As a bustling city known for its iconic Space Needle, vibrant music scene, and rich technological landscape, Seattle stands out as a cultural and economic hub in the Pacific Northwest. Given Seattle’s unique urban setting, flanked by water and mountains, efficient, sustainable transportation is especially important. Luckily for residents, commuters, and tourists, though, Seattle offers a broad range of these transportation options. The King County Metro, along with Sound Transit’s light rail and buses, form the backbone of public transportation, efficiently connecting the city center with the broader metropolitan area. Additionally, Seattle offers a multitude of bikeshare and scooter share options that compliment the cities’ notable bikeability well. For more scenic travelers, various ferries and trams are also available. Lastly, options such as Uber and Lyft also play an essential role, offering flexible travel solutions without the need to own a personal vehicle.
This guide explores the convenient commuting and travel options available in Seattle, as highlighted on real-time digital transit screens like Actionfigure® Screen. Actionfigure Screen first launched in Seattle in 2015 with TransitScreen displays in Seattle Municipal Tower, in partnership with Seattle DOT (SDOT). A study at Seattle Children’s Hospital showed that employees strongly prefer to wait in comfortable locations (like a lobby) and use Actionfigure Screen to meet their bus, rather than waiting on the street in a bus shelter (or worse, exposed to the weather).
Learn more about the diverse transportation modes in Seattle below!
King County Metro (Metro)
Metro, formally known as the King County Metro, is the public transit authority of King County, and the largest bus service in Seattle. It operates an extensive network of over 7,000 bus stations, Seattle with West Seattle and Vashon Island. Known for its commitment to sustainability, King County Metro has also been a pioneer in adopting hybrid and electric buses to reduce emissions and improve air quality. Through its continuous efforts to expand and improve services, King County Metro plays a vital role in supporting Seattle’s transportation growth.
Actionfigure Screen brings real-time transit information to Seattle’s residents and visitors, offering updates on King County Metro’s vast network of buses. Whether commuting to work, exploring the city’s vibrant neighborhoods, or attending a Seahawks game, King County Metro provides a reliable transportation option throughout Seattle and the surrounding King County area. With detailed schedules and departure times on transit displays like Actionfigure Screen, travelers can make the most of Seattle’s Metro for a smooth and efficient journey.
Sound Transit
Sound Transit is a key public transportation provider in the Puget Sound region, serving King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties in Washington State. The agency offers an array of transit services, including express buses, light rails, and commuter trains, designed to connect major urban areas like Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Everett, and the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. By integrating these services, Sound Transit aims to facilitate easy and efficient travel across the region, catering to the needs of daily commuters, local residents, and visitors alike.
Actionfigure Screen provides real-time, critical travel information across Sound Transit’s transit options in the Puget Sound region. With live updates on arrivals and departures for the Link Light Rail, Sounder commuter rail, and Sound Transit express bus, Actionfigure allows commuters to optimize their travels.
Link Light Rail
The Sound Transit Link light rail system serves the Seattle metropolitan area through two distinct lines, providing a vital connection between key locations like the University of Washington and the SeaTac airport. The 1 Line offers a route that spans from the University District in Seattle to Angle Lake near SeaTac Airport, covering a wide range of neighborhoods including Capitol Hill and Rainier Valley. On the other hand, the T Line operates in central Tacoma, offering a shorter route designed to connect various parts of the city.
Oran Viriyincy, IMAGE: Link Light Rail’s 1 line traveling near Northgate Station
Sounder Commuter Rail
The Sounder commuter rail, provides weekday peak-hour service connecting Seattle with Everett to the north and Lakewood to the south. With two lines covering 81.8 miles and 12 stations, the Sounder commuter rail supports the region’s commuting needs, offering a reliable alternative to road traffic and enhancing connectivity across key urban and suburban locations.
Sound Transit Express Bus
The Sound Transit Express bus service offers a speedy link across the Puget Sound region, connecting communities within King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. With routes that travel longer distances on transit-only lanes, Sound Transit Express Buses ensures a more reliable and less congested travel experience.
More Bus Options
In addition to the King County Metro and Sound Transit Express Bus, Seattle offers a variety of bus lines that connect commuters from various parts of Washington to Seattle.
Actionfigure Screen provides real-time information on multiple bus options in the Seattle area, including Community Transit, the Dungeness Line, Intercity Transit, Pierce Transit, Kitsap Transit, Whatcom Transportation Authority, and Skagit Transit.
Community Transit
Community Transit serves as the public transit authority for Snohomish County, Washington, excluding Everett. It offers both local bus services and commuter buses to Downtown Seattle and Northgate station.
Dungeness Line
The Dungeness Line, operated by Greyhound Lines, offers two daily trips from Port Angeles through Sequim, Discovery Bay, Port Townsend, and Kingston to Edmonds, downtown Seattle, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. For travelers looking for an experience, the line includes scenic rides on luxury coaches with amenities like free Wi-Fi and a ferry ride between Edmonds and Kingston.
Intercity Transit
Intercity Transit operates as the main public transit agency for Thurston County, Washington, serving areas such as Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and Yelm. It provides local bus services and express commuter routes to surrounding areas.
Pierce Transit
Pierce Transit is the primary public transit provider for Pierce County, Washington, covering cities like Tacoma, Lakewood, and Puyallup within its 292-square-mile service area. It delivers local and express bus services, along with specialized SHUTTLE transportation for disabled passengers, connecting residents to key destinations across Pierce county.
