How to Ride Swift
Paying Your Fare
Ticket Vending Machine: Each Swift station has two ticket vending machines near the information kiosk. You can use cash, Visa or MasterCard to purchase your Swift ticket. You can purchase a ticket for only one person at a time.
Cash-paying customers should bring exact change, as machines do not make change. Dollar bills need to be carefully fed into the machine at least half way (further than most vending machines). Only $1 bills are accepted since the machines do not make change.
Tickets are good for one ride on Swift and there are no transfers. The driver does not need to see your ticket, but riders must keep their ticket as proof of payment on Swift.
Here is a video showing how to purchase a Swift ticket:
ORCA: The best way to pay for Swift is with an ORCA card. ORCA users simply tap their cards on one of the two ORCA readers at 
each Swift station to pay their fare before boarding. ORCA users get a two-hour window to take another bus or train while getting credit for the fare they've already paid.
ORCA users whose pass value is lower than the Swift fare and who do not have e-purse on their card will need to upgrade their fare at the ticket vending machine using cash or credit card. Riders who have an ORCA card set for Everett Transit fares will need to buy an upgrade ticket if they do not have e-purse value on their card.
At Swift stations, ORCA e-purse cannot be used to pay multiple fares.
Swift Ambassadors will be at stations and on board Swift buses to assist riders with any questions they have, and to randomly check for fare payment. A $124 citation may be written for those who fail to pay. Be prepared to show your ORCA card or Swift ticket upon request. Ambassadors and transit police have legal authority to ask for passenger identification (RCW 81.112.210).
Boarding
Swift buses stop at all stations. Be prepared to board or de-board immediately when the bus comes to a complete stop. To keep service swift, buses do not stay at stations for long. Most passengers can board at any of the three doors. Pavement markers indicate that passengers using mobility devices can board at the front door and passengers with bicycles can board at the rear door.
Once you board the bus, take your seat quickly, or grab a hand rail or strap if you choose to stand. The coach operator will not wait for passengers to be seated before leaving the station. Please do not block doorways or aisles.
Accessibility
At Swift stations, priority for front seats on all buses is given to seniors and people with disabilities.
- Pavement markers on the platform indicate that passengers using mobility devices should board at the front door, where a ramp can be deployed if needed.
- Most station platforms are just a few inches shorter than the floor of the bus, making it easy to step aboard (Aurora Village is the only station without a raised platform).
With wider aisles and no farebox, it’s easy to get onto the bus and into a designated wheelchair position.
The two wheelchair bays can be used in either of these ways:
- In the standard, front-facing position
- In a rear-facing position that requires no assistance - simply back up to the padded backboard, set your brakes and pull down the armrest.
When you approach your station stop, use the call button located in the priority seating area to signal the coach operator that you will be deboarding. The operator can then deploy the ramp or allow extra time at the station as needed.
Bicycles
There are three bike racks located onboard all Swift buses.
To load your bike:
- Enter at the rear door
- Push your bike onto the rack in front of you. Make sure that your front wheel is centered and secure under the roller.
- Fold-up seats are located near the bike racks so you can keep an eye on your bike and be ready to deboard.
- To remove your bike, pull back firmly.
Racks fit standard bikes with wheels from 20 to 29 inches in diameter and tires up to 3 inches wide. Items that extend to the side or rear may need to be removed to keep the aisle clear and allow other bikes to be loaded.
If the rack is full but the bus is not, the coach operator has discretion to allow you to board and hold your bike securely. However, room for passengers and safety always take priority. If the vehicle is crowded, you may need to wait for the next bus.
