An image of a map of Darrington, WA

Darrington residents get a new transportation option

Community Transit and the Town of Darrington are partnering to develop and launch an innovative pilot project to better meet transportation needs within the town. Darrington residents and community organizations provided survey feedback about how people travel in the area and where travel gaps and barriers exist. Community Transit proposed two travel options in a final survey, microtransit and Community Van. 

Zip Shuttle pilot makes travel easier

Community Transit will be piloting Zip Shuttle, its microtransit service, in Darrington. Zip Shuttle makes local trips easy. Riders can take Zip to get around town, whether it’s running to get groceries, getting to medical appointments, commuting to work, or participating in social and community activities. 

For just $2.50 or less, riders get the freedom to go. People who rely on family members or friends for transportation, or paratransit that may require longer scheduling times, will find that Zip is a better solution. With Zip, riders have the flexibility to travel anywhere in the Darrington area when they need to go. Daily service hours will run from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Riders can easily book rides by app or phone. Zip riders will be able to book a ride by calling or through the new Zip Shuttle app (coming soon). A Zip vehicle will arrive at the requested pick-up location and drop off anywhere within the service area. Just like other forms of public transit, people may be traveling with other riders in a vehicle, which means Zip is helping more people get around easier.

 

Darrington residents will benefit from Zip Shuttle:

  • No need for schedules 
  • Flexible service meets riders where they are, and takes them where they want to go within the service area
  • Accessible vehicles are available for riders traveling with mobility devices
  • Can be paid with bus pass (ORCA card)
  • Costs the same as a local bus fare: $2.50 or less per trip, and youth 18 and younger ride for free
Proposed microtransit pilot service area for Darrington

Darrington residents will be able to travel anywhere within the Zip Shuttle service area. Daily service hours will run from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A Community Transit Zip shuttle van

Be one of the first to ride Zip – for FREE!

Be among the first to learn when the app is ready to download and receive details on how to get started with the Zip pilot in Darrington. Plus, sign up for our Early Interest list now to get an ORCA card and ride free for one month!*

Sign up for our Zip pilot Early Interest list here

Darrington residents think Zip Shuttle will help people travel easier:

  • 60% of respondents said they would likely try microtransit
  • Respondents had an interest in using microtransit if it helped them get to Arlington (based on this feedback, Community Transit is proposing a wider service area)
  • 49% of respondents said they would use microtransit at least once a week
  • Shopping and medical were the top reasons for travel
  • Respondents liked that microtransit is flexible and affordable

Riders can connect to popular destinations and other transit with Zip Shuttle. The new Zip Shuttle Darrington pilot will connect riders to Community Transit Route 230, Homage D'Arling Direct, which offers three weekday round trips between Darrington and Arlington, and DC Connect, which offers weekday transit service between Darrington and Concrete. The pilot would create service to the town center from outlying neighborhoods and seven popular destinations that are beyond a quarter mile of bus service. 

Darrington residents can ride and share feedback. The Zip Shuttle pilots are part of Community Transit's long-range plan to expand on-demand, microtransit and other innovative services. The pilots are aimed at responding to customer needs, improving access and connections for riders, growing ridership and attracting new riders to Community Transit.  Zip Shuttle Alderwood was the first microtransit pilot launched by Community Transit, and has shown tremendous success in connecting riders to bus service and attracting new riders.  

The Darrington pilot will inform Community Transit about how Zip Shuttle helps people get around in this community. Community Transit invites Darrington residents to try the service, ride it often, and provide feedback. 

Next Steps

Community Transit is currently working on launching the new Zip Shuttle pilot in Darrington and two other communities, Arlington and Lake Stevens. The Zip Shuttle pilots will begin testing in these communities in early December. Pending a successful testing period, Zip will be available in the three new cities starting Dec. 17.

The Community Van pilot, which was one of the surveyed proposed solutions, will continue to be evaluated by the agency. To see the latest progress on this solution, or to learn more about other pilots, visit Community Transit's Innovative Services program page.

Details of the microtransit service above may change as the pilot is developed.