Go Green: Ride METRO!

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Attempting to go green? Recession have you strapped for parking money? Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to start thinking about taking the bus! Read on to learn more about the basics of the METRO, it's easier and slightly more pleasant than we've all learned to expect.

Have your fare ready!

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$1.75 off peak or $2.00 peak (obviously during rush hour), make sure to have exact fare ready before boarding the bus! If you become frequent at this, buy a bus pass and save yourself some time (and $$).

Note: If you’re traveling FROM downtown, pay as you LEAVE.

Your Shortcut to Seattle Destinations:

Need to know what bus to take to get to certain areas of the city? Here’s an abbreviated guide:

From Downtown:

  • To Ballard: 15
  • To Belltown: 2,3,4
  • To Capital Hill: 43, 49
  • To Eastlake: 70
  • To First Hill: 3,4
  • To Fremont: 26
  • To Greenlake: 26
  • To Magnolia: 24
  • To Northgate: 41
  • To Queen Anne: 2,13
  • To U District: 71,72,73
  • To Wallingford: 16

DON'T ride the wave

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The busses with the wave (also known as Sound Transit) are quite nice to ride, but will NOT help you maneuver the city. Unless you’re looking to cross county lines, stay off these commuter busses!

Snow day? No way!

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We may see a lot of rain in Seattle – but when it comes to snow it is something we Seattleites are seemingly unfamiliar. If you happen to be here for a day of snow dusting, avoid taking the bus. Unless you enjoy getting trapped on hills or waiting for hours just to catch your bus, then do what you can to not ride the bus.

DO ride the SLUT

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SLUT = South Lake Union Trolley. Though you might not have any reason to venture towards SLU, I highly recommend riding the SLUT if only to show your support (and of course for the naughty innuendos which will also ensue).

If anything – make your way from downtown to Joey’s on South Lake Union to enjoy one of Seattle’s few sunny days out on the deck overlooking the water.

 

Take advantage of the bus tunnel

Frequent bus service, shelter underground to avoid the rain, and a quick connecting service between Convention Center and International District make the Bus Tunnel something you should always try to use.

Avoid the 7 - at ALL costs

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Trust me – do not take the 7 unless you’re willing to sacrifice your life.

You think I’m joking…

Ride FREE!

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Take advantage of the Ride Free Zone – which virtually encompasses all of downtown.

QUICK FACTS - to help you seem like a regular

  • If traveling alone, bring along your iPod so as to avoid the characters which often frequent the system
  • Make sure to distinguish the difference between an Express and a Local. The last thing you want is to be “that guy” who missed his stop because he confused the 2 with the 2X
  • If you can, try avoiding the 70s after 9p on weekends. Unless of course, you like the smell of underage vomit.
  • Don’t talk on your cell phone when riding the bus. Seriously, don’t.  
  • As mentioned before, avoid the 7 at all costs.  
  • Don’t bother getting on the bus if you’re only going one stop. It’s common courtesy for the rest of us traveling from end of the line to the next.  
  • Unless you want to be “that girl” who eats shit in the aisle on a rainy day, consider wearing shoes with rubber soles. Nobody wants to be “that girl” after all.  
  • Need to get off the bus? Pull the cord – the driver isn’t telepathic.
  • Traveling within the city? Don’t get on a bus with 3 digits… the 408 is NOT going to Queen Anne
  • Want to get to Alki but don’t want to take the ridiculous bus ride across the bridge? Take the Water Taxi which boards down on the waterfront. It’s part of Metro so you can easily transfer. 

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Discussions

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Boo to public transportation. I hate it. But do agree. It’s the best way to save money!! It’s no fun in Boston, but I definitely take it all the time.