Employer Shuttles Program

Why do shuttle vehicles need to use public bus stops?

Some Seattle-area employers operate shuttle services to transport their employees to and from work or between campuses. These shuttles help cut down on the number of employees driving alone, which reduces congestion, air pollution, and climate-warming emissions. By sharing approved public bus stops, shuttle vehicles can safely load and unload passengers and make efficient use of limited curbspace within the city.  

How did the pilot program go?

SDOT launched the Employer Shuttles Program Pilot in 2017. Since then, SDOT has worked closely with King County Metro and found that shared stops have had little to no impact on public transit. Two employers, Seattle Children’s Hospital and Microsoft, participated in the pilot at 12 stops across Seattle. The City conducted an evaluation of the pilot using field observations, rider comments, public comments, feedback from public transit and private shuttle operators, and records of citations or traffic incidents associated with employer-provided shuttles using public bus stops. No major operational issues were observed at the pilot stop locations, and close communication with the private shuttle partners helped resolve any known issues quickly and thoroughly.   

More details can be found in the Employer Shared Transit Stop Pilot - Evaluation Report (October 2018)

Who can board shuttle vehicles at these stops?

Eligibility criteria for riding private shuttles is determined by the employer or institution who owns or designs the shuttle system.  

How do shuttle vehicles affect traffic in neighborhoods? 

During the pilot period of the Employer Shuttles program, employees were provided an attractive alternative to driving alone. As a result, there was no negative impact on traffic in Seattle neighborhoods. Employer-provided shuttles used approved public transit stops, which were usually located on major roadways, as opposed to picking up and dropping off passengers in the limited loading zone space, or in traffic, which is unsafe. While these activities can negatively impact neighborhood traffic and safety during peak commute periods, the Employer Shuttles pilot program can reduce such traffic impacts by permitting employer-provided shuttles to share bus stops, thereby reducing vehicle trips. Through the Employer Shuttles Program, SDOT will gather detailed information about shuttle routes across Seattle, which will ensure that shuttles are running on the appropriate streets for their vehicle size.     

Does this program impact Metro bus service at stops shared with shuttle vehicles?

SDOT works with King County Metro to conduct a thorough analysis of each requested shared stop and only approves stops that can accommodate shared use without negatively impacting bus service. The number of stops employers can apply for and the type of stop that is eligible for shared use is limited.  In total, SDOT only allows employers to share a maximum of 250 bus stops citywide. Some locations are not eligible for shared use, including Rapid Ride stations, bus layover terminals, high volume stops, stops along transit-only lanes, stops with adjacent non-protected bike lanes, and stops located in-lane with only a single travel lane in that direction. These restrictions ensure that Metro bus service and other vehicles along the roadway are not impacted by employer-provided shuttles. 

How does SDOT work with King County Metro on this program? 

SDOT has had a strong partnership with King County Metro since the Employee Shuttles Program Pilot launched in early 2017. SDOT has had regular discussions with Metro staff and representatives, as well as joint discussions with pilot program participants. King County Metro is part of the analysis and review of all requests for shared transit stops, and SDOT continues to work with Metro on monitoring conditions at shared stops after they go into service.  

How does the City of Seattle ensure proper use of public bus stops?

Public transit has priority at shared bus stops. All shuttle vehicles using shared stops need to be approved by SDOT and are directed to minimize the time necessary for passengers being picked up and dropped off. All employer-provided shuttles must have a shuttle vehicle permit and shared transit stop permits to access shared transit stops and are restricted to active loading and unloading of passengers at those locations. Existing parking rules and regulations otherwise apply throughout the city and  continue to be enforced by Seattle Parking Enforcement. No other types of vehicles besides buses or approved employer shuttles are allowed to stop at Seattle bus stops.  

How is the program funded? 

SDOT collects fees from participating employers to fund the program. These fees reimburse SDOT for the time it takes to review each application that comes in and to administer the program. 

How does the City of Seattle collect public feedback?

Once SDOT has conditionally approved a shared stop, employers are required to provide public notice at the requested bus stop. SDOT also includes on-line resources showing which stops are requested and have been approved for sharing with shuttles. Additionally, public feedback can be submitted by calling (206) 256-5511 or emailing employershuttles@seattle.gov. Participating employers will also collect and share feedback they receive from their employees, shuttle operators, and other sources.

How do I reach out if I have any questions or concerns? 

You can contact us through email at EmployerShuttles@seattle.gov. You can also call us at (206) 256-5511. 

What are shared stops?

Shared stops are public bus stops that can also be used by employer shuttles to take employees to and from their destination. Shared stops are only established after being approved by SDOT. Eligible shared stops for this program can be viewed on the Employer Shared Stop Eligibility Map. 

• Any one employer may only apply for a maximum of 20 shared stops per calendar year,
• Any one employer may only share a maximum of 50 shared stops citywide at all times,
• All employers combined may only share a maximum of 250 shared stops citywide at all times. 

The following bus stops are not eligible for shared use: 

• Rapid Ride stations
• Bus layover terminals
• High volume stops
• Stops along transit-only lanes
• Stops with a recent history of bicycle collisions
• Stops located in-lane with only a single travel lane in that direction 

What is a shuttle vehicle load zone?

