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Routes and schedules
556 - Issaquah – University District
This route's interactive schedule is currently unavailable.
View this route's schedule PDF for schedule information.
Arrival times on this page are updated in real time.
On time
Early
Late
Scheduled
Single route reroute
Ongoing
ST 556 will be rerouted in downtown Bellevue during the Snowflake and Holiday Traffic Event from Friday, November 29 through Tuesday, December 24.
In effect: Nov. 29 - Dec. 25
Routes: 556
Affected stops:
To Issaquah:
Stop #85640 NE 4th St & 108th Ave NE (WB)
Stop #67620 Bellevue Way NE & NE 4th St (SB)
To University District:
Stop #68035 Bellevue Way NE & Main St (NB)
Stop #68042 NE 4th St & 105th Ave NE (EB)
For ST 556 to Issaquah get on/off at:
Stop #68005 Bellevue Transit Center - Bay 5 (EB)
Stop #67640 Bellevue Way SE & Main St (SB)
For ST 556 to U-District Station get on/off at:
Stop #68020 Bellevue Way SE & SE 3rd St (NB)
Stop #67655 Bellevue Transit Center - Bay 8 (WB)
To Issaquah:
Stop #85640 NE 4th St & 108th Ave NE (WB)
Stop #67620 Bellevue Way NE & NE 4th St (SB)
To University District:
Stop #68035 Bellevue Way NE & Main St (NB)
Stop #68042 NE 4th St & 105th Ave NE (EB)
For ST 556 to Issaquah get on/off at:
Stop #68005 Bellevue Transit Center - Bay 5 (EB)
Stop #67640 Bellevue Way SE & Main St (SB)
For ST 556 to U-District Station get on/off at:
Stop #68020 Bellevue Way SE & SE 3rd St (NB)
Stop #67655 Bellevue Transit Center - Bay 8 (WB)
Stop closure
Ongoing
Stop #25752 Montlake Blvd E & E Shelby St (NB) will be permanently closed beginning Saturday, December 21 due to construction. A future stop at the Montlake / SR-520 interchange is scheduled to open mid-February.
In effect: Dec. 18, 2024 - Feb. 1, 2025
Routes: 556 & 542
Affected routes:
255
271
986
ST 542
ST 556
For routes 255, 986, ST 542 and ST 556 get on/off at:
Stop #25755 Montlake Blvd NE & NE Pacific Pl - Bay 4 (NB)
For Route 271get on/off at:
Stop #29405 NE Pacific St & Montlake Blvd NE - Bay 2 (WB)
255
271
986
ST 542
ST 556
For routes 255, 986, ST 542 and ST 556 get on/off at:
Stop #25755 Montlake Blvd NE & NE Pacific Pl - Bay 4 (NB)
For Route 271get on/off at:
Stop #29405 NE Pacific St & Montlake Blvd NE - Bay 2 (WB)
Announcement
Upcoming
Sound Transit will operate on modified service schedules Tuesday, December 24, and Wednesday, December 25, due to Christmas Holiday.
In effect: Dec. 24-26
Operating hours
Weekday Only
Westbound
First trip: 5:12 a.m.
Last trip: 9:13 a.m.
Eastbound
First trip: 3:00 p.m.
Last trip: 6:30 p.m.
Fares
- Adult (age 19-64)
$3.25 - Low-income adult (ORCA LIFT)
$1.00 - Senior/disabled (age 65+ or qualifying disability)
$1.00 - Youth (18 and under)
Youth 18 and under ride for free on all Sound Transit services. Learn more and apply for a Free Youth Transit Pass here.
For more information about fares and to see if you qualify for reduced fare programs, visit our Fares page.
How to pay
Pay as you enter the bus with the following options:
- ORCA card - Tap your card on the card reader as you board.
- Cash - Pay at the machine when entering the bus through the front door. Bus drivers do not carry change, so you will need exact fare.
- Transit GO Ticket app - Tickets may be purchased with credit card in the app. Activate your purchased ticket prior to boarding and show your screen to the bus driver.
Holiday schedule
- Thanksgiving Day - Sunday
- Day after Thanksgiving - Reduced Saturday
- Christmas Eve - Reduced weekday
- Christmas Day - Sunday
- New Year's Eve - Weekday*
- New Year's Day - Sunday
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Weekday
- President's Day - Weekday
*Extra trips, pending operator availability.
Lost and found
King County Metro operates this route and will hold your lost and found items for 30 days at the King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle.
You may report a lost item three ways:
- By filling out out this form 24 hours a day
- By calling Metro at 206-553-3000, or 1-800-542-7876, select option 2; Weekdays, 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- By visiting the King Street Center at 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle; Weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
In an emergency, call Sound Transit security dispatch: 206-398-5268.