Metro bus rides to be free, riders to enter rear doors

SEATTLE -- Metro bus rides will be free starting Saturday and riders will no longer enter and leave at the front of the bus, the agency announced Friday.

The free rides including the water taxi and Access paratransit and will remain in effect until further notice.

“As this crisis evolves, we are constantly reviewing all of our practices and policies to provide the best service while keeping people safe," King County Executive Dow Constantine said in news relase. "Changing how riders board and exit our bus fleet and also suspending all fares is part of that effort."

Riders will be directed to board and exit at the rear doors of buses, reserving front-door access for customers using mobility devices or who require use of the boarding ramp, officials said.

The agency is creating and readying signs to install notifying passengers that fare will not be collected and that they are to use the rear doors.

The announcement comes a day after the agency announced major changes to bus schedules across King County, eliminating some runs and reducing service on others due to a large drop in ridership amid the coronavirus outbreak. See the Metro schedule changes here<>><>>.