Fare-free transit boosts youth use of public transportation

By Mathew Willoughby

Seventh graders riding a Whatcom Transit Authority bus home from school.

It’s now easier for kids to ride public transportation than ever before. Why? Because it’s free!

In 2021, lawmakers helped transit agencies get rid of fares for youth 18 and under. As a result, kids took nearly 15 million trips on public transit in 2023. If you include rides on Washington State Ferries, that number shoots up to a whopping 16.5 million.

Youth can now go to school, get home, hang out with friends and not pay a dime. Kids don’t have to depend on someone else for their rides if they don’t have the money. Even better, families no longer have to set aside income for bus rides for their kids.

To get kids eager to ride the bus and take advantage of this new program, transit agencies in Washington and their partners used after-school field trips, social media posts and in-school presentations.

Don't know how to ride the bus? No problem! Our partners even stepped up to the plate to teach kids how to navigate confusing bus routes. Now, youth have greater access to what our state has to offer.

A student loads their bike onto the bus rack after school, ready for their free ride home.

Spreading the news

The results speak for themselves at King County Metro. To help get the word out, they launched the Free Youth Transit Pass program in 2022. In the program's first year, kids took over 7 million rides. But they didn’t accomplish this feat alone. They partnered with eight public transportation providers and our very own Washington State Ferries to pull this off.

King County Metro and its partners used TV ads, in-person events and the internet to get the word out. Their outreach got an average of 990 people to visit FreeYouthTransitPass.com daily. This was a 700 percent increase in visits than when they weren't directly reaching out to youth. Through working with their partners, they got kids eager to explore public transportation.

With more kids interested in taking advantage of this exciting program, King County Metro makes sure kids know how to use public transit safely and reliably. They come directly to the classroom to teach students all about bus safety during their education program. They even provide educational safety videos for grades 2-5 and 6-12 free for anyone to watch.

Further north in Whatcom County, the Whatcom Smart Trips program has been inspiring students to ride public transportation for over five years. The program teaches students how to safely and reliably use public transit at a young age. Now that kids can ride the bus for free, they are one step closer to achieving their big goal: Getting every seventh grader in the county to ride the bus at least once!

But why seventh graders? This bunch is too young to drive, and they depend on someone else for a ride unless they can walk, bike or ride the bus.

“Each year we find students to be more eager to ride the bus than the year before. Faces light up when suggested destinations are shared in our presentations,” Whatcom Smart Trips Program Manager Michelle Grandy said. “They’re especially excited when they learn the bus is free for them to ride.”

After students complete the program, Whatcom Smart Trips sees more kids on the bus. Now, instead of waiting for a ride to go home or hang out with friends after school, students can ride the bus for free.

These are just two of the many stories about improving access for everyone in Washington from our annual 2024 Public Transportation Mobility Report. In the report, you can read about the programs, partners and plans that work to bring people together through access to public transportation. Interested in getting into the data? Check out our annual 2023 Summary of Public Transportation.

Riders on the Cheney High Performance Transit Line.

For generations to come

Teaching kids how to safely and reliably ride the bus creates a new generation of public transportation riders. That means fewer drivers on the road, fewer carbon emissions and more access. Without our public transportation grants and Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, programs like this would not be possible.

Along with free rides, our funding gives kids (and grownups!) more access to jobs, healthcare, food and community in rural and urban areas.

And it's not only buses and city and county transit services: free youth fare started at Washington State Ferries in October 2022  and on Amtrak Cascades this past summer. Nearly 11,000 youths benefitted from fare-free trips on Amtrak Cascades between June (when the program was implemented) and August 2024. Implementation on Amtrak Cascades service was delayed while Amtrak updated its national ticketing system to align with the fare-free program.

Youth under 18 using public transit for free is an exciting milestone for the industry in Washington. We look forward to this new generation of bus, ferry and train riders.

Future I-405 bridges take shape at Northeast 85th Street

By: Julie Moon

A new year brings continued progress towards a new look to the I-405 interchange at Northeast 85th Street. Crews are working on the I-405/Northeast 85th Street and Inline BRT Station Project. From January 10 through January 13, they will finish setting 16 bridge girders for the new northbound I-405 bridge. Bridge girders are concrete beams that support the driving surface. They are the main structural component of a bridge. Crews will also conduct drainage work on the right shoulder of northbound I-405.

This complex work requires the weekend closure of Northeast 85th Street, just as we did last November. This closure is essential for ensuring the safety of both workers and the public.

