Metro and Seattle Streetcar fares increasing on Sept. 1

On Monday, King County Metro announced fares will increase on September 1, 2025, for multiple Metro services and for the Seattle Streetcar, which is owned by SDOT but operated by Metro.

Table of fare changes on King County Metro services, as presented on Metro Matters" on July 28 (King County).

From the announcement:

The new adult $3 fare brings the price of riding Metro buses, Metro Flex and Seattle Streetcar in alignment with Sound Transit's flat fare on Link light rail and Express buses. The Metro Vanpool/Transit pass will increase from $99 to $108 to account for this new fare on regular transit service.

This is Metro's first adult bus fare increase since establishing a flat fare in 2018. Metro's fare policies support equitable access to transit, our revenue targets and regional coordination. Periodic review of fares is a regular part of Metro's budget planning process.

Metro notes that reduced fares are still available for certain riders via the ORCA LIFT program, Reduced Regional Fare Permit, and the Subsidized Annual Pass. People aged 18 years or less ride for free, but are encouraged to get a Youth ORCA Card to practice tapping onto transit.