Community Transit ridership increased 17% in 2024
Pictured above: Three people getting off a bus at a transit center.
Snohomish County residents were given more transit options in 2024, and they took advantage of them.
Community Transit wrapped up 2024 with a 17% increase in boardings compared to 2023. With 8.4 million total boardings across all Community Transit services, ridership continues to grow as more people choose to take transit to get around Snohomish County.
Among the new transit options launched last year were the Swift Orange Line, Community Transit’s third bus rapid transit line; direct connections to Link light rail in Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Shoreline; and three new Zip Shuttle pilot programs in Arlington, Darrington, and Lake Stevens.
Ridership highlights for 2024
- Bus ridership led the way, reaching 7.8 million boardings. This was 18% higher than 2023, when there were 6.6 million boardings.
- Swift ridership accounted for 3.5 million of the total bus boardings, adding 1 million more riders than in 2023. The launch of the Swift Orange Line connected riders to key destinations like Edmonds College, Alderwood Mall, and Link light rail at Lynnwood City Center Station. Swift Blue Line was also extended south to the North Shoreline/185th Street Station to connect with Link light rail.
- Swift ridership accounted for 3.5 million of the total bus boardings, adding 1 million more riders than in 2023. The launch of the Swift Orange Line connected riders to key destinations like Edmonds College, Alderwood Mall, and Link light rail at Lynnwood City Center Station. Swift Blue Line was also extended south to the North Shoreline/185th Street Station to connect with Link light rail.
- DART Paratransit demand grew, with a 25% increase, reaching 151,000 boardings. DART is available only to eligible riders. In 2024, Community Transit provided on average an extra 585 DART rides per week than the previous year for the same period.
- Zip Shuttle ridership soared, increasing 72% in 2024 as vehicles were added to keep pace with rising demand from customers. For most of 2024, Zip Shuttle service was only available in the Alderwood area of Lynnwood, providing riders a connection to Link light rail when it opened at Lynnwood City Center Station. In December 2024, new Zip zones launched in Lake Stevens, Arlington, and Darrington.
- Weekend boardings across all services were up, with Saturday up 24% and Sunday up 31% over 2023 weekend, showing more people choosing transit for weekend and leisure trips.
In 2024, we began changing our bus network to offer riders more frequent buses, longer service hours, and better connections across the county and region. As ridership grows, Community Transit is focused on making transit even more convenient, reliable, and connected for everyone.