January full closure details

Northeast 85th Street will close in both directions beginning at 11 p.m. Friday, January 10 to 4 a.m. Monday, January 13. The closure is between Kirkland Way/114th Avenue Northeast and 120th Avenue Northeast. The I-405 on- and off-ramps from Northeast 85th Street will also be closed during this time. Crews will begin to reduce lanes and close ramps as early as 9 p.m. on Friday night.

Signed detours will be in place for drivers and detour maps can be viewed by clicking on the links below:

Northeast 85th Street vehicle detour routes. The linked image shows a map of the detour route for Northeast 85th Street Closure:

• Eastbound: Use Sixth St SE, NE 68th Pl, and 120th Ave NE.
• Westbound: Use 120th Ave NE, NE 68th Pl, and Sixth St SE.

Northeast 85th Street pedestrian and cyclist detour routes. The linked image shows a map of the pedestrian and cyclist route during the Northeast 85th Street closure:

• Eastbound:
• Use crosswalk at Kirkland Way/114th Ave NE.
• Turn right, go south on the pedestrian path.
• Keep left to continue on 116th Ave NE.
• Left onto pedestrian bridge.
• Left onto NE 80th Street.
• Left onto 120th Ave NE.
• Westbound:
• Left onto 120th Ave NE.
• Right onto NE 80th Street.
• Right onto pedestrian bridge.
• Right onto 116th Ave NE.
• Keep right on the pedestrian path.
• Use the crosswalk at Kirkland Way/114th Ave NE if needed.

Northeast 85th Street to northbound I-405 on-ramp closure detour routes. The linked image shows a map of the detour route for the northbound I-405 on-ramp closure:

• Eastbound: Use Central Way, Sixth Street South, then on-ramp at 116th Avenue Northeast.
• Westbound: Use 124th Avenue Northeast, then on-ramp at Northeast 124th Street.

Northbound I-405 off-ramp to Northeast 85th Street closure detour routes. The linked image shows the detour route:

• Use Exit 20A to 124th Ave NE, then return to NE 85th St.

Northeast 85th Street to southbound I-405 on-ramp closure detour routes. The linked image shows the detour route:

• Eastbound: Take Sixth Street Southeast, then Northeast 68th Place, using the on-ramp at Northeast 70th Street.
• Westbound: Take 120th Avenue Northeast and use the on-ramp at Northeast 70th Street.

Southbound I-405 off-ramp to Northeast 85th Street closure detour routes. The linked image shows the detour route:

• Eastbound: Take southbound I-405, Exit 17 at Northeast 70th Street, then 120th Avenue Northeast to Northeast 85th Street.
• Westbound: Take southbound I-405, Exit 17 at Northeast 68th Place, then Sixth Street Southeast to Central Way.

Full closure of Northeast 85th Street and I-405 on- and off-ramps.

Expect more congestion and plan for extra travel time during the closure. Use alternate routes and travel during off-peak hours if possible. The schedule is subject to change due to the nature of construction. We will post updates on the project webpage.

Please drive carefully through the construction work zone. Be sure your full attention is dedicated to maintaining safety for everyone on the road.

Successful southbound bridge girder setting in November

Back in November, crews installed big concrete girders for the new southbound freeway bridge. To get it done, we had to close Northeast 85th Street for the whole weekend. It was a success, but drivers saw some extra congestion—and you can expect something similar during the upcoming closure.

Each girder was up to 156 feet long, stretching across the whole street, which is why a full closure is needed. Setting these huge bridge girders takes a lot of skill, planning, and space to make sure everything is done safely.

Crews setting bridge girders on 85th Street on Nov.16, 2024.

What’s all this construction for?

This project is all about building a new station for Sound Transit’s new Stride bus rapid transit. This project makes it easier and safer for people walking or biking across I-405. It also adds a direct connection for transit and ETL users. A big part of making this happen is the new bridges and the three-level interchange at Northeast 85th Street. These bridges will create space for the middle level of the interchange, which will be a busy hub for transit riders, carpoolers, cyclists, pedestrians, and ETL users.

The project will replace the existing two-level interchange at Northeast 85th Street with a three-level interchange.

Join us at our next quarterly project update webinar

At the meeting, there will be an opportunity to learn more about the upcoming construction work, ask questions, and find out how to stay informed. The project team will hold this meeting via Zoom from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4.

Not able to make it? We will post a recording to the project webpage within one week after the meeting. Please feel free to register for the meeting even if you can’t attend, and we will email you the recording when it’s available.

