Adult fares are changing Sept. 1, 2025, on King County Metro buses, Metro Flex, both Seattle Streetcar lines and both King County Water Taxi routes. ORCA LIFT fares on both Water Taxi routes are also changing. Reduced fare rates for Senior, Disabled, Youth, and ORCA LIFT riders will remain unchanged everywhere else.
The new adult $3 fare brings the price of riding Metro buses, Metro Flex and Seattle Streetcar in alignment with Sound Transit’s flat fare on Link light rail and Express buses. The Metro Vanpool/Transit pass will increase from $99 to $108 to account for this new fare on regular transit service.
This is Metro’s first adult bus fare increase since establishing a flat fare in 2018. Metro’s fare policies support equitable access to transit, our revenue targets and regional coordination. Periodic review of fares is a regular part of Metro’s budget planning process.
| Transit mode | Passenger type | Current fare | NEW fare Sept. 1, 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro bus Metro Flex | Adult | $2.75 | $3 | +$0.25 |
| West Seattle Water Taxi | Adult ORCA | $5 | $5.25 | +$0.25 |
| Adult Cash | $5.75 | $6.25 | +$0.50 | |
| ORCA LIFT | $3.75 | $1 | -$2.75 | |
| Vashon Water Taxi | Adult ORCA | $5.75 | $6 | +$0.25 |
| Adult Cash | $6.75 | $7 | +$0.25 | |
| ORCA LIFT | $4.50 | $1 | -$3.50 | |
| Seattle Streetcars | Adult | $2.25 | $3 | +$0.75 |
| Metro Monthly Vanpool/Transit pass | Adult | $99 | $108 | +$9 |
How riders can prepare for the fare change
Riders are encouraged to review the fare changes prior to Sept. 1. Here are some tips to help you get ready.
- Purchasing a monthly PugetPass? You’ll want to adjust the amount selected for your next purchase and update the autoload settings for your ORCA card at myORCA.com. See more details below.
- Pay with ORCA E-purse? Consider updating your autoload amounts prior to Sept. 1.
- Reduced fares are available for riders with lower incomes, and for seniors and riders with disabilities. Please visit Metro’s Reduced Fare webpage to learn more about these programs and take a quick, five-question quiz to determine which fare may be right for you. Youth 18 and younger ride free and are encouraged to get a free Youth ORCA card (also known as a Free Youth Transit Pass).
- Have questions? Metro customer service is available to answer fare-related questions weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 206-553-3000.
Monthly PugetPass details
- Metro bus, Metro Flex and Streetcar: If you have an Adult ORCA card and typically autoload the $2.25 or $2.75 PugetPass, you will need to update your autoload to the $3.00 PugetPass before Sept. 1, 2025 to cover the new $3 adult fare.
- King County Water Taxi: Adult and ORCA LIFT card holders may need to load a new pass and adjust their autoload.
- In preparation for the water taxi fare changes, ORCA will introduce a new $6 PugetPass on Aug. 1,2025. If you have loaded the $5.75 PugetPass to your Adult ORCA card to ride the Vashon Water Taxi in the past, be sure to purchase the $6.00 PugetPass for September to cover the new fare. Passes go on sale starting Aug. 15 at most sale locations.
- If you have an ORCA LIFT card and typical autoload the $3.75 or $4.50 PugetPass, you will need to update your autoload to the $1.00 PugetPass before Sept 1, 2025. You’ll save $99 or $126 each month!
Reduced fares available for riders
Because the freedom to move is a human right, Metro offers reduced fares and fares at no cost to you to ensure everyone can take transit. Please visit Metro’s Reduced Fare webpage to learn more about these programs and take a quick, five-question quiz to determine which fare may be right for you.
- People with lower incomes can get an ORCA LIFT card, which allows you to take Metro bus, Metro Flex, Streetcar and Water Taxi services for $1.
- People with disabilities and seniors 65 years or older are similarly able to ride a Metro bus for $1 with a Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) ORCA card.
- All youth age 18 and younger can ride at no cost and are encouraged to get a free Youth ORCA card (Free Youth Transit Pass).
- Additionally, riders with the lowest incomes who are enrolled in certain government programs can ride at no cost with the Subsidized Annual Pass.
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