FAQ

Our official name is the Central Puget Sound Youth Transit Alliance, but we go by Sound Youth Transit Alliance. Some abbreviations you may see include CSYTA or SYTA.

And about transit in general:

KCM - King County Metro.
ST - Sound Transit.
Link 1 Line or Link 2 Line refers to Link Light Rail, the metro want-to-be train system in Seattle.
SLU Streetcar - South Lake Union Streetcar that primarily travels on Westlake Ave.
CID - Chinatown/International District. This is both a historical district in Seattle and the name of a light rail station.
Sounder does not refer to the sports team, rather the commuter rail line named after them.
A Transfer ticket: a valid fare that you've already paid. Once an ORCA card is tapped, it will never charge the same fare for the next two hours. For example, if you board a KCM bus at 10:00 AM, which costs $2.75, and then a Link Light Rail train at 11:00 AM, which costs $3.00, your total cost for that trip will be $3.00. The timing is based on when you tap your ORCA card.

What does a member have to do?

A member isn’t required to do anything. But you’ll get access to surveys, feedback platforms, and opportunities to shape transit improvements in your local area. You can be as active or as hands-off as you like.

What’s the difference between a member and a leadership role?

Members support our mission by staying informed, sharing feedback, and participating in surveys or events when they can. Leadership team members, on the other hand, are actively involved in organizing projects, creating content, managing outreach, and shaping the direction of SYTA. It’s a bigger commitment, but also a bigger opportunity to lead, collaborate, and make an impact.

Who can join?

Anyone aged 12–19 who lives in King, Pierce, or Snohomish counties and cares about better transportation is welcome — no experience needed. Whether you’re a bus rider, a cyclist, or just want to help your community, there’s a place for you.

What does CSYTA actually do?

We advocate for smarter, more accessible public transit by:

Proposing new bus routes and redesigns
Giving public comments at board meetings
Producing videos, maps, and visuals
Gathering feedback from youth riders
Connecting with local planners and agencies

Is this a club or a nonprofit?

We’re a youth-led advocacy group. Think of us as a mix between a student organization and a civic project. Our long-term goal is to become a registered nonprofit, but we’re starting by building youth-led momentum.

Note: We are not yet a registered nonprofit, so donations made to us are not tax-deductible. We plan to explore official nonprofit status as we grow.

Can I help if I don’t know much about transit?

Yes! If you care about your community, you’re qualified. We’ll help you learn the rest — whether it’s how to comment at meetings, read a route map, or understand what “ST4” means.

- - -

General Transit Questions

What is the Seattle Light Rail system called?

Seattle's light rail is called Link Light Rail. Each line number reflects the order in which it was built and opened. Link Light Rail is operated by Sound Transit, the regional transit authority in the Puget Sound region.

How do I get from the Airport to Downtown Seattle?

To get to Downtown Seattle, follow signs for "Ground Transportation" at the airport. Then, follow signs for "Link Light Rail." You'll need to walk past the parking garage in a dedicated pathway. Once you're at the station, take the 1 Line towards Lynnwood City Center.

For trips to Bellevue/Redmond or Tacoma/Lakewood, follow signs for "Public Transit Buses." The bus stop is located near the international arrivals area. Proceed away from the airport building to reach the bus stop. Then, take 560E for trips to Bellevue, or 574 for trips to Tacoma or Lakewood.

How do I pay for transit?

Here are multiple ways to pay for transit:

ORCA Card

All transit trips in the Puget Sound region can be paid with an ORCA Card, One Regional Card for All. ORCA cards can be purchased at all link light rail stations, select RapidRide stations, and King County Metro's Customer Service facility.

Pros:

Easy to use - no need to worry about different fare types.
Faster trips - tickets don't need to be purchased before every trip.
Transfer tickets - your transfer fare is automatically applied to your next trip.

Cons:

ORCA vending machines can only issue adult fares.
An ORCA card costs $3.00.

Transit GO App

The Transit GO app can be used to purchase tickets. Once you register on the app and link a payment method, you can purchase tickets prior to boarding a bus, streetcar, monorail, light rail, even the water taxi.

Pros:

All types of fares (ie. Adult, Senior) are available on the app.
No extra cost for using the Transit GO app.

Cons:

Use requires a smartphone with data.
All modes are separate - transfer ticket is not available when switching modes.

