Summary

Starting February 1, King County Metro Transit will reserve parking spaces at six area park-and-rides until 8:30 a.m. for groups of two or more riders who display a free Carpool Parking Permit on their vehicle.

Story

Starting Feb. 1, reserved park-and-ride spaces open to carpool permit holders

Permit violations will be enforced between 4 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

Starting February 1, King County Metro Transit will reserve parking spaces at six area park-and-rides until 8:30 a.m. for groups of two or more riders who display a free Carpool Parking Permit on their vehicle.

After 8:30 a.m., permit spaces open to the general public.

Metro is offering Carpool Parking Permits through a pilot program at six of the busiest park-and-rides in King County, including Redmond, Issaquah Highlands, South Kirkland, South Renton, Northgate and Eastgate. The program is intended to better manage demand at park-and-rides, which often are already full or nearly full by early morning.

For some commuters, such as shift workers or working parents who have to drop off children at daycare, that can be a disadvantage.

Only a small number of spaces will be allocated to carpool permits at the start of the program, and most park-and-ride spaces still will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The number of reserved parking spaces will be based on the number of permits issued per location. Northgate has so far seen the highest number of permits issued. Ninety-four permits so far have been issued for all six park-and-rides together.

Metro’s program was designed to be integrated with Sound Transit’s new carpool permit program, which also offers permits at nine additional area park-and-rides.

More information is available at Metro’s Carpool Parking Permit website.

How to obtain a permit

Carpool Parking Permits are available through Republic Parking Northwest on an ongoing basis.

Applicants must provide basic contact information, ORCA card numbers, vanpool ID, or RideshareOnline.com email for each member of the carpool. Permits are free.

Regular transit use is not initially required to obtain a permit, but at least two carpool permit-holders must average three days of transit ridership per week (12 days per month) to stay qualified. Permits must be renewed monthly.  

Drivers who park in reserved spaces without a permit will be subject to two warnings – subsequent violations will result in having the vehicle towed. Metro also will step up enforcement for violations of general park-and-ride rules, with a focus on trouble spots at the Redmond, Northgate and Eastgate park-and-rides. During the first week of the Carpool Parking Permit program, Metro and Republic staff will be available at park-and-rides to inform customers of the changes and answer questions.

More information can be found at Metro’s Permit Parking website.

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