Accessibility on buses
One of Metro’s core values is equity. We proudly provide accessible service to riders with disabilities across our entire transit system, including aboard our buses.
Buses and accessible stops
Lifts, ramps and kneeling buses
All Metro buses have wheelchair accessible lifts with ramps inside the front door. Whether you’re using a mobility device or just need some extra help boarding or exiting, please ask your driver for the lift. Our buses can also kneel, which means the floor of the bus is lowered to meet you closer to the sidewalk.
Accessible bus stops
Make sure your bus stop is accessible before you travel. This means that the bus lift can only be used at certain bus stops. Look for one of these stickers at your bus stop to see if you can board or exit with help from the lift/ramp. :
For accessible bus stop information, you can also call Metro at 206-553-3000.
Boarding with your wheelchair
Riding Metro buses with your wheelchair? Watch our rider Saan and driver Paul give tips on how to use the ramp, steer your wheelchair into the priority seating area and locate accessible stops when you ride.
Calling out bus stops
Metro buses have automated audio and visual stop announcements and reader boards. Both of these systems will let you know when the bus has reached your stop. Our buses also feature audio announcements on the outside, to inform you of a bus’ route and destination as it pulls into your stop.
What Metro does
All of Metro Transit's drivers receive training about the importance of stop and route announcements. Metro's policy is to announce all stops and all routes of bus zones where more than one bus route stops.
Metro worked with blind, visually impaired, and cognitively disabled riders to create our current stop announcement system and our driver training program. Drivers use the automated stop announcement system on buses when available. If the system is not available, Metro requires drivers to use a microphone or speak loudly to announce stops and routes.
Priority seating
If the priority seats are full and you need to sit at the front of the bus, please tell the driver. The driver will ask riders in the priority area to make a seat available for you if possible, but they are not required to move. Please remember, some disabilities are not visible and no disability has priority over another.
Riding with your mobility device
Your mobility device can be taken on the bus if you can load it safely on board and it can be secured safely. Mobility devices fitting the following descriptions are allowed on the bus and must be secured in the priority area or folded under your seat.
- Designed or modified for and used by individuals with mobility impairments; and
- Useable indoors; and
- Can be powered up and down or operated manually.
Non-traditional mobility aids must be secured or stored under or between the seats.
If you have any concerns about your mobility device fitting on the bus, you can set up an appointment with Metro's Transit Instructors. They can also help you find the best way to secure your device.
Help when riding
Sometimes it’s the little things that make it possible to ride the bus with a disability, and our drivers are here to help! Maybe you need a driver to tap your ORCA card. Or to stop the bus where you can board or exit with less trouble. Metro drivers make these exceptions whenever possible, so please ask. If a driver cannot help with your request, they should tell you why. If you feel uncomfortable with any trip, please contact Metro Customer Service.
Special assistance
In the mid 80’s, Metro staff and an advisory committee of blind and DeafBlind transit users worked together to create the use of special assistance cards and bus identifier kits. These tools can be used by passengers with disabilities—and riders with limited communication skills—to tell drivers which routes they’d like to ride.
Special assistance cards
- A special assistance card is made of paper and comes in four colors.
- Larger cards include space for you or a helper to write in your name, where you are going and your bus route(s).
- Smaller cards—available in orange and pink—include space to list your emergency contact information.
There are four colors of special assistance cards
| Card color | Rider profile |
|---|---|
| White | Blind riders |
| Yellow | Deaf/Blind riders |
| Orange | Limited English proficiency riders |
| Pink | Riders with limited communication skills |
Bus identifier kits
Bus identifier kits are made of hard plastic and held together with a spiral plastic binding. They come in two colors and feature bus route numbers and letters (and other transportation options) on the front of their tabs.
There are two colors of bus identifier kits
| KIt color | Rider profile |
|---|---|
| White | Blind riders |
| Yellow | Deaf/Blind riders |
Steps for riders using a special assistance card or bus identifier kit
Service animals and pets
Service animals
- Service animals for persons with disabilities can ride Metro for free.
- Service dogs animals must remain on their owner's lap or on the floor, without blocking the aisle. If this is not an option, the service animal may occupy a seat if one is available.
Pets
- Small dogs who remain on their owner's lap ride for free. Fare for all other dogs must be paid.
- Pets other than dogs are not allowed on Metro unless they are in a carrier. Fare is not required.
If a service animal's or pet’s behavior threatens the safety or comfort of the driver or other passengers, their owner will be asked to exit the bus along with the animal. Boarding can also be denied from the beginning of a trip for safety reasons.
FAQ
The seats at the front of the Metro buses flip up to create a space for your wheelchair, scooter, or walker etc..
Your mobility device must be strapped in facing the front of the bus, except on most RapidRide buses that also have a passive restraint area.
Shoulder and lap belts are not required, but are available upon request.
Use the seat belt-type straps to keep your mobility device steady. Drivers will look to make sure that your device is secured safely before leaving the stop. If you have a mobility device that is difficult to secure, consider contacting Metro's Transit Instruction program for assistance in figuring out the best way to stay safe.
Walkers and other mobility devices should be stored out of the aisle either strapped in or folded and stored under your seat. These devices cannot be used to sit on during your ride.
If you need help securing your mobility device, let the driver know when you get on the bus and they can help.
Let the driver know where you will be getting off when you board the bus. This will help them park the bus properly at your stop.
Most buses have a yellow push button strip or red stop request button on the bottom of the priority area’s flip-up seats. About a block before your stop, press the strip button. The bell will ring and a will light will let the driver to use the lift or ramp. You can also ask the driver for the lift/ramp and help undoing your safety straps again.
Most RapidRide buses have a passive restraint area behind the driver.
Within our passive restraint area, you can wheel into place without bus operator assistance. Just back up your wheelchair into the area cushion and set your brake. The foldable armrest prevents your wheelchair from tipping over and provides more support.
The use of safety belts is unnecessary for most situations, but you can request one. (Your driver should provide one if your route has a steep uphill or downhill climb.).
Your driver will make sure you are secure in the passive restraint area and that your brake is set.
Accessible strollers are not just for children with disabilities. If someone with a disability has a child, they may use the priority seating area for their stroller.
If you have a child with a disability or you yourself have a disability and cannot safely hold your child during the bus ride, you may request that the stroller be secured and your child remain in the stroller. When boarding the bus, an adult should ride the lift up with their child to control the stroller.
Accessible strollers may have a Metro-approved sticker (not required). For more information on how to get a sticker, contact Metro Customer Service.
Segways can be taken on Metro buses if you have a disability.
Before you can ride Metro with your Segway you will need to provide documentation of your disability, receive Segway securement training from Metro staff, and affix an approved Metro sticker to your Segway.
To keep you, other riders, and Metro equipment safe, follow these rules when riding with your Segway:
- Do not ride the Segway while getting on or off the bus.
- You must secure your Segway on the bus, but operators are still required to check and verify that the securement has been done correctly and/or help if you ask.
- The wheels of the Segway should be in the securement area against the bus wall, centered between the rear securement and front securement.
- The rear securement, against the bus wall, attaches to the base of the Segway tiller.
- The forward securement, next to the wheel well, attaches to the base of the Segway tiller.