Access Transportation

When snow or ice is predicted, Access might be affected.

To see if your trips are delayed or canceled:

• Check for service advisories.
• Call us at 206-205-5000 (WA Relay: 711).

If Access service is suspended:

• Vehicles may still be available for emergency services.
• Access will try to provide service to customers when notified of an essential trip.
• Staff will make the final decision about whether your trip can still be provided safely.

Service animals for persons with disabilities can ride Access for free.

Service 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 Access 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 van along with the animal. Boarding can also be denied from the beginning of a trip for safety reasons.

For visitors

If you live outside of our Washington state Puget Sound region and have a disability that prevents you from riding our traditional bus service, you may qualify as a visitor under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

To qualify:

• You are certified ADA eligible by another transit provider
• You can provide necessary documentation of a disability; or
• You self-certify that your disability prevents you from using Metro’s regular transit transportation system. 

You may then use Metro’s Access Transportation for a total of 21 days within a 365-day period. If you use Access Transportation services for more than 21 days within the 365-day period, you must apply for regular ADA paratransit eligibility with King County Metro.

To ride as a visitor

To establish visitor status, contact Access’s Transportation Certification Office at 206-263-3113 before you travel to King County. Visitor Service requests are completed by staff within one business day of receiving them.

• Contact Access up to two hours before your pick-up window begins and you will not receive a penalty.
• Call the Access Rideline at 206-205-5000 (WA Relay: 711) or use the online Access Trip Manager.

You may receive a penalty if you cannot or do not cancel your ride with enough notice to Access.

• If you cancel less than two hours before your pickup window starts, you will be considered late and receive half a point penalty.
• If you cancel after your 30-minute pickup window starts, you will receive a full point penalty.

Even if you cannot cancel early, please contact us as soon as possible, especially if you have other trips scheduled that same day. If you are assigned two or less penalty points per month, you will not face consequences.

Possible suspension

If you receive three or more penalty points recorded in one month, Access will need to review your trips and eligibility to ride.

• We will look at each ride where points were assigned and see if anything was out of your control/you were incorrectly given penalty points. If a correction is necessary, we’ll make it for you.
• If something negative occurs on at least 15% of your rides, we may suggest suspension and notify you with a mailed letter. Let’s work together and ensure this doesn’t happen for you.

No penalty points will be recorded if you have to cancel your trip late or did not board the vehicle because of something Access has done.