Getting Around Seattle with "Green" Transportation

Whether moving to Seattle, or a long time resident, you can contribute to the "greening" of Seattle by not driving your car to work, for play or for chores. There are many "green" alternatives for transportation in Seattle. Take for instance, the public transportation system which includes buses, light rail and ferries. While maybe not as convenient as dashing out by car, with a small amount of planning, one can be both efficient and effective.

King County Metro Trip Planner

By visiting the King County Metro trip planner website, put in the date and time you wish to leave (or arrive), where you are originating your trip and where you wish to go. You also have a choice of the fastest way, the least amount of transfers, minimal walking or needing special assistance with accessible services. The trip planner offers three alternate bus schedules and/or routes for getting you there.

King County RideShare Program

Alternately, Metro offers a "rideshare" program. King County Metro Rideshare Operations provides various services to help you carpool. Ridematch is a free online self-serve ride-matching service that helps you find others who want to carpool or vanpool and have a similar commute. With VanPool, Metro manages the largest publicly owned and operated commuter van program in the nation, providing vans and everything else required to operate them. VanShare bridges the gap between you and transit, ferry and Sounder train service with commuter vans just for these commute connections.

Outside King County, Metro works closely with Pierce County Transit, Sound Transit and Community Transit to insure a smooth transition for riders who have a reason to commute further out into the Seattle-Tacoma area.

Metro Park-And-Ride Program

If your home or office is not conveniently located to a bus stop, there are well-lit "park and ride" lots at a great number of the transit centers in the entire area. This will decrease the number of miles and the crowded roadways as well as decreasing your carbon footprint effect in the Seattle-Tacoma area.

Metro Ride-Free Area

If you live, work, shop or visit downtown Seattle, the areas between South Jackson Street and Battery Street, from the waterfront to 6th Avenue are considered a "ride-free" zone from 6:00AM to 7:00PM every day.

Metro Bike-and-Bus Program

At transit centers, Metro also offers bike storage lockers so you can commute by bike to work, ride for fun or exercise or run errands by linking up with the bus or a van pool. Simply cycle to a park and ride and board the bus to complete your trip. Many buses are equipped with bicycle racks that allow you to ride part of the way to your destination and cycle the rest, taking your bike on the bus with you.

Zipcar: an alternative to public transportation

Alternate transportation options in Seattle also include Zipcar, a car sharing program. One only need apply at the Zipcar website and once approved receive a Zipcard card. You can pick the plan that best serves your needs, whether as an occasional driver or a frequent user of the Zipcar models. Plans cover four monthly commitment options of $50, $75, $125 and $250 plus the occasional driver who pay as they drive. Included in the fees charged are your gas, insurance and a mileage allowance of up to 180 miles per day. Go online to the Zipcar website, login and ask for the time, date and location that you need a car. Zipcar will "zip up" several cars for you to choose from, showing the hourly rate and availability. Zip car is available in many North American states and provinces, as well as London, England. Once you are a member you have access to all of them.

Zipcar works with businesses, organizations and universities

Zipcar as alliances with businesses & organizations for employee use, thereby decreasing the need for parking, reimbursements, off-site transportation and to help reduce business costs. Zipcar works with universities to offer attractive driving rates to students. This reduces the need for parking areas on campus, alleviates congestion on campus and allows faculty and students to benefit while reducing their carbon footprint.
Simply put, Zipcar equals convenience.

There are many options for helping keep Seattle green. Check them out, use them!