2024 Report Shows Big Jump in ORCA Transit Ridership

MARCH 11, 2025 – Transit in the Puget Sound region delivered 17 million more trips in 2024 than the prior year, according to six ORCA transit agencies. Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit and Sound Transit delivered 134 million trips in 2023 and 151 million trips in 2024.

The growing popularity of transit aligns with recent expansions and improvements across the region. Transit agencies celebrated adding more bus trips, opening new bus rapid transit lines, launching Sound Transit Link light rail extensions, offering more fast ferry and water taxi service, and extending “first-mile, last-mile” options that connect neighborhoods that do not yet have frequent bus or light rail service.

Transit even more important in 2025 and beyond

Especially with an increase in in-person work and our region’s growing population, transit offers many benefits. Compared to private vehicles, more people taking public transportation means shorter commuting times, lower stress levels, less pollution, reduced congestion, and cutting travel costs such as gasoline, insurance, maintenance and parking.

Transit will be even more important this year and in the years ahead. Since January 2025, vehicle traffic and transit ridership further increased as Amazon office staff resumed in-person work five days a week. In 2026, Seattle is hosting the FIFA Men’s World Cup, bringing hundreds of thousands of people from around the world to the Puget Sound region. Additionally, the Washington State Department of Transportation will be making major improvements to Interstate 5, with resulting changes, closures and detours also affecting alternate routes and side streets.

Transit is uniquely able to help large numbers of people get where they need to go safely and reliably, while enjoying the journey.

Making it easier to get around the Puget Sound

With more riders and strong support, ORCA transit agencies are continuing to expand and enhance transit service, leading efforts to combat climate change, and making transit more accessible, affordable and attractive to residents and visitors.

ORCA transit agencies want every trip to be safe and welcoming, and launched a safety and security webpage. The new info.myorca.com/safety provides clear expectations of riders, and invites customers to offer feedback on how agencies can make the transit experience even better.

Total boardings by transit agency and by region

Quotations

“People who travel in Snohomish County have so many more options now than they did a year ago as Community Transit works to transform service and meet the needs of every rider. With the expansion of bus rapid transit with Swift Orange Line, more local service, and easy connections to light rail, plus the addition of three Zip Shuttle zones, people are eager to take advantage of the value and convenience that public transit has to offer. The proof is significant ridership gains in every type of service we provide.” – Community Transit CEO Ric Ilgenfritz

“Surging transit ridership is evidence of a pent-up demand for safe, clean and reliable service. Agencies with a passion to connect with their customers and connect their customers with the places that matter most to them will be unstoppable and experience a continuous growth trajectory.” – Everett Transit Director Mike Schmieder

“Our riders chose to take 10 million more Metro trips in 2024 than the year before. And more people are taking transit more often in 2025, too. In the years ahead, we’re responding to communities’ desire for even more transit to better connect our riders to the people and destinations that are most important to them.” – King County Metro General Manager Michelle Allison

“It’s exciting to see ridership grow, and it’s also been interesting to watch how travel patterns have changed over the last year. Riders are seeing the benefits of using public transit for more than just getting to and from work every day.” – Kitsap Transit Executive Director John Clauson

“We are so pleased to see transit ridership continue to grow, not only in our own county, but throughout the Puget Sound region. People are depending more and more on the services we provide, demonstrating once again the important role public transportation plays in people’s everyday lives.” – Pierce Transit CEO Mike Griffus

“With the opening of the Northgate and Lynnwood light rail extensions, more and more people have discovered just how convenient transit is to get to entertainment, sporting events and work. As we extend across Lake Washington and south to Federal Way in the near future, we know that even more riders will be using light rail to enjoy everything our region has to offer.” – Sound Transit CEO Goran Sparrman

Promising careers

To support current and future service, agencies are hiring for electricians, facilities specialists, mechanics, operators and countless other openings. These positions offer a good salary, great benefits and the opportunity to build a career while serving your community. Together, our goal is to ensure transit is the #1 way to travel and the #1 place to work.

communitytransit.org/careers

everetttransit.org/ETcareers

kingcounty.gov/MetroCareers

kitsaptransit.com/agency-information/employment

piercetransit.attract.neogov.com

soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/jobs

Media contact

Sean Hawks, ORCA Mobility Partnerships Regional Marketing Committee Co-Chair, 206-263-3261, sean.hawks@kingcounty.gov