Via to Transit, King County Metro’s on-demand transit service, has expanded into Rainier Beach, Skyway, Renton Highlands and Tukwila.
Launched in collaboration with Via, the service provides access to affordable, efficient and equitable transportation in King County.
“The expansion of this service started by Metro asking the residents of these communities a question: ‘What can we do? What can we do to make it easier for you to get to school, to work, to appointments, and to the services you depend on?’ The response was they wanted options beyond fixed bus routes,” said King County Metro Deputy General Manager Michelle Allison. “Thank you to Via, to community organizations in these neighborhoods and to the King County Library System for partnering with us in providing these services to the riders who depend on us.”
Via to Transit is available in four service areas: Othello, Rainier Beach/Skyway, Renton Highlands and Tukwila. One end of a trip must be a designated hub for the service area. People who live, work or go to school within the specified service areas can download the Via app or call 206-258-7739 and request an on-demand ride from Via to Transit to connect to buses and trains or get to select community hubs like grocery stores, parks, libraries, healthcare and more.
“Equitable access to transit is at the core of Via’s mission, and our long-term partnership with King County Metro is a perfect example of the way that technology can help connect communities to jobs, healthcare and educational opportunities,” said Daniel Ramot, co-founder and CEO of Via. “We are proud to work with the team at King County Metro to continue to redefine public transit so that it best meets the changing needs of residents.”
The expanded service into these communities is part of King County Metro’s Mobility Framework— which helps the agency adapt to the changing transportation landscape in an equitable and sustainable way. These neighborhoods have been identified areas of opportunity due to the challenge of meeting their transportation need with fixed-route services.
The community celebration recognized the role residents had in the expansion of Via to Transit. King County Metro has worked closely with these communities to understand their needs. Residents have expressed strong support for an on-demand flexible service and have helped identify which community and transit hubs are most important to serve to increase access.
The cost for Via to Transit is the same as riding the bus: $2.75 adult, $1.50 ORCA LIFT and youth, $1.00 RRFP, free for children five and under—and there is no extra cost transferring between a bus or light rail and Via. Riders can pay using their ORCA card, a Transit GO Ticket or using a credit/debit card in the Via app/call center. Accommodations can be made for riders with disabilities.