Cash & Paper Tickets

All public transit in Seattle can either accept cash onboard or allow you to purchase a paper ticket. When taking King County Metrobuses, you will receive a paper transfer ticket which can be used to board other KCM buses.

Pros:

No need to download any apps or get a transit card.

Cons:

Slower trips - ticket aquisition required prior to every trip.
No transfer ticket - While KCM does offer a paper transfer ticket, it can only be used on KCM buses, not on Link Light Rail or the Monorail.
Use of cash onboard buses requires exact change.

How often does transit run? Is it reliable?

Transit frequency varies by area and line. Link Light Rail runs appx. every 8-12 minutes, while RapidRide buses run every 10-15 minutes. Most local bus routes in Downtown Seattle run every 15 minutes, and the Seattle Center Monorail runs every 10 minutes. Rider tip: weekday frequencies are usually better than weekend frequencies.

Transit is mostly reliable. You can almost always expect a delay of about 2-5 minutes, but most bus routes (except rt. 8) are somewhat on-time. Some Sound Transit Express buses may be less punctual due to traffic (Rt. 566, 560, 578, etc.).

Is public transportation safe at night? During the day?

Public transportation in Seattle is safe, especially during the day. Most problems at night are not because of public transit, rather the 'sidewalk lingerers.' On that note, always stay alert and watch your belongings.

For those who may not feel comfortable walking by themselves, you can call Seattle SafeWalk at 206-441-3303. Downtown ambassadors are able to walk with you to destinations within Downtown Seattle and Pioneer Square.

Do I need a car in Seattle, or can I rely on transit?

For the most part, a car is not needed in Seattle. Most if not all tourist attractions, as well as non-tourist attractions, are accessible by transit. Driving in Seattle can be stressful, between finding parking, watching out for pedestrians, being stuck in traffic, etc. If there's a certain trip that must be done by car, consider taking an Uber or getting a carshare vehicle.

What’s the difference between Sound Transit and King County Metro?

Sound Transit, officially the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority, is responsible for ST Express buses, Link Light Rail, and the Sounder Commuter train. Sound Transit is also managing new light rail expansions in the region.

King County Metro, on the other hand, operates local buses, streetcars (funded by the City of Seattle), and the Water Taxi (not to be confused with WA Ferries or Kitsap Fast Ferry).

Here are some ways to distinguish these two agencies:

Sound Transit vehicles have their signature blue wave painted on the sides.
King County Metro bus numbers will always start with a 'K', while Sound Transit bus numbers will start with a 'P', 'C', or 'K', depending on the operating partner.

- - -

Getting Around Seattle on Transit

How do I get to tourist spots like Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, or UW by transit?

To get to Pike Place Market, the best way is often... wait for it... walk. Of course, if you have difficulty walking, Pike Place Market is accessible by car. However, due to its geographical location, there is no public transit directly adjacent to Pike Place. However, there is a free waterfront shuttle that stops nearby, and routes 10, 11, and 49 also stop near Westlake Station.

To get to Space Needle, the best way is to take the Seattle Center Monorail. The monorail can be taken from Westlake Center's 3rd floor. Trains run approximately every 10 minutes.

The fastest way to get to the University of Washington is by taking the Link Light Rail. If you’re going directly to the UW campus, get off at University of Washington Station. If you’re heading to the surrounding neighborhood, shops, or housing, U-District Station may be more convenient.

What’s the best way to get from Seattle to Bellevue/Eastside?

To get to Bellevue from Seattle, there is, unfortunately, not rail option yet. The 2 Line, which will hopefully open in 2026, is set to bridge the gap - literally. The Sound Transit 550 Express bus provides fast, frequent service between Seattle and Bellevue, usually running every 10-15 minutes. The 550 stops at Mercer Island P&R, South Bellevue 2 Line Station, Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue Square / Bellevue Collection, Bellevue Transit Center, The Shops at Bravern, and Bellevue Library.

To get to Kirkland from Seattle, take the Link 1 Line to University of Washington Station (NOT U-District). Then, take 255 (Totem Lake TC) to Kirkland. Be advised, if you're headed to downtown Kirkland, don't get off at South Kirkland P&R.

To get to Redmond from Seattle, take Sound Transit Route 550 to South Bellevue Station, as shown above. From there, transfer to the Link 2 Line and ride the train toward Downtown Redmond.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse