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Local Transit Agencies


Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA)
Skagit Transit (SKAT)
Island Transit
Community Transit
Sound Transit
Washington State Ferries

It is possible to use various local transit agencies to travel to and from Bellingham, which includes connections to:
  • Mt. Vernon, Oak Harbor, and greater Whidbey Island
  • Everett, Lynnwood, and locations in Eastern Snohomish County
  • Seattle, Shoreline, and Bellevue
  • Tacoma, Lakewood, and greater Pierce County
  • Bremerton and the greater Kitsap Peninsula

WWU to Seattle/Tacoma/Bellevue for $5 or less

For directions go to http://www.wwu.edu/transportation/connections.shtml. This route works on Weekdays Only, and will get you home for the weekend departing Western on Friday afternoon at 3 or 5pm, and returning Monday morning, arriving at Western 8:34am. Please note the option of using the Orca card to avoid transfer fees.

IMPORTANT: you CANNOT use public transit to get from the Seattle area to Western on WEEKENDS. Please see Greyhound or Amtrak service instead.

Some other important information for those traveling by local transit agencies:

  • If you are not sure about a route or schedule, always ask a driver
  • Always check online schedules at transit agency websites to get the most current schedule information and do not hesitate to tell the driver you are making a timed connection.
  • From some locations, including Lynnwood, Everett, and Oak Harbor, earlier connections are available that enable a student to arrive before their 8:00 AM classes, though connections can be tight and the driver should be notified.
  • A special 80X Shuttle is provided at select times to shuttle students directly to and from the 80X at Lincoln Creek P&R and Western’s main campus, and using this shuttle may prove convenient for students traveling to and from class.

The key to traveling to King, Pierce, Snohomish counties from Western on public transit is the connection between WTA/Skagit Transit 80X (which runs between Bellingham & Mt. Vernon) and Skagit Transit 90X (which runs between Mt. Vernon & Everett). For 80X schedules see ridewta.com (click on Bus Schedules then 80X). For 90X schedules see skagittransit.org (click on Routes then Everett Connector)

There is a special 80X Shuttle that connects Western to the 80X route at Lincoln Creek P&R morning and afternoon. This shuttle leaves Lincoln Creek P&R for Western at 7:23am and 8:23am, and leaves Western for Lincoln Creek P&R at 3:08pm and 5:08pm.

Fare Information:
80X: Use your Viking Xpress Bus Pass (cash fare $2.00)
90X: $2.00 each way

To "build your own" trip to/from King Pierce or Snohomish Counties:
1. Find your time to/from Bellingham to Everett on the 80X 90X
2. Go to King County Metro’s Regional Trip Planner to connect to/from Everett Station
http://transit.metrokc.gov

For assistance or customized trip planning, please contact the AS Alternative Transportation Coordinator at: AS.Transportation@wwu.edu

Greyhound Bus Service

  • Several Greyhound busses leave Bellingham each day, heading for various destinations, including Vancouver B.C., Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Kelso-Longview, and Vancouver, as well as locations in Eastern Washington
  • The Bellingham Greyhound terminal is located at the Fairhaven Transportation Center, and is served by WTA Route 401
  • The current cost of a round trip ticket to Seattle is $34.50, to Tacoma for $45.50, to Olympia for $45.50, to Kelso-Longview for $74.50, and to Vancouver for $74.50, to Vancouver B.C. for $33.50, to Ellensburg for $87.00, and to Spokane for $92.50
  • Go online to www.greyhound.com for more information and updated schedules and fares
Amtrak Service

The Amtrak Cascades also serves Bellingham at the Fairhaven Transportation Center with several trains arriving and departing each day. It is served by WTA Route 401 (to Downtown, then transfer to get to campus) and during Evenings/Sundays Route 105, which goes directly to campus
  • The current cost of a round trip ticket to Edmonds is $40.00, to Seattle for $40.00, to Tacoma for $40.00, to Olympia for $42.00, Kelso for $58.00, and Vancouver for $58.00
  • Go online to www.amtrak.com for more information and updated schedules and fares
  • If you are unable to get tickets because a train is sold out, please let us know so we can inform Amtrak. E-mail us at AS.Transportation@wwu.edu
Bellair Airporter Shuttle

The Bellair Airporter Shuttle provides multiple daily trips between Bellingham and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
  • Visit http://www.airporter.com for updated schedules and fares
  • The Airporter departs approximately every two hours, and a round-trip fare is approximately $60.00
  • The Airporter shuttle departs from the GuestHouse Inn along Lakeway Drive.To get to the GuestHouse Inn, use WTA Route 90A/B, Routes196/197 or go to Downtown Bellingham Station and transfer to the PLUM GO Line (Routes 512, 525, 540, 541). The Late Night Shuttle also serves Lakeway Dr.
  • SeaTac via Public Transit To get to SeaTac Airport, use the timetable above to get to Everett Station. From Everett, take Sound Transit Route 510 to Seattle ($2.50, get a transfer). From Seattle, take King County Metro Route 194 to SeaTac (use transfer).
Yellow Cab Taxi Information

Yellow Cab of Whatcom Skagit provides taxi service throughout Whatcom County
  • Due to the late or weekend arrival times, it may be necessary for a student to utilize this service to get from the Fairhaven Transportation Center and Western’s Campus
  • The fare for a trip from the Fairhaven Transportation Center to Western’s main campus is about $8.00, depending on the exact destination
  • Students are encouraged to share taxis with other students also traveling to Western to minimize their costs
  • Go online to http://www.yellowcabinc.com/ or call 360-734-8294 for more information, updated schedules and fares, or to request a ride
Rideshare Information

Ridesharing