Transit-Oriented Communities Program

Transit-oriented communities

Transit-oriented communities (TOCs) encourage less driving and more transit use because people can get to their preferred transit mode easily and conveniently. This is possible because transit, housing, and other necessities have been planned for and built with better connections between them.

TOCs promote sustainable growth around transit hubs, as people will not need to depend on a car to go to places where they work, learn, play, and run errands. TOCs also prioritize diverse, affordable housing near transit, improving living costs.

Metro supports thriving communities through TOCs, promoting equity, climate action, and better transit. It works with partners, plans transit-oriented development, and advocates for transit-friendly policies.

Transit-oriented development

Transit-oriented development (TOD) is dense, mixed-use development within a 10-minute walk of frequent transit. Typical TODs have:

• Mix of stores and homes.
• Different housing types, including affordable options and active ground floors with schools, shops, and offices.
• Better ways to walk, bike, and travel safely with improved streets, sidewalks, and intersections.
• Safe street layouts, connections, and features to calm traffic.
• Less parking and smart parking plans to save space and use it efficiently.
• Thoughtful city design.

Recent TODs in King County, like Thornton Place (Northgate) and Metropolitan Place (Renton), the Village (Overlake Station), downtown Redmond, and Burien, enhance communities with transit access, mixed-use design, and affordable housing. Extensions of light rail further improve transit and TOD opportunities.

TOD project list