The $4 Billion Overhaul: 7 Shocking Changes Coming To King County Metro In 2025-2026

King County Metro (KCM) is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history, marking a new era for public transit across the Puget Sound region. As of December 2025, the agency is aggressively moving forward with massive budget allocations, major service expansions, and a deep commitment to fleet electrification and rider safety. The changes are not just incremental; they represent a fundamental shift in how millions of commuters will navigate Seattle, Bellevue, and the broader King County area, impacting everything from your daily commute time to the fare you pay at the bus door.

The transit landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by record ridership growth and an unprecedented $4 billion budget for the 2026-2027 biennium. This article dives into the seven most critical, up-to-the-minute developments—from a controversial fare hike to the deployment of cutting-edge 'NextGen' technology—that are defining the future of King County Metro.

The 2026-2027 Budget and King County Metro's Financial Profile

The financial foundation for Metro's ambitious plans is the recently adopted 2026-2027 biennial budget, which is nothing short of historic. This massive funding package is the engine driving service improvements, technological upgrades, and critical safety initiatives.

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Record-Breaking Budget and Service Expansion

• $4 Billion Biennial Budget: The King County Council adopted a $4 billion budget for King County Metro in November 2025, which covers both operating and capital expenses. This monumental investment is aimed at reversing the service reductions seen in previous years and preparing the agency for a growing population.
• Over 400,000 New Service Hours: A core component of the budget, proposed by King County Executive Shannon Braddock, is the addition of more than 400,000 hours of bus service. This expansion is designed to increase frequency and reliability on key routes, particularly in underserved rural and southern areas of King County.
• 2025 Operating Budget: The immediate financial plan for the current year, the adopted 2025 budget, allocated $2.12 billion to Metro for its transit services.

Targeted Safety and Security Investments

Rider and operator safety remains a top priority. The proposed 2025 supplemental budget includes a significant dedicated investment:

• $26.1 Million for Safety: This substantial investment is specifically earmarked for enhancing safety and security measures across the Metro system.
• SaFE Reform Initiative: Metro continues to advance its Safety, Security, and Fare Enforcement (SaFE) Reform Initiative, which is a collaborative effort to co-create new strategies for transit safety and security, moving away from traditional enforcement models.

Major Service Changes and the New $3.00 Flat Fare

Commuters must prepare for two major changes impacting their daily travel: a fare adjustment and a significant increase in available trips, reflecting the agency's commitment to boosting ridership and service quality.

1. The September 2025 Fare Increase

One of the most talked-about changes is the adjustment to the adult bus fare, which is set to increase by $0.25 on September 1, 2025.

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• New $3.00 Flat Fare: The increase aligns the Metro adult bus fare with Sound Transit's updated $3.00 flat fare for the Link light rail and Express buses. This move aims to create a more consistent and simplified fare structure across regional transit systems.
• Fare-Free Pilot Push: Despite the fare increase, there is a concurrent push, led by figures like Executive Braddock, for a Fare-Free Pilot program, though it faces challenges due to the estimated $24.5 million annual cost of fare collection.

2. Massive Service Restoration and Expansion

The 400,000-hour service increase translates directly into more trips and better coverage:

• 900+ New Weekly Trips: Metro is adding more than 900 weekly bus trips to the schedule, a clear signal of the agency's recovery and expansion efforts.
• DART Route Restoration: Service was restored on eight subcontracted Dial-a-Ride Transit (DART) routes in spring 2025, improving accessibility in less-dense areas.

3. The RapidRide I Line: Connecting South King County

The RapidRide program, Metro's high-capacity, limited-stop bus service, is set for a major expansion with the introduction of the I Line, a project that has been in the works for years but is now moving into the construction phase.

• 17 Miles of New Service: The I Line will establish 17 miles of new RapidRide service, significantly enhancing connections in South King County.
• Key Corridors: Construction is slated to begin in Fall 2025, with the new line connecting the cities of Renton, Kent, and Auburn. This investment aims to provide faster, more reliable service to these critical regional hubs.

4. The NextGen Transit Signal Priority (TSP) Rollout

To combat traffic congestion and improve on-time performance, Metro is investing heavily in smart technology designed to give buses an advantage on the road. This is a crucial component of the overall transit improvements initiative.

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• Centralized TSP System: The new 'NextGen' centralized Transit Signal Priority (TSP) system allows buses to communicate with traffic signals, requesting a green light or an extended green light to pass through intersections quickly.
• Targeted Routes: The initial rollout of the NextGen TSP is targeting key corridors in Southwest King County, including Route 131, Route 132, and Route 124, with the goal of speeding up bus travel times.
• Transit Corridor Improvements: Other projects, such as the Route 36 Corridor Improvements and Greenwood Corridor Improvements, complement the TSP by creating dedicated bus-only lanes and upgraded signals to further expedite service.

5. The Acceleration of the Zero Emissions Fleet

Metro is rapidly moving toward its goal of a zero-emissions fleet, a cornerstone of King County's environmental and sustainability commitments. This involves significant capital investment in new vehicles and infrastructure.

• 120 New Battery Electric Buses (BEB): Metro is preparing to begin revenue service with up to 120 new Battery Electric Buses (BEB) starting in 2026.
• $46 Million Hybrid-Electric Investment: The agency has allocated $46 million in federal stimulus money toward a new fleet of hybrid-electric buses.
• Infrastructure Expansion: To support the new fleet, Metro is adding charging infrastructure to existing bases and building new facilities capable of hosting at least 250 BEBs. The Zero Emissions Fleet plan is a long-term commitment to electrifying the entire fleet over the next decade.

6. Record Ridership Growth and National Recognition

The investments are paying off, as King County Metro has seen a dramatic resurgence in ridership, confirming its status as one of the nation's fastest-recovering transit agencies.

• Second-Highest Growth Nationally: King County Metro posted the second-highest ridership growth among the 10 largest transit agencies nationwide in 2025, showcasing a strong rebound in public confidence and use.
• 63 Million Boardings: Through August 31, 2025, Metro recorded an estimated 63 million boardings, representing a 4.5 million increase compared to the same period the previous year. This momentum reinforces the need for the planned service expansions.

7. Focus on the Rider and Operator Experience

Beyond the major capital projects, Metro is also addressing the fundamental needs of its employees and passengers to ensure a better daily experience for everyone on the system.

• Bus Driver Comfort Stations: Acknowledging the needs of its essential workforce, Metro is investing in new Bus Driver Comfort stations as part of its 2025 projects.
• Cleaning Initiatives: Enhanced cleaning initiatives are listed among Metro's primary efforts to improve the overall ridership experience, making buses and facilities more inviting for passengers.
• Transit Development Plan: The Transit Development Plan 2025-2030 outlines a renewed focus on prioritizing transit improvement initiatives, especially those that increase accessibility and frequency for all King County residents.