We strive to host inclusive, accessible meetings that enable all people to engage and participate fully. To request meeting accommodations, or for questions about accessibility, please call us at (425) 224-2423 or email us at I405SR167Program@wsdot.wa.gov by Monday, Jan 27.

Check out the WSDOT real-time travel map for up-to-date information. If you have any questions and/or you would like to sign up for project updates, please email I405SR167Program@wsdot.wa.gov. Stay informed by subscribing to WSDOT updates for King County.

‘They Can Feel Like Little Superheroes’: How We’re Helping Students Gain Bike Skills Statewide

By Hannah Weinberger

Students are all smiles during an in-school bicycle education class.

For many of us, learning to ride a bicycle during childhood was our first taste of transportation freedom. But not everyone gets that opportunity or feels confident on a bike when they do. We’re managing an initiative to change this.

The Statewide School-Based Bicycle Education Program teaches bike skills and can provide new bikes and safety equipment. The program is now in its second year. It has already educated more than 12,000 kids across Washington. It’s also given more than 1,000 students new bikes and safety equipment.

One of those children is fifth grader Alex Villa-Gomez in Orondo. He received his first bicycle through the program. His mother, Maria Gomez, shared that she didn’t have an opportunity to learn to ride when she was younger. She’s excited to know her son and many other children are getting this opportunity.

The program will train at least 90% of Washington students in 3rd through 12th grades to safely ride to and from school, for fitness and for fun. Students and schools can join at no extra cost.

Students who use adaptive bicycles participate in the Statewide School-Based Bicycle Education Program.

Putting education in motion

State legislators established the program in 2022. They funded it through the Move Ahead Washington transportation package with Climate Commitment Act revenues. Legislators wanted to help students become more capable bicyclists by learning skills and street safety.

There are many reasons to support children in learning to ride. Bike riding is a fun and useful way to build exercise and time outdoors into a child’s day. It helps students develop motor skills, improve their mood, concentrate in school and even do better on tests. Importantly, it also helps students realize early that there are many ways to travel. Bike education highlights transportation options. If students choose to drive when they get older, their biking experience will help them stay aware of people who choose not to drive.

Legislators wanted an experienced non-profit partner to deliver the education.

A contractor search led us to Cascade Bicycle Club. Cascade has provided bicycle education to students in Puget Sound since 2014. We contracted with Cascade to adjust and expand their work for a statewide audience. The program launched with both in-school and after-school programs in 2023.

It has since expanded quickly. The program grew 75% between it first and second years, serving 70 schools in 13 counties. More than half of students live in overburdened communities, or those facing multiple environmental and health harms.

Parents say their students are already getting more exercise. Plus, they feel more confident and independent!

Students participating in the Statewide School-Based Bicycle Education Program learn about different hand signals to use while bicycling. 

How the program works

Students have opportunities to learn the ropes both in and after school.

In-school programming:

• 3rd through 5th grades: Physical education and health teachers share the “Let’s Go” curriculum in their classes. It covers learning to ride, as well as the rules of the road. Teachers use the provided materials over four or five weeks, with about two 30-minute lessons each week.
• 6th through 8th grades: In 2023, Cascade started piloting the “Let’s Go Further” curriculum. Some schools have existing bicycles from a previous Safe Routes to School program. This provides “Let’s Go” to older students at those schools.

After-school programming:

• 6th through 12th grades: Teachers from local partner organizations lead students after school. Classes might be held on school grounds or at partner facilities. This 26-lesson course covers everything from learning to ride to using bikes as transportation. Teachers start with the first course or jump ahead depending on students’ existing knowledge. The program can last a few weeks to an entire academic year. After-school students also learn trip planning so they can organize safe trips and bike maintenance so they can fix their own bikes.

All students can receive a new bicycle and safety equipment like helmets, locks and lights after completing the program.

A bicycle education student practices their bike handling skills. 

Cascade also trains staff on overseeing the program for network schools. Schools manage their own bicycle fleets, maintenance, budgets and staff training schedules. Cascade provides free full-day training directly to teachers on how to do these things. They also provide guidance and support as needed. So far, 183 teachers have taken the training, and 14 teachers have been tapped to train their peers.

Teachers enjoy sharing bike skills with students. One instructor shared that it helps kids develop a growth mindset, and – we love this – “feel like little superheroes.” They feel strong, and good about themselves.

