King County Metro provided an all-time high 122 million trips in 2017 on more than 200 bus routes. Photo: King County Metro
2 min to read
King County Metro provided an all-time high 122 million trips in 2017 on more than 200 bus routes. Photo: King County Metro
King County Metro was named the best large transit system in North America by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), citing achievements in ridership, safety, access, customer service, financial management, commitment to equity, and sustainability.
APTA judged King County Metro’s performance over the past three years, when the agency significantly increased ridership, launched the nation’s leading reduced-fare program for passengers who earn a lower income, improved passenger and operator safety, and accelerated the industry’s transition to zero-emission bus fleets.
“Being named best in North America is a truly humbling and gratifying moment,” said Metro GM Rob Gannon. “This award goes to each one of the 4,700 employees at King County Metro, in honor of the hard work and amazing customer service they provide every day.”
Ad Loading...
The judges considered 12 qualitative measurements that covered the previous three years, including: Enhanced safety measures; efficiencies in operating procedures; travel training; and a well-trained workforce to meet the needs of the future.
The association previously named King County Metro the best large transit agency in North America in 1983 and 1992.
The award comes weeks after authors of a comprehensive study on the health, economic, and environmental benefits of electric buses encouraged other metropolitan regions to follow King County’s lead to accelerate the transition to all-electric bus fleets nationwide.
Other metropolitan regions are studying King County Metro’s successful reduced-fare program for passengers who earn a lower income, ORCA LIFT, which Executive Constantine launched in 2015. King County Metro also was featured in a recent report, “Inclusive Transit: Advancing Equity Through Improved Access and Opportunity,” as a model for inclusive transit policies and employment practices.
King County Metro provided an all-time high 122 million trips in 2017 on more than 200 bus routes. It also provided nearly 1 million trips on its Access paratransit service for people who have limited mobility options. The agency’s long-range vision, Metro Connects, outlines a plan to double ridership by 2040.
King County Executive Dow Constantine and Metro GM Rob Gannon will receive the Outstanding Public Transportation System of the Year award at the association’s national conference in Nashville on Sept. 25. Executive Constantine will host a local celebration in early September to thank Metro employees, partners, and passengers.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
The service is a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gaps and connect riders to employment for just $5 per day.
The upgraded system, which went live earlier this month, supports METRO’s METRONow vision to enhance the customer experience, improve service reliability, and strengthen long-term regional mobility.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