Kitsap Transit
Kitsap Transit operates as the public transportation provider for Kitsap County, Washington, offering an extensive network of routed buses that connect Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo, Kingston, Suquamish, Silverdale, Bremerton, and Port Orchard. These buses run on a fixed schedule and route, facilitating smooth transfers to local foot ferries, the Kitsap Fast Ferries, and Washington State Ferries.
Whatcom Transportation Authority
The Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) provides bus services on 31 fixed routes in areas in and around Whatcom County, Washington in northwestern Washington. For those living in and around these areas, WTA offers connectivity across major destinations like Bellingham, Western Washington University, Downtown, and more.
Skagit Transit
Skagit Transit provides essential bus services across approximately 750 square miles of Skagit County, including Mount Vernon, Burlington, Anacortes, La Conner, Sedro-Woolley, Lyman, Hamilton, and Concrete. Today, Skagit Transit has expanded its offerings to include 17 fixed bus routes, paratransit services, and over 45 vanpool groups.
Tram Services
Seattle also offers unique tram services that span across the city. Though known as iconic tourist attractions, the Seattle Center Monorail and Seattle Streetcar system are viable transportations as well.
Actionfigure Screen displays live arrivals and departures for Seattle’s iconic tram options, allowing tourists and natives to effectively navigate through the city.
Seattle Monorail
The Seattle Center Monorail, an iconic part of the city’s landscape, connects Seattle Center to Westlake Center in Downtown Seattle, covering a 0.9-mile stretch. This elevated monorail line, operational since 1962, serves both as a tourist attraction and a functional transit option, with trains running every ten minutes.
Seattle Streetcar
The Seattle Streetcar system comprises two modern lines: the South Lake Union and First Hill lines. These unconnected lines feature frequent services arriving every 10–15 minutes for most of the day. By connecting to multiple bus services and the Link light rail, the streetcar system provides efficient urban transit across key neighborhoods in Seattle.
Ferry Services
Seattle’s network ferry services connect the city to surrounding islands and peninsulas across its extensive waterways, traffic-free. The Washington State Department of Transportation notably operates the largest ferry fleet in the United States, with 21 ferries carrying nearly 20 million annual passengers. These ferries, along with other entities like King County Metro Water Taxi and Kitsap Fast Ferries, offer residents and visitors a picturesque and efficient mode of travel across Puget Sound.
Actionfigure Screen provides current information on ferry schedules from WSDOT and private operators. With this real-time data, travelers can easily plan their journeys, enhancing their experience of traversing Seattle’s scenic waterways.
Visitsanjuans.com, Image: WSDOT Ferry traveling to the San Juan Islands
Bikeshare Programs
Seattle’s bike share scene is expansive, featuring options from Lime, Bird, and VeoRide. These services offer electric bicycles for rent, catering to commuters, explorers, or anyone looking to enjoy a ride through the city.
Actionfigure Screen delivers up-to-the-minute details on bike share availability and station locations in Seattle. With this vital information, cyclists can quickly find and rent bikes nearby, seamlessly integrating bikeshare into their travel plans.
Scooter-Sharing Programs
Seattle has recently adopted scooter-sharing programs with millions of annual riders as well. With their easy mobile app rentals, these programs, including Lime, Bird, and Link, are popular with locals and tourists. For those looking for a quick, fun way to travel Seattle, these electric scooters are your go-to option.
Actionfigure Screen provides real-time information on Seattle’s scooter-sharing services, including where you can find scooters and how many are available. With these transportation information displays, riders can quickly locate a scooter nearby and explore Seattle in an exciting new way.
Rideshare Services
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have changed how people get around cities. With a tap of a button, users can easily hail a ride to get to their respective destinations. Now, Uber even offers shared rides in Seattle, which are an even cheaper and greener option.
Actionfigure Screen shows live updates on Uber and Lyft wait times in Seattle, helping commuters plan their trips better. With this information, Seattle residents and travelers can reduce their wait times and use rideshare options with ease in their everyday travel.
Real-Time Digital Transit Screens in Seattle
Seattle’s transportation system features a diverse mix of options including buses, streetcars, trams, and ferries, catering to variety of commuting needs. The city also promotes cycling and scootering with dedicated lanes and share programs, supported by rideshare options for added convenience. Seattle’s Transportation Plan (STP) is a 20-year vision that aims to build a transportation system that is safe, efficient, and sustainable for the growing population and future.
Seattle has played a unique role in the development of transit information apps. Many Seattleites and Puget Sound Residents are familiar with the popular OneBusAway app, originally developed at the University of Washington. We’re big supporters of this technology and in fact, our CEO Matt Caywood volunteers on the board of the OneBusAway nonprofit! Actionfigure Screen complements mobile apps like OneBusAway and Actionfigure Mobile, by putting transit information at a glance on real-time digital signs so you never have to search for it. And in Seattle, Actionfigure uses the same trusted real-time data sources as OneBusAway (and adds many additional options, detailed below), so you’ll never have to worry about missing your bus.
With digital tools like Actionfigure Screen providing real-time travel information to commuters and travelers in Seattle, urban mobility is taken one step closer to the STP’s ultimate goal.
Want to learn more?
Let’s chat!
