Are you tired of asking family or friends for rides, or using expensive private transportation options? Would you like to add spontaneity to your life by using public transportation when you want to go somewhere? Travel training or travel instruction uses professional instructors to teach people with disabilities and seniors how to move about the community independently and safely using public transportation. Training can include:
- Group sessions where riders will learn information about Sound Transit and take a field trip on the bus or train.
- One-to-one training that focuses on the abilities of the individual rider and provides step-by-step instruction on how to navigate the community safely and use public transportation.
- Instruction on how to board public transit vehicles using the ramp or lift, and how to maneuver safely to the space reserved for riders who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices.
Sound Transit contracts with local travel trainers experienced in teaching people with various disabilities as well as orientation and mobility instructors for riders who are blind, have low vision or are deaf-blind. Travel training is free for interested riders. For more information on Sound Transit's training, call 1-800-201-4900 or TTY Relay 711, or email accessibility@soundtransit.org.
Other local agencies that provide travel training include:
- Community Transit: Call 425-348-2379 or visit https://www.communitytransit.org/programs/transit-instruction
- Everett Transit: Call 425-257-8801 or 425-257-7778 or visit https://everetttransit.org/214/Travel-Training
- King County Metro Transit: Call 206-749-4242 or 206-749-4244 TTY or visit http://metro.kingcounty.gov/tops/accessible/riding-the-bus/transit-instruction.html
- Pierce Transit: Call 253-581-8000 or 253-582-7951 TTY or visit https://www.piercetransit.org/accessible-services/.
- Intercity Transit: Call 360-705-5879 or visit https://www.intercitytransit.com/how-to-ride/travel-training.
Note that some of the above travel training options are available to riders with limited English proficiency, veterans and anyone new to public transportation. Check out individual websites for more details.