More bike skills, more opportunities

Our program works with partners to include students who may need accommodations to participate. That’s because learning to ride a bike can completely change a student’s life for the better.

Take Tacoma high schooler Visett. He shared with his school’s special needs educator that he wanted to learn to ride last year. The educator partnered with Cascade Bicycle Club’s after-school program manager. Both adults started meeting with Visett weekly after school and loaned him a bike to practice with at home.

Within three weeks, Visett replaced his daily 30-minute walk to school with bike trips. By the end of the school year, he earned a Bicycling Certificate of Achievement along with a new bike, helmet, lock and lights.

Bicycling is already helping Visett access new opportunities. He is riding to the local library and his new job at Safeway. He is also teaching himself more bike skills. After getting a flat tire, Visett used a school computer to learn how to fix it himself.

Looking ahead

We expect the program to reach up to 160,000 youth by the end of 2027. By then we’ll have the help of more than three times as many partner organizations. Parents or school staff interested to learn more about the program or when it might come to your community can visit Cascade Bicycle Club’s website.

Another wave of improved pavement comes to southbound I-5 in Vancouver, with more to come in the years ahead

By Sarah Hannon-Nein

Great news for the saga of I-5 pavement replacement in Clark County! The infamous southbound I-5 pavement between 179th Street and the I-5/I-205 split has been a rough ride for a long time—but after a recent project, and more planned in the years ahead, we have updates about the highway that just keep on giving – or, in this case, cracking.

Aged-out I-5 pavement in Clark County

If you live in or travel through Clark County, you’re probably familiar with the bumpy surface between Ridgefield and the I-5/I-205 split. We put up Rough Road signs earlier this year. This stretch of highway includes 8,400 concrete panels which are 50 to 70 years old and past due for replacement, and well beyond their expected lifespan.

Left, uneven concrete panels with visible cracks and seams. Center, a large crack with discoloration from spilled fluids. Right, more cracks and surface damage, along with dark stains on the concrete.

These panels, which carry some of the highest traffic volumes in the state, are worn out, cracked and need repair or replacement. Working on thousands of panels takes time and money, so we're using multiple contracts over multiple years. With increased traffic and extreme weather, the panels fail faster each year, and we don't have enough funding to fix them as quickly as they are failing. With only about 40% of the funding needed to maintain our highway system, we have to make hard choices about what we can fix and when.

The good news!

WSDOT contractor crews spent this fall putting $2.3 million to use to address the “worst of the worst” panels and, by taking advantage of favorable materials cost, took care of over 80 panels instead of the 40-45 previously planned. Will you still notice a bumpy ride? Yes. But the panels in the roughest shape have been replaced! It’s a small, but important improvement.

Left, a worker uses a jackhammer near traffic cones and barriers. Center, a concrete mixer truck pours fresh concrete onto the road. Right, a close-up of finished concrete panels with visible grooves and seams.

What’s next?

Our next project is slotted for 2026 and while it will be a big challenge, it will bring a long-term solution for a smoother and safer drive. We'll also be doing something new in this stretch of highway to reduce traffic delays and keep costs low so we can fix more of the problem sooner.

Enter the crack, seat and overlay process.

In summer 2026, all southbound lanes and shoulders between 179th Street and the I-5/I-205 split will be paved with asphalt over the existing concrete panels. This marks a major step for this troubled section of I-5.

So why are we using asphalt instead of replacing all those concrete panels? Replacing every panel would be a never-ending project with a very high cost, meaning it would take more contracts and more years to complete as funding became available.

Here’s how the crack, seat and overlay process will work:

Crack: We start by cracking the old concrete panels. This is done using a machine that essentially breaks the concrete into smaller pieces. It looks like a small guillotine dropping a heavy weight onto the panels every few feet.

Seat: Once cracked, a large 35,000-pound steel compactor on wheels rolls over the broken pieces, pressing them down to make sure they’re firmly seated into the ground.

Overlay: We lay down a few inches of new asphalt, building it up gradually until we reach 9 inches. This slow layering is important to ensure the new overlay is packed in tightly, creating a smooth and durable driving surface.

This process will take time and every bit of dry weather we can get. Hopefully if funding can be identified in 2027, the work will continue between Ridgefield and 179th Street.

This isn’t a quick fix, and we’re looking at more years of work to finish repairing this stretch of I-5. Until then, you’ll still see Rough Road signs as we continue to do this work. We’re making progress–one crack at a time. Thank you for your patience while we work on this major improvement for Southwest Washington!