Politics & Government

Service Members Get Free Rides On Sound Transit, Metro Transit

Sound Transit, Metro Transit provides free transit services to service members in uniform or showing valid military ID Aug. 1-6.

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SEATTLE, WA - From Sound Transit: Sound Transit, Metro Transit and the King County Water Taxi are proud to participate in the annual Seafair tradition of honoring those who serve their country by providing free fares during Fleet Week. Members and former members of the Armed Forces, including active duty, veterans and retirees, can ride free on Link light rail, Sounder trains, Sound Transit and Metro buses and the Vashon and West Seattle Water Taxis during Fleet Week.

Service members not in uniform are asked to show their ID to the transit operator upon boarding or to fare inspectors if requested. Valid forms of military ID can include a Uniformed Identification Card, a Veteran Health Identification Card or a DD-214.

Ships from the U.S. Navy, U.S Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy are expected to sail into Seattle this week with vessels docking along the waterfront for the public to tour and enjoy. More information on Fleet Week and the Parade of Ships is available on seafair.com.

Find out what's happening in Seattlefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

All customers riding Sound Transit and Metro to Seafair activities should plan ahead and allow plenty of time for traffic delays and road closures.

Ride transit to hydro races August 5-6

Find out what's happening in Seattlefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

While there is no hydro race shuttle from Columbia City Station, Metro will add trips to Route 50 and provide service every 15 minuteson Saturday and Sunday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for passengers traveling to the Albert Lee Cup hydro races on Lake Washington. Route 50, which normally operates every 30 minutes, serves Genesee Park near the Stanley Sayres Pit and connects with Link light rail at Columbia City and Othello stations.

Metro is increasing Route 50 bus service this year instead of operating shuttle buses from the Columbia City light rail station. Regular fares are required for non-military riders.

I-90 bridge closure reroutes and shuttles, August 3-6 for the Blue Angels

When the Blue Angels take to Seattle’s skies, all I-90 bus service will be rerouted to State Route 520 during I-90 bridge closures, which affect the eastbound and westbound lanes. Certain I-90 and I-5 ramps also will close 30 minutes to one hour before flight times.

During the I-90 closures, Sound Transit Express routes 550 and 554, which normally travel via I-90, will be rerouted to SR 520 and will not serve stops on I-90 at Rainier Avenue South and Mercer Island. Metro will provide shuttle bus service between the Eastgate and Mercer Island park-and-ride lots. Regular fares are required on the I-90 shuttles for non-military riders.

All I-90 transit service will be rerouted during the following times and days:

  • Thursday, Aug. 3: 9:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.; 1 p.m. – 2:40 p.m.
  • Friday, Aug. 4: 12:55 p.m. – 2:40 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug. 5: 12:55 p.m. – 2:40 p.m.
  • Sunday, Aug. 6: 12:55 p.m. – 2:40 p.m.

More information on I-90 bridge closures is available on the WSDOT and Seafair websites.

Details about reroutes are on the Sound Transit Rider Alerts and Metro Service Advisories pages. Riders can use the Sound Transit Customer trip planner at soundtransit.org and the Metro trip planner at http://tripplanner.kingcounty.gov/ to plan trips to Seafair events.

Complete Sound Transit train and bus schedules are available at soundtransit.org/Schedules.

Image via Sound Transit

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