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
Help Improve The Transit Experience
Do you want better ways to communicate with your local transit agency? The Transportation Research Board (TRB) is sponsoring a study to explore the use of web-based feedback to improve transit service. As part of the study, researchers are interested in understanding...
Cuts Hurt: Alex and Nathan
This the first post in a series about how bus cuts will affect people in King County. Alex Rouse is graduate student and Seattle sports fan who uses King County Metro as her primary form of transportation. Here is what she had to say about what the bus means to her...
Ridership Is Increasing, And We’re Doing *WHAT* To Bus Service
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) today released a report showing that Americans took 10.7 billion trips on public transportation last year -- the highest annual public transit ridership number in 57 years! And, yes, population has increased over...
2040: A Transportation Odyssey
Want to influence regional transportation policy? Now is the time to speak up. Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) is currently soliciting comments on their update to the Transportation 2040 plan. Transportation 2040 is an “action plan for transportation in the...
Hundreds Urge KC Council To Stop Bus Cuts
Last night, hundreds of citizens attended the King County Council’s public hearing about Executive Dow Constantine’s proposal to save Metro service. Labor, business, and environmental leaders—along with dozens of regular riders—urged the council to keep our county...
Show Up For Transit!
King County is moving ahead with its local strategy to prevent devastating Metro bus cuts. But before there can be a ballot measure to save service, the King County Council needs to form a Transportation Benefit District. The council is holding a public hearing to...
A Low Income Fare For KC Metro Moves Forward
Six months after the members of the Low‐Income Fare Options Advisory Committee presented their final recommendations to King County Executive Dow Constantine and the King County Council, the Executive's office delivered a like-minded proposal to the Council for...
A Clear Path To Saving Service
It's finally here: our chance to stop Metro bus cuts. We've been working for years to pass a state transportation package that saves transit service and makes it safer to walk, bike, and drive. And while the state hasn't stepped up yet, our county leaders have...
Lawmakers Return To Olympia
Today starts a 60 day legislative session. It is an election year, and everyone is focused on getting out of Olympia in 60 days. Don’t expect any special sessions this time. In fact, don’t expect much to come out of the legislature. The Majority Coalition Caucus that...
Not Our Vision – Act Now
Most Washingtonians agree: we want to spend less time in traffic and more time with our families. In fact, a Washington Transportation Commission survey was just released that shows that 60% of voters were willing to support increased taxes/fees to address important...
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