METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Greater Seattle area leads nation in transit ridership growth

Transit ridership on Sound Transit Link light rail, Metro bus service, and ST Express bus service operated by Metro fueled the growth.

February 26, 2018
Greater Seattle area leads nation in transit ridership growth

Coordinating schedules and operations between Metro and Sound Transit helped customers travel smoothly to work, school, appointments and entertainment.

King County Metro

2 min to read


Coordinating schedules and operations between Metro and Sound Transit helped customers travel smoothly to work, school, appointments and entertainment. King County Metro

Strong growth in Metro, Sound Transit, and RapidRide — as well as vanpools and shuttles — contributed to the Seattle-area posting record ridership numbers and leading the nation in year-over-year ridership growth.

“Sound Transit is moving aggressively ahead to expand regional transit service as ridership on our trains and buses continues to grow,” said CEO Peter Rogoff. “In a few short years, people will be able to ride light rail to Northgate, Bellevue, Federal Way, and Lynnwood — with more service to come as we all work together to build a 116-mile regional transit network.”

Ad Loading...

“Record ridership wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of Metro’s employees — especially its operators, mechanics, and shelter cleaners — who together provide a system that provides outstanding service and reliably carries millions of customers every week,” said King County Metro GM Rob Gannon.

Transit ridership on Sound Transit Link light rail, Metro bus service, and ST Express bus service operated by Metro fueled the growth. Together, these services combined to break records and climb to their highest levels ever: 155 million rides in the King County area — the vast majority of the Seattle-area’s total 191.7 million trips taken in 2017.

According to ridership reported to the National Transit Database, the Seattle-area ranked first due to the growing number of passenger trips among all major metropolitan areas; the rate of growth — 2.5% — ranked second behind only Phoenix (2.7%) and ahead of Houston (0.2%). From 2015 to 2016, the Seattle-area posted 4.7% growth in ridership — leading the nation with the fastest growing ridership rate among major metropolitan areas.

Coordinating schedules and operations between Metro and Sound Transit helped customers travel smoothly to work, school, appointments and entertainment.

On March 10, Metro will again expand service, bringing transit service levels to 15% higher than they were in 2014, thanks to investments by King County and the City of Seattle.

More Management

A expanse of highway in Colorado with text reading "FMCSA Tightens Clearinghouse Verification to Strengthen Driver Records."
Managementby StaffApril 30, 2026

FMCSA Tightens Clearinghouse Verification to Strengthen Driver Records

New ID requirements for employers and service providers aim to improve data accuracy and oversight for motorcoach and commercial drivers.

Read More →
A snowy bridge construction staging zone.
Managementby StaffApril 30, 2026

USDOT Reboots Key Bridge Contract, Expands Infrastructure Funding Nationwide

Maryland to rebid major bridge contract as the Build America Bureau commits $20 million to accelerate project planning and public-private partnerships across 17 states.

Read More →
Cover photo for Part 2 with Cecil Blandon
Managementby Alex RomanApril 30, 2026

Bus Tech Talk: Part 2 with AC Transit’s Cecil Blandon

Deck: In Part 2 of a two-part conversation, AC Transit’s director of maintenance joins co-hosts Alex Roman and Mark Hollenbeck to discuss his maintenance team’s work with various types of vehicle, training, augmented reality, and more.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Carmen C. Cham of HNTB
Managementby Alex RomanApril 29, 2026

How Transit Architecture Is Reshaping the Rider Journey

In this Consultant Roundtable, Carmen C. Cham shares insights on how agencies can create spaces that are intuitive, connected and built for long-term impact.

Read More →
DART light rail and transit bus.
Security and Safetyby StaffApril 29, 2026

Dallas Area Rapid Transit Strengthens Safety with Expanded Security Presence

The approved contract modification will increase funding for transit security officer services to a total not-to-exceed amount of $32.1 million, ensuring a continued and visible security presence across DART’s buses, trains, stations, and facilities.

Read More →
A Valley Metro bus
Managementby StaffApril 28, 2026

Keolis Contract Extended for Valley Metro's East Valley Fixed-Route Bus Service

Under this extension, Keolis will continue to manage and operate fixed-route bus service across the East Valley, serving communities including Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, the town of Gilbert, parts of Phoenix, and the Gila River Indian Community.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A photo of employees walking through HDR's office.
Managementby StaffApril 28, 2026

WTS International Names HDR Employer of the Year

The award recognizes the firm’s commitment to advancing women and developing a diverse workforce in an inclusive and collaborative environment.

Read More →
A Red Line Rendering
Railby StaffApril 27, 2026

Chicago Kicks Off Historic Red Line Extension at Michigan Avenue Station Site

The Red Line Extension Project will provide the Far South Side of Chicago with rapid rail transit for the first time by extending the Red Line by 5.5 miles from 95th Street to 130th Street, including the construction of four new Red Line stations at 103rd, 111th, Michigan, and 130th streets.

Read More →
ABQ RIDE Transit Ambassadors pose in front of a projector screen.
Managementby StaffApril 27, 2026

ABQ RIDE Celebrates One Year of Transit Ambassadors

A year in, ABQ RIDE’s Ambassador Program is proving that a friendly face and local know-how can transform the transit experience.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
New digital signage attached to the ceiling of a TTC bus.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 27, 2026

TTC Upgrades Real-Time Signage to Improve Rider Experience

New onboard displays and stop-level screens aim to make transit easier to navigate, especially during disruptions and major events.

Read More →