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Wikipedia / Sound Transit Express

Sound Transit Express (ST Express) is a network of regional express buses operated by the multi-county transit agency Sound Transit. The routes connect major regional hubs throughout 53 cities in three counties (King, Pierce, and Snohomish) in the Puget Sound region. Sound Transit Express ranks first in the nation in the number of commuter bus passengers carried and in vehicle miles driven. The first nine routes and 114 buses began carrying passengers on September 19, 1999. In , the system had a ridership of , or about per weekday as of .

Unlike a typical transit bus service, Sound Transit Express routes typically make limited stops as they travel longer distances on the freeways. Most routes operate seven days a week, with runs throughout the day. Where available, buses use transit-only lanes, high-occupancy vehicle lanes, high-occupancy toll lanes, express lanes, bus bypass shoulders, and direct access ramps to speed travel times. The enabling legislation for Sound Transit requires the eventual replacement of interim express bus routes with forms of high-capacity transit, including Link light rail and bus rapid transit. As a result, many routes have been truncated or discontinued to accommodate expansions of the regional transit system.

While Sound Transit oversees, plans, and funds the service, operation and maintenance of the buses is contracted out to Community Transit, King County Metro and Pierce Transit. There are 240 buses in the system's fleet.

Fares

ST Express uses a flat fare system, where each ride costs the same regardless of distance.

The fares are as follows:Paper transfers are not accepted or issued on Sound Transit routes. Passengers who use ORCA may transfer between ST routes or routes operated by most other agencies within two hours of initial payment. If the fare for the second route is higher, the difference will be charged.

Sound Transit reduced the base fare to match the Link light rail's flat $3 fare in March 2025.

Routes

25 Sound Transit Express bus routes are overseen by the agency. Buses are operated under contract by King County Metro, Pierce Transit and Community Transit. When Sound Transit implements a new bus route, changes are frequently made to existing routes that serve the area to avoid overlapping.

The ST Express routes and operators are:

Fleet

Sound Transit owns a fleet of 240 buses operated by three different local transit agencies: Community Transit, King County Metro, and Pierce Transit. These buses are maintained at the respective bases for the agencies in Everett, Bellevue, and Lakewood. The fleet includes articulated, double-decker, and high-floor coach buses. Sound Transit buses are painted white with aqua, turquoise, and blue waves along the sides, representing the Puget Sound region ST Express serves, and most feature a freely-adapted representation of the Sound Transit bus and train system map on the seating fabric.

Occasionally, vehicles that are not in Sound Transit livery are used on Sound Transit routes by the operating agencies. Also, Sound Transit vehicles may also be used by the local agencies for other commuter routes.

References