COVID-19
For the latest COVID-19 health guidance, statistics and resources, visit Coronavirus.wa.gov.
Most of Washington’s transit providers are still operating, many at reduced levels of scheduled service. To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, transit agencies are expanding their efforts to keep buses, trains and paratransit vehicles clean. They are also getting the word out to the public about what they are doing, as well as how riders can help control the spread of the virus.
In addition, some transit agencies and nonprofit transportation providers are providing a new service in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: They are delivering food, meals, and prescriptions to people in need. In response to requests from these community-based agencies, WSDOT determined that meal, food bank, and grocery delivery — as well as prescription drop-off/pickup — to homebound people is allowable for our partners that receive state and/or federal funds to support their operations.
If you are a person with limited mobility options in King, Pierce, or Snohomish counties, Find a Ride may help you find accessible transportation services. Find a Ride provides travel training on the basics of accessible transit such as riding with a wheelchair and online trip-planning.
Contact local transit agencies and nonprofit transportation providers for the most up-to-date information.
We recommend that transit organizations keep their communities safe by following the recent mask guidance for public transportation riders from the Washington State Secretary of Health's Order on Face Coverings (pdf 314 kb), FTA Mask Mandate or their local agency guidance, whichever is more restrictive. Also refer to Governor Inslee's COVID-19 Public Transportation Safety Requirements (pdf 130 kb) and CDC's Public Health Order Requiring Masks on Transportation Conveyances. For more information, contact your Community Liaison.
The application for training and other support services for public transportation operators in rural (i.e., nonurbanized) areas in the Call for Projects, including the General Transit Feed Specifications (GTFS)/GTFS Flex, is now closed. For more information, contact Marianna Hanefeld at marianna.hanefeld@wsdot.wa.gov or 425-777-0557.
The Grants Management System, a new cloud-based software system for the Public Transportation’s grants program, is available for registering in the system. Contact the Help Desk at 360-705-7711 for more information on registering or navigating the system.
Below you'll find information about WSDOT's public transportation programs and projects.
WSDOT's Public Transportation Division administers grants that help local transportation providers improve access and mobility. Examples include grants to provide and improve transit, human services transportation, ridesharing, transportation demand management and more. These grant programs provide more than $250 million per biennium to support community-based public transportation.
Statewide plans identify shared interests that guide transportation improvements. WSDOT’s Public Transportation Division leads planning for the State Public Transportation Plan, Washington States Human Services Transportation Plan, and Transportation Demand Management Strategic Plan. The division also plays a key role in transit development plans, local human services transportation plans, local commute trip reduction plans and the statewide vanpool strategic plan.
WSDOT's State Safety Oversight Program oversees safety for public rail fixed guideways and serves as the State of Washington's federally designated state safety oversight agency.
WSDOT supports efficient use of transportation systems and infrastructure through transportation demand management projects and programs, including commute trip reduction, vanpools and more.
WSDOT supports the Travel Washington Intercity Bus Program, which connects rural communities to major transportation hubs and urban centers.
