Sound Transit Express

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Sound Transit Express
Sound Transit Express logo.svg
Sound Transit Express 91717 at Mountlake Terrace TC - wide view.jpg
A double-decker Sound Transit Express bus on Route 513 at Mountlake Terrace Freeway Station
Parent Sound Transit
Founded1996 (1996)
Headquarters Seattle, Washington
Locale Puget Sound region
Service area King, Pierce, and Snohomish
Service type Express bus service
Routes23
Hubs8
Fleet312 buses
Daily ridership33,500 (weekdays, Q2 2025) [1]
Annual ridership9,325,400 (2024) [2]
Fuel type CNG, Diesel, and Diesel-electric hybrid
Operator Community Transit, King County Metro, and Pierce Transit
Website www.soundtransit.org

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. [3] The first nine routes and 114 buses began carrying passengers on September 19, 1999. [4] [5] In 2024, the system had a ridership of 9,325,400, or about 33,500 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2025.

Contents

Unlike a typical transit bus, 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, [6] and direct access ramps to speed travel times.

While Sound Transit oversees, plans, and funds the service, operation and maintenance of the buses is contracted out to Community Transit (who subcontracts with Transdev), King County Metro and Pierce Transit. [7]

Fares

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

The fares are as follows:

Fare typeAll
Adult$3.25
Senior (65+) / Disabled / Medicare
(Regional Reduced Fare Permit required)		$1.00
Low-income
(ORCA LIFT card required)		$1.00
Youth
(6–18 years)		Free
Children
(0–5 years, with fare paying passenger)		Free

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.

Routes

Sound Transit Express route 545 serving the Montlake Freeway Station 545 Eastbound at Montlake (5140048599).jpg
Sound Transit Express route 545 serving the Montlake Freeway Station

23 Sound Transit Express bus routes are overseen by the agency. [8] Buses are operated under contract by King County Metro, Pierce Transit and Community Transit (who subcontracts with Transdev). [9] 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 as of September 14,2024 are: [10]

RouteOff-peak serviceWeekend serviceStartViaEndOperator
510No
(use route 512)		No
(use route 512)		Downtown Seattle I-5, South Everett Freeway Station, Mountlake Terrace Freeway Station Everett Station

Downtown Everett (select trips only)

Community Transit
512YesYesLynnwood City Center StationAsh Way Park & Ride, South Everett Freeway Station
513NoNoAsh Way Park & Ride, Eastmont Park & RideSeaway Transit Center
515NoNoI-5, Mountlake Terrace Freeway StationDowntown Seattle
522YesYes Roosevelt Station Lake City Way, Bothell Way NE, Ballinger Way, Kenmore Park & Ride University of Washington, Bothell/Cascadia College

Woodinville Park & Ride (select trips only)

King County Metro
532No
(use routes 535 & 512)		No Downtown Bellevue Bellevue Transit Center, Totem Lake Freeway Station, Brickyard Freeway Station (reverse peak only), I-405 & NE 195th (reverse peak only), Canyon Park Park & Ride , Ash Way Park & Ride, South Everett Freeway StationEverett StationCommunity Transit
535YesSaturday onlyBellevue Transit Center, Totem Lake Freeway Station, Brickyard Freeway Station, Bothell Park & Ride, University of Washington, Bothell/Cascadia College, Canyon Park Park & Ride, Alderwood Mall Lynnwood Transit Center
542YesYes U District Station University of Washington, University of Washington Station, Evergreen Point Freeway Station, Yarrow Point Freeway Station, Overlake Transit Center, SR 520 & NE 51st Freeway Station, Downtown RedmondRedmond Transit CenterKing County Metro
545YesYesDowntown SeattleCapitol Hill (select trips), Montlake Freeway Station (closed since 2019), [11] Evergreen Point Freeway Station, Yarrow Point Freeway Station, Overlake Transit Center, SR 520 & NE 51st Freeway Station, Downtown Redmond, Redmond Transit CenterBear Creek Park & Ride
550YesYesMercer Island Park & Ride, South Bellevue Park & Ride, Bellevue, Bellevue Transit CenterBellevue (Library)
554YesYesMercer Island Park & Ride, Eastgate Freeway Station, Issaquah Transit Center, Issaquah Highlands Park & RideIssaquah Highlands Park & Ride

Redmond (185th Avenue NE & Redmond/Fall City Road, select weekday trips only)

556NoNoU District StationUniversity District (Seattle), University of Washington, University of Washington Station, Evergreen Point Freeway Station, Yarrow Point Freeway Station, Bellevue Transit Center, South Bellevue Park & Ride, Eastgate Freeway Station, Issaquah Transit CenterIssaquah Highlands Park & Ride
560YesYesBellevue Transit CenterNewport Hills Park & Ride, Kennydale Freeway Station, Renton, Renton Transit Center, Sea-Tac Airport, SeaTac/Airport Station, Burien Transit CenterWestwood VillagePierce Transit
566YesNoRemond Technology Station (select trips)

State Route 520 & NE 40th St (select trips)

Bellevue Transit Center, Newport Hills Park & Ride (off peak only), Kennydale Freeway Station (off peak only), Renton, Renton Transit Center, Kent Station (select trips), Auburn Park & Ride (select trips)Kent Station (select trips) Auburn Transit CenterKing County Metro
574YesYesSea-Tac AirportSeaTac/Airport Station, Kent/Des Moines Freeway Station, Star Lake Freeway Station, Federal Way Transit Center, Tacoma Dome Station, SR 512 Park & RideLakewood Transit CenterPierce Transit
577YesYesDowntown SeattleI-5Federal Way Transit Center
578YesYesFederal Way Transit Center, Auburn Station, Sumner Station Puyallup Station
580NoNo Puyallup Station 9th St SWSouth Hill Park and Ride
586NoNoUniversity District (Seattle) University of Washington Medical Center, SR 520, I-5, Federal Way Transit CenterTacoma Dome Station
590No
(use route 594)		No
(use route 594)		Downtown SeattleSODO Busway, Tacoma Dome StationTacoma Dome Station

Downtown Tacoma (one early morning trip only)

592NoNoSR 512 Park & Ride, Lakewood StationDuPont Station
594YesYesSODO Busway, Tacoma Dome Station, University of Washington Tacoma, Downtown Tacoma, SR 512 Park & Ride Lakewood Station

DuPont Station (select trips only)

595NoNoSODO Busway, Tacoma Community College Transit Center, Narrows Park & Ride, Kimball Drive Park & RideGig Harbor (Purdy Park & Ride)
596NoNoSumner StationSR 410Bonney Lake Park & Ride

Fleet

Sound Transit owns a fleet of 360 buses [12] operated by three different local transit agencies. 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. This is due to vehicles having mechanical problems, vehicle allocation issues, and assignment errors.

Manufacturer and modelImageLengthPassengersPurchasedQtyFleet NumbersOperator
Gillig Phantom Sound Transit Gillig Phantom 9105-P.jpg 40'42 (seated)2007229092–9113Pierce Transit
New Flyer DE60LF Sound Transit New Flyer DE60LF.jpg 60'56 (seated)2007–20082 [13] 9622–9623King County Metro
200913 [13] 9624–9636
Gillig Low Floor BRT Hybrid Sound Transit Gillig BRT bus 9205 in downtown Seattle (2014).jpg 40'35 (seated) [14] 200822 [14] 9201–9222Pierce Transit
Motor Coach Industries D4500CL Sound Transit MCI.jpg 45' [15] 57 (seated)20087 [12] 9713–9719
20093 [12] 9720–9722
201017 [12] 9723–9739
New Flyer D60LFR Sound Transit Express 9555C at Bellevue TC (8755138870).jpg 60'56 (seated) [16] 201013 [17] 9553–9565Community Transit
201119566Community Transit
179567–9583King County Metro
Sound Transit Express 51215C leaving South Everett (18960395342).jpg 60'56 (seated)201139584–9586King County Metro
109587–9596
2012149800–9813
59818–9822
New Flyer DE60LFR Sound Transit DE60LFR.jpg 60'56 (seated)201011 [17] 9637–9647King County Metro
20114 [12] 9648–9651
Gillig Low Floor BRT Hybrid40'35 (seated) [14] 201222 [14] 9201–9222Pierce Transit
Gillig Low Floor BRT Sound Transit Express 9122P IMG 3406 (2).jpg 40'35 (seated)20122 [12] 9122–9123
20153 [12] 9124–9126
New Flyer Xcelsior XDE60 STEX 61404P in Downtown Seattle.jpg 60'57 (seated)20148 [12] 9652–9659King County Metro
20147 [12] 61401–61407Pierce Transit
60'52 (Seated)2020319660–9690King County Metro
New Flyer Xcelsior XD60 Sound Transit Express 51401P in Downtown Seattle (21307069444).jpg 60'57 (seated)20144 [12] 9814–9817King County Metro
20143 [12] 51401–51403Pierce Transit
Alexander Dennis Enviro500 MMC Sound Transit double-decker bus 91711 on route 512, August 2018.jpg 42'82 (seated)20155 [12] 91501–91505Community Transit
20173291701–91732
42'82 (seated)20201391901–91913
Gillig Low Floor BRTPlus CNG Sound Transit Gillig 40' Low Floor CNG (24333018094).jpg 40'35 (seated)201517 [18] 41501–41517Pierce Transit
2016541601–41605
Motor Coach Industries D4500CT CNG Sound Transit Express 9302P 2017-06-07 17.13.31 (2).jpg 45'57 (seated)2016129301–9312Pierce Transit

