King County Metro Transit

What King County Metro Transit does

King County Metro Transit is a public government transit agency and division of King County government, founded around 1970 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington. It operates one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the Pacific Northwest, serving approximately 2.3 million residents across 34 cities within King County. Core service offerings include fixed-route bus service, the RapidRide bus rapid transit (BRT) network, electric trolley bus and battery-electric bus fleets, light rail connections operated in coordination with Sound Transit, water taxi service (Vashon Island and West Seattle), vanpool and Community Van programs, and Metro Flex on-demand transit. The agency records 200,000+ daily boardings and supports sub-brands including ORCA regional fare card, Transit GO Ticket mobile app, and Accessible Services for disabled riders.

The agency's underlying technology platform is primarily physical transit infrastructure — bus fleets transitioning to 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2035, electric trolley infrastructure, rail track, water taxi vessels, and EV charging depots — augmented by customer-facing digital tools (Trip Planner, Next Departures, Transit GO Ticket) and a Salesforce-based customer service portal. Recent technology investments include a Heliox 480 kW DC fast EV charger pilot and a University Bridge trolley pole replacement project to support the future RapidRide J Line.

The revenue model is a hybrid of fare collection (transaction-based), recurring sales tax revenue (Seattle transit sales tax proposed to double to 0.3% in 2027, generating an estimated $138M annually), federal grants (including $33.5M from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for 30 battery-electric buses), and ancillary services such as wastewater treatment. GTM motion is direct-to-consumer for general ridership, event-driven for special services (World Cup 2026, Trailhead Direct), and enterprise for employer programs (ORCA Business, Commute Trip Reduction). Customer segments include general public, low-income riders via ORCA LIFT, seniors and disabled riders via Regional Reduced Fare Permit, and employer partners; pricing includes free youth fares (under 18), reduced fares for income-qualified riders, and standard per-trip fares around $3.

Name

King County Metro Transit

Legal name

King County Metro Transit

Website

https://kingcounty.gov

Company type

Public

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

King County Metro Transit is a public government agency operating bus, BRT, rail, water taxi, and vanpool services across 34 cities in King County, Washington, serving 2.3 million residents with 200,000+ daily boardings and transitioning to a 100% zero-emission fleet by 2035.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Transit Services

NAICS

Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems (485113), Mixed Mode Transit Systems (485111), Urban Transit Systems (48511), Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation (48521)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Transit Agencies (Bus, Rail, Metro, Paratransit) (BPAIALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Suburban/Regional Commuter Bus Operators (TLAFAGAC), Urban & Commuter Ferries (Scheduled Public Service) (THAIAJAA), Park-and-Ride Facilities & Transit Parking (THAIALAI), Shuttle, Park-and-Ride & Mobility Hub Operations (BPABAKAI), Metro/Subway Stations (THAIALAB)

Keywords

• Public transit services
• Bus rapid transit
• Fixed route bus service
• Paratransit services
• Fare collection systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Transit Fares: Fare collection from bus, rail, and water taxi riders; county code requires portion of funding from fares; moving toward cashless payment
2. Seattle Transit Sales Tax: Seattle transit sales tax at 0.15% proposed to double to 0.3% in 2027, estimated to raise $138M annually and increase King County Metro bus funding by 50%
3. Federal Grants: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding from U.S. Department of Transportation for zero-emission fleet transition
4. Wastewater Treatment Services: Regional wastewater conveyance and treatment system supporting economic development

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

King County Metro Transit operates a comprehensive public transportation system serving King County, Washington, including fixed-route bus service, RapidRide bus rapid transit (BRT), water taxi, rail connections, vanpool programs, Metro Flex on-demand service, and Community Van. The agency also delivers accessibility/paratransit services, the ORCA regional fare card system, and Transit GO mobile ticketing, supported by the Metro Transit Police Department for security across 200,000+ daily boardings.

