RapidRide H Line
Burien to Downtown Seattle
Metro's RapidRide H Line brings a new level of frequent transit service to Burien, White Center and Delridge. The H Line operates between the Burien Transit Center and Downtown Seattle at Third Avenue and Virginia Street every day of the week, almost every hour of the day. The H Line replaces Metro Route 120, consistently one of our busiest routes.
On many parts of the route, the H Line travels in red designated bus lanes with special traffic-light priority for faster service. Boarding is also faster with RapidRide buses, especially if you have an ORCA card or valid paper transfer. Tap your ORCA card at station readers along the route and board through either of the two back doors, along with all riders who have a valid paper transfer in hand. No reader at the station? Tap your ORCA card when you board through any door.
In this section
RapidRide features
With RapidRide, upgraded service comes with new coaches and new bus stations. Safety features include improved lighting, pedestrian crossings, and better sidewalk and bus station access for people with wheelchairs and strollers. As on all RapidRide lines, H Line riders have access to real-time bus arrival signs at stations and Wi-Fi once on board.
Reliable service.
Buses that come more often and on time.
Better access.
Designed to meet the needs of all our customers.
High quality experience.
New bus station features for comfort and convenience.
Connecting communities.
Bringing better service for more people. Connections to transit. Getting people to where they need to go.
Sustainable.
Fewer cars on the road.
How to pay your fare
Use an ORCA card
At stations with ORCA card readers, tap your card and board through any bus door.
At other stops, enter through any door of the bus and tap your card on the ORCA card reader.
Valid transfer
If you have a valid paper transfer, you can enter through any door of your bus. Paper transfers are your proof of payment until they expire.
Transit GO app
Open your Transit GO Ticket mobile app and purchase a ticket. When you’re ready to board, activate the ticket. Show the payment screen to the driver as you enter through the front door.
Cash or tickets
Enter through the front door and pay your fare. If you're paying with cash, please have the exact fare ready. Drivers do not carry change.
The driver will always give you a paper transfer when paying with cash or using a paper ticket. Keep it with you to transfer to any other bus before the expiration time.
Limited edition ORCA card now available!
To celebrate the RapidRide H Line and the communities it serves, artist Jovita Mercado has designed a limited-edition ORCA card with support from 4Culture. These special cards will be available at Metro’s Pass Sales office and at community events while supplies last.
Thanks to our RapidRide H Line project partners!
King County
City of Seattle
City of Burien
Construction updates
Virtual open house
Join King County Metro every last Thursday of the month from 5 p.m.–6 p.m. for ongoing construction discussions with community.
Join ZOOM meeting
Meeting ID: 228 271 1759
Please note, meetings are subject to change according to holiday schedules. Sign up to receive updates.
The majority of construction is expected to last through March 2023 with some construction to last into the summer. As construction moves forward, our team will share information about what to expect and how to continue traveling by bus in the area. Please sign up for project updates to stay informed on RapidRide H Line construction activity.
Three rounds of public outreach over the past several years have had an important influence on the project’s final design. Community input helped to inform routing, stop locations, station amenities and safety and access improvements. For more information, reports can be found here: Phase 1, Phase 2, and summary of RR H Line outreach. Please visit the Metro Matters Blog for more information about the construction activity.
What to expect during construction
Typical work hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with some nighttime and weekend work. You can expect:
- Noise, vibrations and dust in the project area.
- Temporary parking restrictions.
- Periodic lane and driveway closures.
- Large machinery and truck activity.
- Construction staging and parking impacts near the construction site.
- Some sidewalk, intersection and lane closures.
- Detours for people walking, biking and rolling.
- Temporary bus detours and a handful of bus stop relocations for the H Line and other transit routes.
- Flaggers to direct traffic around work areas.
We will provide notifications to businesses and residents ahead of construction activities in the area.
Frequently asked questions
Typical work hours for the RapidRide H Line project are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with some nighttime and weekend work. Majority of construction is expected to last through March 2023 with some construction to last beyond 2023.
Access to businesses will be maintained throughout construction. We are reaching out to neighbors, businesses and local community organizations in advance of construction near them to share when and where work will happen, as well as what impacts to expect.
Construction on RapidRide H Line was previously delayed due to a region-wide concrete driver worker strike, supply chain issues and limited availability of materials. Visit our website to read more about how King County is managing delays due to concrete supply issues.
The supply chain issues impacting construction projects across the region, specifically the limited and unpredictable availability of concrete, has resulted in crews balancing the work they can do with what materials are available to continue that work. In order to maintain the overall project schedule, we have begun several new locations where crews have the resources and materials to complete the work, while also pausing some work at other locations, as necessary. Crews are continuing to make progress on work throughout the project area and we look forward to being able to wrap up work at some sites throughout the project area later this summer.
Where crews are doing construction varies week by week. For more details about the locations where work is ongoing, refer to the construction map, attend a virtual open house or visit our blog for more information. You can also sign up for project updates.
Stay connected
Contact us
RapidRide Community Engagement
- Email: rapidride@kingcounty.gov
- Construction hotline: 206-257-3079