Retired fleet

Manufacturer and modelImageLengthPassengersPurchasedRetiredQtyFleet NumbersOperatorNotes
OBI Orion V CNG (05.501) Sound Transit 826.jpg 40'421994200827801–827Pierce TransitEx-Pierce Transit; bought in 1998. Retired in 2008.
Breda DuoBus 350
(ADPB 350) Dual-mode 		60'6319902005205019–5021, 5194–5210King County MetroLeased from King County Metro Transit in 1999. Replaced by New Flyer DE60LFs.
Gillig Phantom 40' Sound Transit Express 9091K IMG 0845.jpg 40'4219992014709000–9069King County Metro / Pierce Transit / Community Transit
20012014209070–9089King County MetroRetired in 2014.
2005202029090–9091King County MetroReplaced by New Flyer XDE60s.
2008202089114–9121Community TransitReplaced by ADL Enviro500 MMC.
New Flyer DE40LF Sound Transit Express 9200K GHBX0482.jpg 40'342003202019200King County MetroReplaced by New FlyerXDE60s.
New Flyer C40LF40'3920012014209400–9419Pierce TransitReplaced by Gillig CNG Low Floor BRT.
New Flyer D60LF60'5619992016259500–9524Pierce Transit / King County Metro / Community Transit
Sound Transit D60LF 9536-K.jpg 20002019129525–9536Community Transit / King County Metro
Sound Transit Express 9552P IMG 1638.jpg 20042020169537–9552Community Transit / King County Metro / Pierce Transit
New Flyer DE60LF Sound Transit Express 9612K 2017-02-10 11.01.23 (2).jpg 60'5620052020229600–9621King County MetroReplaced by New Flyer XDE60s.
Motor Coach Industries D4500 Sound Transit Express buses on I-5 in Pierce County (8754008963).jpg 45' [15] 57 (seated)2005202213 [19] 9700–9712Pierce Transit

References

  1. ↑ "Transit Ridership Report Second Quarter 2025" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. August 27, 2025. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. February 19, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  3. ↑ Rogoff, Peter (January 29, 2016). "CEO Report for January 29, 2016". Sound Transit. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  4. ↑ Collins, Eric (September 20, 1999). "Sound Transit's airport bus hits road". The News Tribune . pp.  A1, A10 . Retrieved November 24, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Regional transit history 1997 - 2003". Sound Transit. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  6. ↑ Gutman, David (November 9, 2018). "Buses can avoid morning congestion by using I-5 shoulder lane in Snohomish County". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  7. ↑ Johnson, Matthew (December 10, 2015). "Q. Who's driving those Sound Transit buses and trains?". The Platform. Sound Transit. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Sound Transit: ST Express Regional Bus Service". Sound Transit . Retrieved November 10, 2009.
  9. ↑ "Lost and found". Sound Transit. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Sound Transit announces March 2024 Service Change" (Press release). Sound Transit. March 22, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Montlake Freeway Station closure begins June 22, 2019" (PDF). Washington State Department of Transportation. May 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Draft 2015 Service Implementation Plan - Appendix B: Fleet Plans" (PDF). Sound Transit. p. 111. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 8, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
  13. 1 2 "MOTION NO. M2009-15: Contract with New Flyer Corporation" (PDF). Sound Transit. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 20, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "MOTION NO. M2011-04 Purchase 24 Forty-Foot Replacement Buses" (PDF). Sound Transit. February 24, 2011. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
  15. 1 2 "ST Express 45-foot Long-Haul Bus Specifications (MCI)". Sound Transit. Archived from the original on September 19, 2007. Retrieved May 19, 2007.
  16. ↑ "Sound Transit: Sound Transit board approves purchase of clean diesel and hybrid buses". Sound Transit. February 24, 2011. Archived from the original on February 28, 2011. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
  17. 1 2 "MOTION NO. M2010-01: ST Express Bus Procurement – ST2 Expansion Service" (PDF). Sound Transit. January 14, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 20, 2010. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  18. ↑ "MOTION NO. M2014-06" (PDF). March 27, 2014. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  19. ↑ "MOTION NO. M2009-09: Contract with Motor Coach Industries" (PDF). Sound Transit. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 20, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
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