[NFBSea] Fwd: King County Executive Zahilay Announces Free Rides on Waterfront Shuttle Starting May 21 Ahead of FIFA World Cup 26TM in Seattle

Thu May 7 10:04:26 UTC 2026

Jacob Struiksma
206-387-7736jacobstruiksma at gmail.com

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Executive Press Office <news at subscriptions.kingcounty.gov>
Date: Wed, May 6, 2026, 12:59 PM
Subject: King County Executive Zahilay Announces Free Rides on Waterfront
Shuttle Starting May 21 Ahead of FIFA World Cup 26TM in Seattle
To: <jacobstruiksma at gmail.com>

[image: Girmay Zahilay, King County Executive]

News Release – May 6 2026

*Contact: Karissa Braxton-Lytle*, Kbraxton at kingcounty.gov, Office of the
Executive
------------------------------
King County Executive Zahilay Announces Free Rides on Waterfront Shuttle
Starting May 21 Ahead of FIFA World Cup 26TM in Seattle  * King County
Metro service, with free fares sponsored by
SeattleFWC26, and $500k investment from the City of Seattle, will offer
fast, free connections across downtown and on Match Days this summer *
Summary

King County is kicking off Seattle’s soccer summer early with the launch of
free rides on new waterfront shuttle service beginning May 21 through Labor
Day.

Operated by King County Metro and sponsored by the Seattle FIFA World Cup
2026™ Local Organizing Committee (SeattleFWC26), the new shuttle will
provide frequent, car-free connections between Seattle
Center, Waterfront Park, Pioneer Square, Seattle Stadium, and the
Chinatown-International District.

During Seattle’s six FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches, Metro will also offer
subsidized free rides on separate Match Day shuttles with fares sponsored
by SeattleFWC26 and its partners to help move fans and visitors throughout
downtown.
Story

*SEATTLE--*King County Metro will begin summer waterfront shuttle service
on May 21, offering free rides and frequent connections between the newly
transformed Seattle waterfront and downtown destinations through Labor Day.
With support from SeattleFWC26, this years' service expands to include the
Chinatown-International District and will be complemented by free rides on
new Match Day shuttles during FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches. Together, these
services are designed to help residents and visitors move easily to and
through downtown Seattle throughout the summer.

“We are welcoming the world to King County this summer and inviting
everyone to leave the driving to us,” *said Executive Zahilay.* “With
free rides on new waterfront shuttle service, it will be easy to move
between the Space Needle, the waterfront, Chinatown-International District,
and fan events across downtown Seattle. We are ready to help people get
where they want to go.”

The waterfront shuttle will run every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.,
seven days a week, through Labor Day, Sept. 7. On match days, service will
increase to every 10 minutes to meet higher demand.

Riders can take a one-seat trip between key destinations, including:

   - Seattle Center and the Space Needle

   - Olympic Sculpture Park

   - Pike Place Market and Overlook Walk

   - Waterfront Park and the Seattle Great Wheel

   - Pioneer Square

   - Seattle Stadium

   - Chinatown-International District

   - Seattle Ferry Terminal and Pier 50

The Waterfront Shuttle began as a community-driven effort led by nonprofit
Friends of Waterfront Park and the Seattle Historic Waterfront Association
of businesses to make it easier for people to reach Seattle’s central
waterfront. As the waterfront has transformed into a 20-acre civic space,
the shuttle has evolved alongside it—growing from a locally organized
program into a regionally supported service connecting neighborhoods across
downtown.

This year’s shuttle service improves access to neighborhoods across
downtown, increasing opportunities to explore, shop, participate in
events and support the local economy during a busy summer season.

 “We’re getting ready to welcome the world to Seattle, and we want people
to be able to move through the city easily and comfortably,"* said Seattle
Mayor Katie Wilson*. "We want transit to be convenient, dependable and
irresistibly good. This shuttle connects some of our most important
neighborhoods and public spaces, and it’s part of a broader effort to make
transit in Seattle the first choice for getting around.”

In addition to the waterfront route, Metro will operate free Match Day
shuttles during Seattle’s six World Cup matches. SeattleFWC26, thanks to
its partners the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Alaska Airlines, Amazon,
Boeing, Port of Seattle, Microsoft, University of Washington, and Emerald
Queen Casino are contributing more than $100,000 dollars to subsidize free
rides for both Match Day shuttles and Waterfront Shuttles this summer. These
shuttles will add capacity across the transit system, helping fans and
visitors get to games and events more easily.

Match Day service will connect riders to:

   - Fan celebrations at Seattle Center, Pacific Place, and Victory Hall

   - Pioneer Square

   - Pike Place Market

   - Third Avenue transit corridor

   - Seattle Ferry Terminal and Pier 50

"Seattle FWC26, along with our Host City Supporters and donors, are proud
to sponsor free shuttle service all summer long so that fans, visitors, and
neighbors can move through downtown without the hassle," *said
Peter Tomozawa, CEO of SeattleFWC26.* "From Seattle Center to the
waterfront, from Pioneer Square to the Chinatown-International District, we
want everyone to experience the best of this city, and we want it to be
easy."

“The Metro Shuttle is about making the waterfront feel truly open and
accessible to everyone,” *said Joy Shigaki, President and CEO of Friends of
Waterfront Park.* “The easier it is to get here, the more this park becomes
part of people’s everyday lives—and a place where the city comes together,
especially as we prepare to welcome the world to Seattle.”

*Regional transit expansion*

Transit agencies across the region are coordinating to make public
transportation the easiest way to travel during World Cup matches and
summer events.

In addition to shuttle service, King County Metro will expand:

   - Bus service

   - Water Taxi and shuttle connections

   - Access paratransit services

   - Metro Flex on-demand service

The Seattle Streetcar will run more frequently on match days, and Sound
Transit will increase service on the 1 and 2 Line trains.

*More Information*

Metro’s SEA26 soccer web page
<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fkingcounty.gov%2Fen%2Fdept%2Fmetro%2Frider-tools%2Fsea26-soccer%2F/1/0100019dfedfba83-75b7385b-56a8-44c4-ba75-b43a4d905627-000000/AcRzTyI1J46SxYWhkabyq0p9FpkKHbgBCWWWzfCDW60=452>
is
a hub for maps and helpful travel information for visitors and local
fans, with many language options available.

Learn more about how the City of Seattle is preparing for match days
on their FIFA Mens World Cup 2026 web page
<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.seattle.gov%2Ffifa-2026/1/0100019dfedfba83-75b7385b-56a8-44c4-ba75-b43a4d905627-000000/eyeR7lVk_golHfNZy1UVluYjw6pozNlb_awkvLzWnkc=452>
.

Fans also can visit the SeattleFWC26 web page
<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.seattlefwc26.org%2F/1/0100019dfedfba83-75b7385b-56a8-44c4-ba75-b43a4d905627-000000/r7FGML4zIkfBDvTJRee5B9L4YkSt7xwsEIYjNzt6ra8=452>
to
learn more about the matches and transportation options
<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.seattlefwc26.org%2Ftransportation/1/0100019dfedfba83-75b7385b-56a8-44c4-ba75-b43a4d905627-000000/AlR9kyGlJzYV3In3t1jbuqa2e2LwQqjRC6qd7zLmr4o=452>
.
[image: Waterfront Shuttle route map][image: Match Day Shuttle route]

[image: King County Office of the Executive]
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