Product overview

King County Metro Transit operates a comprehensive public transportation system serving King County, Washington. The agency provides fixed-route bus service, rail travel, water taxi, demand-responsive services (Metro Flex, Community Van), vanpool programs, and the RapidRide high-frequency bus network. The transit system is complemented by the Metro Transit Police Department for safety and security, fare collection via ORCA cards, and various rider programs. The agency is undergoing a major fleet electrification initiative to achieve a 100% zero-emission fleet by 2035.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RapidRide: Bus rapid transit service connecting communities with frequent, all-day service and enhanced stations.
• Water Taxi
• Metro Flex
• ORCA
• Transit GO Ticket

Products and services

• Metro Bus Service
• RapidRide
• Metro Flex
• Community Van
• Vanpool and Vanshare
• Water Taxi
• Rail Travel
• ORCA Card
• Transit GO Ticket
• Accessible Services
• ORCA Business
• Commute Trip Reduction
• Home Free Guarantee
• Golden Gardens Direct

Quantifiable outcome

• 30 battery-electric buses funded through federal infrastructure law
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Heliox (Siemens Business)coreTechnology or Integration · 8 May 2026Heliox partnered with King County Metro to pilot the Flex Pro 480 kW DC fast EV charger for transit depot needs in Seattle metropolitan area. The system offers Build America, Buy America compliance and 24-month warranty, supporting fleet electrification goals.
• Sound Transit PolicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Transit Anti-Terrorism Team (JTATT) partnership providing dedicated anti-terrorism operations, visible deterrence, and mass casualty response training for civilian and commissioned employees.
• Local Law Enforcement AgenciesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetro Transit Police coordinates with local agencies across police jurisdictions as buses operate through different areas, ensuring comprehensive coverage and response.
• King County Department of Community and Human ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBehavioral Health Support Pilot Program partnership providing de-escalation, crisis intervention, peer support, and social service referrals at Aurora Village and Burien Transit Centers (6 p.m. - 2 a.m.).
• City of SeattlecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched Golden Gardens Direct summer bus route to address park accessibility challenges, reduce traffic congestion and parking demand at Golden Gardens Park.
• Sound TransitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal funding support for Sound Transit projects including West Seattle Link Extension, Ballard Link Extension, and Graham Street Station under proposed Seattle transit tax increase.
• Seattle Department of TransportationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinating on University Bridge Trolley Pole Replacement Project overlapping infrastructure to minimize public disruption during construction.
• Washington State Department of TransportationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinating on University Bridge Trolley Pole Replacement Project overlapping infrastructure to minimize public disruption during construction.
• Sound TransitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity Bridge trolley infrastructure improvements supporting future RapidRide J Line upgrade.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Chicago Transit Authority (CTA): Municipal transit operator providing bus and rail service across Chicago. Comparable large-urban public transit agency with multi-modal fleet operations and reduced fare programs.
• Sound Transit: Regional transit authority serving the Puget Sound region with light rail, commuter rail, and express bus. Operates in overlapping service territory with King County Metro and is referenced as a frequent coordination partner on West Seattle/Ballard Link Extensions.
• Los Angeles Metro: Major U.S. municipal transit agency operating bus, rail, and BRT across Los Angeles County. Directly comparable as a large multi-modal public transit operator pursuing aggressive fleet electrification.
• Washington State Ferries: State-operated ferry system providing passenger water transport across Puget Sound. Compares directly to King County Metro's Water Taxi service for waterborne public passenger transit.

Regional players

• Pierce Transit: Public transit agency serving Pierce County, Washington — adjacent to King County. Provides comparable fixed-route bus service in a neighboring metropolitan area and participates in the regional ORCA fare system.
• Community Transit: Public transit agency serving Snohomish County, Washington, with bus and Swift BRT service. Comparable public transit model in a neighboring Puget Sound county and ORCA system participant.
• TriMet: Public transit agency serving the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area with bus, light rail, and streetcar. Comparable mid-size Pacific Northwest transit operator with similar service mix and equity programs.

Broad incumbents

• New York City Transit (MTA): Largest public transit agency in North America operating subway, bus, and paratransit in NYC. Functions as a much larger municipal transit peer with similar fixed-route bus, rail, and accessibility service mix.
• Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT): Municipal transportation agency that owns street infrastructure and coordinates with King County Metro on trolley pole replacement and RapidRide corridor projects. Operates overlapping mobility functions within Seattle city limits.

Emerging players

• Via Transportation: Technology company providing on-demand transit software and microtransit services to public transit agencies, including comparable on-demand transit models to Metro Flex.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/KingCountyMetro
• YouTubeyoutube.com/kingcountymetro
• Facebookfacebook.com/KingCountyMetro
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/king-county-metro
• Instagraminstagram.com/kingcountymetro

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about King County Metro Transit