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
Missed Opportunity: Transit And Jobs
This is a guest post by Hester Serebrin who will be occasionally writing for Choice Words. “It is not enough to create jobs if we can’t get people to them. As is, commuting has become a heroic act.” – Brookings Institution Vice President and Director of Metropolitan...
Transit Trivia Night Puts The “Fun” In Fundraiser
Think you know a lot about transit? Get ready to bring it at our first ever Transit Trivia Night. Test your smarts against the likes of legislators, city councilmembers, transit bloggers, and even bus drivers. Teams will compete for bragging rights and cool,...
The Future Of HUD Sustainable Communities
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Sustainable Communities Initiative has helped communities in Washington State create jobs, become more economically viable and create housing and transportation options. We can't have transit systems that work for...
State Legislature Leaves Transit Riders Stranded
The latest news from Olympia is not good. Here's an excerpt from today's Transportation for Washington press release. "The special session came to a close yesterday without any action taken to address the local transportation funding crisis in Washington State. In a...
Demystifying The State Transportation Budget
Demystifying the State’s Supplemental Transportation Budget Transportation funding is not an easy thing to track and analyze. Transportation is funded at the federal, state, regional and local level, out of hundreds of different programs and accounts, which makes it...
T4WA Submits Letters To Support Local Options
Nearly 100 organizations and public officials show support for long-term transit funding bill waiting for legislative action Strong and varied support for more transportation funding choices for local governments and transit for Washington residents OLYMPIA, WA...
Legislative Sessions Results (So Far)
The special session is already well underway, as budget negotiators try to find a deal on the operating and capital budget. The transportation budget and a transportation fee bill passed in the final hours of the regular session, but a very important bill to give...
Big Win For Pierce County Bus Riders
The map passed! Three years ago, around the time I started at Transportation Choices, I was sitting around a coffee table with transit advocates like Chris Karnes of Tacoma Tomorrow discussing the future of transit service in Pierce County. The recession was in full...
One Last Vote For Transit
The state legislature is mere hours away from passing a local options bill that will put transit and local governments on better financial ground -- helping to save, restore, and expand service across the state. This bill will give local governments and transit...
House Dems Stand Up For Transit
Yesterday the Senate decided to not concur with the House versions of two important bills, ESSB 6455 and ESSB 6582. These two bills are crucial to the future of transit funding and service in Washington State. One of them would provide more local options to cities,...
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