Shuttle vehicle load zones are designated curbspaces that only allow permitted shuttles during specified hours. All shuttle load zones will have white curb paint and a sign that reads “SHUTTLE ONLY.”  

If existing curbspace is unreliable or insufficient, employers can create new shuttle load zones or request to share bus stops. 

All shuttles and any vehicle are allowed to pick up and drop off passengers at designated 3-, 5-, 15-, and 30-minute passenger load/unload zones. 

What are the differences between stopping at a shuttle load zone versus stopping at a bus stop?

All shuttle vehicles with valid Shuttle Vehicle Permits are allowed to pick up and drop off passengers at designated shuttle loading zones, as well as at any 3-minute passenger load zone and load/unload zone (5-, 15- and 30-minute) throughout the city. If these curbspace designations are inadequate or unreliable, employers using shuttles may wish to establish new shuttle load zones or request to share a bus stop.

Stopping at a shuttle load zone means that shuttles can load and unload passengers when and where such shuttle load zones are available, and this space of curb is reserved for shuttles only. 

Stopping at a bus stop means that shuttles can load and unload passengers at approved stops along their route. These are best for quick shuttle stops, connecting to other transit services at or near that stop, or providing access in areas where a transit stop already exists without other types of curb uses such as passenger or shuttle load zones. Shuttles need to make sure they dwell as little as possible while loading or unloading passengers, and make sure that they proceed from the stop as quickly as possible if any bus is approaching. 

The same staff review both new Shuttle Vehicle Load Zone and Shared Transit Stop Permit requests. SDOT may suggest the other type of use instead, or other nearby types of curbspace such as passenger loading zones.  

Do employers need to share shuttle data with SDOT?

As part of permit conditions, employers agree to share relevant data on a regular basis about the shuttle route serving the shuttle vehicle load zone or shared transit stop, including but not limited to routing pathways, service levels, delay and crash incidents, and passenger utilization. Such data can help SDOT determine if shuttle vehicle load zones are being appropriately designated and ensure that use of shared transit stops is not negatively impacting transit or arterial operations. SDOT encourages employers to remain in regular communication about these data needs, their cadence, and the quantitative and qualitative information that is available to assess performance of employer shuttle operations.  

What are some steps I need to take before starting the application? 

Before beginning the application, you must obtain a Shuttle Vehicle Permit. You can apply for the permit on the Shuttle Vehicle Permits page.

Additionally, see the Contacts FAQ document for more information about submitting pre-application information to EmployerShuttles@seattle.gov. 

What is the application process like?  

Employers requesting a shared stop, or a shuttle load zone must apply for the shuttle bus permit. More information about Shuttle Bus Permits can be accessed at the Shuttle Vehicle Permit Page. For shared stops, employers must also file a Shuttle Route Application. They may request specific bus stops to share using this resource: Employer Shared Stop Eligibility (arcgis.com) For a shuttle load zone, the Shuttle Route Application is optional.  

Next, during the application review and approval process, we will be in contact with you to possibly discuss missing components, denial of stops, and/or suggestions for new stop locations.  

Then, once the application is approved, we will be informing you about the public comment period notice through the Accela website. You are responsible for posting the public notice and documenting posting through email.  

You must pay SDOT’s full fee amount in order to receive permits or permission to operate at shared stops.   

How long is the application review period? 

SDOT reviews and responds to applications 6-8 weeks after submission. The Employer Shuttles Program Coordinator will follow up with the employer to confirm or deny stops and/or zones or ask for any needed follow-up information. The coordinator will also send an invoice to the employer for staff review hours and outline next steps once the permits are approved.   

How much do the permits and application process cost?

The program will be funded through fees that applicants pay to SDOT. Employers will pay: 

• An annual fee of $632 per vehicle, increased from the previous $300 and now tied to inflation there on, for each shuttle vehicle operating within the City of Seattle that uses shared bus stops or designated shuttle loading zones, 
• An annual fee per stop of $5,000 per location, to operate shuttle vehicles at approved public bus stops, 
• Some specific institutions that have a need for shuttles as part of their official transportation management plan are eligible for a reduced use fee of $2,500, 
• An hourly application review fee of $350 per hour for any City staff time reviewing shuttle vehicle zone and/or shared stop requests, 
• Reimbursement for any one-time costs (for signage, paint, etc.) to create a new shuttle load zone along the curb, estimated at approximately $500.   

Permit fees are fixed to inflation and increase annually starting in 2024.

Fee amounts must be paid in full in order for SDOT to issue approved permits to applicants and for applicants to begin using new load zones or shared stops. Unpaid fees for Shuttle Vehicle Permits, Shared Transit Stop Permits, or hourly staff review may also impair the approval of other requested locations by the same applicant and may also be considered as a factor during permit renewal.  

These fees reimburse SDOT for the time it takes to review each application and to administer the program. Therefore, employers benefit from thoroughly completing the application to reduce the number of staff hours needed to process their application. 

Templates for Employers

For template instructions, visit the Shuttle Route Application Portal.

• Public Notice for Application of Shared Use of Bus Stop Template

• Route Schedule Template