An image of a map of Arlington, WA

Arlington residents get a new transportation option

Community Transit and the City of Arlington are partnering to develop and launch an innovative pilot project to better meet transportation needs within the city. Arlington residents and community organizations provided survey feedback about how people travel in the area and where travel gaps and barriers exist. Community Transit proposed two travel options in a final survey, microtransit and Community Van.

Zip Shuttle makes travel easier

Community Transit will be piloting Zip Shuttle, its microtransit service, in Arlington. Zip Shuttle makes local trips easy. Riders can take Zip to get around town, whether it’s running to get groceries, getting to medical appointments, commuting to work, or participating in social and community activities. 

For just $2.50 or less, riders get the freedom to go. People who rely on family members or friends for transportation, or paratransit that may require longer scheduling times, will find that Zip is a better solution. With Zip, riders have the flexibility to travel anywhere in the Arlington area when they need to go. Daily service hours will run from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Riders can easily book rides by app or phone. Riders will be able to book a ride by calling or through the new Zip Shuttle app (coming soon). A Zip vehicle will arrive at the requested pick-up location and drop off anywhere within the service area. Just like other forms of public transit, people may be traveling with other riders in a vehicle, which means Zip is helping more people get around easier.

Arlington residents will benefit from Zip Shuttle:

  • No need for schedules
  • Flexible service meets riders where they are, and takes them where they want to go within the service area
  • Accessible vehicles are available for riders traveling with mobility devices
  • Can be paid with bus pass (ORCA card)
  • Costs the same as a local bus fare: $2.50 or less per trip, and youth 18 and younger ride for free
An image of the proposed Arlington microtransit service area map

Arlington residents will be able to travel anywhere within the Zip Shuttle service area. Daily service hours will run from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

A Community Transit Zip shuttle van

Our ORCA offer has expired

Thank you for your interest in Zip Shuttle. The Early Interest ORCA offer has expired. We invite you to learn more about the new Zip Shuttle pilot in Arlington and see how to book a ride.

Get started with Zip here

Arlington residents think Zip Shuttle will help people travel easier:

  • 74% of respondents said they would likely try microtransit
  • 40% of respondents said they would use microtransit at least once a week or more
  • Shopping and medical were the top reasons for travel
  • Respondents liked that microtransit gives them the opportunity to request rides when they want and go where they want

Riders can connect to popular destinations and other transit with Zip Shuttle. The new Zip Shuttle Arlington pilot would connect riders to seven local bus routes, Smokey Point Transit Center, and support access to Cascade Industrial Center. The pilot would serve neighborhoods and popular destinations that are beyond a quarter mile of bus service.

Arlington residents can ride and share feedback. The Zip Shuttle pilots are part of Community Transit's long-range plan to expand on-demand, microtransit and other innovative services. The pilots are aimed at responding to customer needs, improving access and connections for riders, growing ridership and attracting new riders to Community Transit. Zip Shuttle Alderwood was the first microtransit pilot launched by Community Transit, and has shown tremendous success in connecting riders to bus service and attracting new riders.  

 The Arlington pilot will inform Community Transit about how Zip Shuttle helps people get around in this community. Community Transit invites Arlington residents to try the service, ride it often, and provide feedback. 

 

Next Steps

Community Transit is currently working on launching the new Zip Shuttle pilot in Arlington and two other communities, Lake Stevens and Darrington. The Zip Shuttle pilots will begin testing in these communities in early December. Pending a successful testing period, Zip will be available in the three new cities starting Dec. 17.

The Community Van pilot, which was one of the surveyed proposed solutions, will continue to be evaluated by the agency. To see the latest progress on this solution, or to learn more about other pilots, visit Community Transit's Innovative Services program page.

Details of the Zip Shuttle pilot above may change as the pilot is developed.