King County expands Metro Flex services to enhance transit options in Issaquah

Credit: King County Metro

Building on the success of Metro Flex services offered in seven other areas of King County, King County Metro has announced that it is partnering with the City of Issaquah to expand service across the city’s many neighbourhoods and 42,000 residents. By using this service, riders will be able to use the Metro Flex app to book rides on minivans and travel to local places, providing fast, frequent bus service to the rest of the region.

Service will be available in the service area across Issaquah and Sammamish. Metro Flex also opens the door to easier travel for neighbourhoods to access the Issaquah Transit Center and connect riders to the region’s public transportation network. This solution will help car-free lifestyles for the residents of the communities served by the service, including neighbourhoods where regular transit service isn’t currently available.

King County Metro Flex delivers flexible, reliable transportation for $2.75 a trip – the same fare as a ride on a King County Metro bus. As with the agency’s other services, reduced fares are available for customers with disabilities, customers with lower incomes and seniors.

In-Depth Focus: Passenger Experience

“Metro Flex is already a success with riders across the region, and now we are taking it to the next level with this expansion to thousands of future riders in the City of Issaquah,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “On-demand transit has the power to transform and improve a city’s transportation network and give residents first-mile/last-mile connections to transit hubs, services, shopping and opportunities. We look forward to rolling out this exciting service.”

“The City of Issaquah has been working for at least 10 years to bring an on-demand transit option to several neighbourhoods historically not served by transit,” said John Larson-Friend, Transportation Program Coordinator for the City of Issaquah. “Metro Flex will provide our neighbourhoods much-needed access to local services, bus routes and transit centres, helping to fulfil multiple aspects of the city’s comprehensive plan and mobility master plan. The added service will fill intracity mobility gaps, which will benefit all residents of Issaquah.”

King County Metro Flex has evolved over the years to support the changing mobility needs of riders. Service currently operates in Juanita, Kent, Sammamish, Othello, Rainier Beach/Skyway, the Renton Highlands and Tukwila.