor before cutoff at 5 pm on Wednesday. We are disappointed HB 1793 isn't moving forward this year, but we feel the groundwork has been laid to win next year,...
Dispatch from Olympia: ‘Block the Box’ Bill Needs your Support
What happened last week: Another week has passed and still no action on any Sound Transit-related bills. It is still possible a solution that includes both a change to the MVET schedule and full and timely funding for all projects will come forward. For now, however,...
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