About Swift

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Swift is Community Transit's Bus Rapid Transit service, designed to move people quickly.

Washington State’s first bus rapid transit line, Swift Blue Line, opened in November 2009. It serves a 17-mile route between Everett and Shoreline.

A second Swift line, Swift Green Line, opened in March 2019 and serves a 12.5-mile route between Paine Field/Boeing and Canyon Park/Bothell.

Swift is a bus line that operates like a train, thanks to the following features:

No need for a schedule

  • Both Swift lines start operation at 4:20 a.m. Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. Saturdays, and 7 a.m. Sundays.
  • Swift operates every 10 minutes M-F from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and every 20 minutes early mornings, nights and weekends.
  • The last bus leaves each terminal at 11 p.m. M-F, 10 p.m. Saturdays, and 8:40 p.m. Sundays.
  • Swift buses stop at each station, like a train. No need to pull a cord or flag the bus down.

    • Pay fares first

    • Fares for Swift are the same as local bus fares. Riders pay their fare at the station while waiting for the bus, then board at any door when the bus arrives.
    • Riders can pay fare by tapping an ORCA card at the station, or with cash or credit card by purchasing a ticket. There are no fare boxes on Swift buses.
    • Each station has two ticket vending machines, and this video shows how to use them. Here are some quick tips:
      • Do not insert payment first; press the green "Start" button to begin.
      • You can purchase up to five tickets at once.
      • Machine accepts $1 and $5 bills, but does not give change.
      • Keep your ticket as proof of payment.

    Fast boarding

    • Swift buses stop at stations for only about 10 seconds, so get on or off the bus quickly!
    • Swift buses have three doors and you can enter any one of them.
    • Wheelchairs and mobility devices should board at the front door where a ramp can be deployed.
    • Bicycles can be rolled onto bike racks located inside the third door.

    High tech, high speed

    • ORCA smart card readers and ticket vending machines at each station make paying your fare fast and easy.
    • Swift buses get signal priority, queue jumps and some dedicated transit lanes, helping them to stay on time.
    • Real-time next bus signs at the stations count down the minutes until the next Swift bus will arrive.
    • Automatic announcements (audio and visual) on the bus let you know which station is coming up next.

    Accessible for All

    Swift station platforms are higher than a standard curb and nearly even with the floor of the bus, making it easy to step aboard.

    People who use wheelchairs or mobility devices enter at the front door and have an option to use a passive restraint system that doesn’t require driver assistance. Standard restraint areas are also available.