Switch Your Trips to Win, Save, and More

Category: Community

Have you tried to Switch Your Trips yet? Changing just a few driving trips a month can help you save money, reduce stress, get more active, and spend less time behind the wheel. And this October, it can also help you win!

Log at least 10 qualifying trips during October and you’ll be entered for a chance to win prizes from Switch Your Trips Washington. Prizes include a $1,500 grand prize, a $500 prize, and more, as well as ten $100 Visa gift cards from Go Redmond. Trips must be logged by November 7. Go Redmond winners will be contacted by November 16.

Save More, Stress Less

Gas, parking costs, car insurance, vehicle maintenance—it all adds up. Carpooling, vanpooling, and transit can help reduce transportation costs while giving you a break from navigating traffic every day.

Imagine arriving at work after spending your commute reading, listening to a podcast, catching up on emails, or simply relaxing instead of watching brake lights.

Looking for a carpool or vanpool to join? Go Redmond can help you find a match! Just follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your Go Redmond account
  2. Click on “Ride Match”
  3. Select “My Trips”
  4. Enter your home and work destinations
  5. Click on “Find Matches”

Your personal information is not shared with other users, but you can use the Go Redmond system to send a message to any matches you are interested in contacting.

Get Moving

Not every workout needs to happen at the gym. You can build movement into your daily routine by walking, biking, and rolling. These modes also reduce emissions and traffic congestion.

Even if your workplace is too far away to walk or bike the entire distance, consider combining active transportation with transit. Walk to a bus stop, bike to a transit center, or park farther away and enjoy part of your trip on foot.

Use the resources available on Go Redmond to find the transportation mode that works best for you.

Friends of Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (FISH) and Go Redmond are teaming up for an interactive weekend of transportation, fish, and fun! On Oct. 24 and 25 from 10am – 2pm, FISH will host a Salmon Migration Discovery Walk along the Sammamish River Trail. Learn about transportation impacts on salmon, their journey through your backyard, and how they are impacted by your transportation choices. Visit the outreach booth at Redmond City Hall, complete the scavenger hunt to win a prize, and try to spot some salmon in the river! Go Redmond will have pre-loaded ORCA cards and swag for participants while supplies last. Come enjoy a weekend walk down the Sammamish River Trail, learn about your relationship to salmon, and leave with a free ride to your next adventure! 

Salmon: A Keystone Species

Salmon are a vital part of our local environment. They are a keystone species that help other species and habitats survive by bringing nutrients from the ocean back to our local watersheds.

Salmon face a tough journey from their spawning grounds in local streams, out to Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean, and then back again at the end of their lifespan. Along the way, they must survive predators, including Orca whales and bears, and battle human obstacles, such as pollution and constructed barriers.

How do your transportation choices affect salmon?

Our transportation choices can have significant impacts on salmon!

Salmon need clean, cold water to survive. All vehicles, even electric ones, produce chemicals and heavy metals that run off our roads into our local streams and lakes. These chemicals and heavy metals make salmon sick. The noise generated by cars and traffic can also cause stress for salmon.

How can you reduce transportation impacts on salmon? Taking transit, ride your bike, or walk to work, school or on errands! Not sure where to start? Use the resources available on Go Redmond to find the sustainable transportation mode that works best for you. The salmon will thank you!

Children walking to school and crossing the street

School is underway, and in October, we will celebrate National Walk and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, Oct. 7. Redmond SchoolPool is partnering with local elementary schools to celebrate by promoting safe pedestrian habits throughout the month of October. The Redmond SchoolPool Program encourages students and their families to leave the car behind when traveling to their neighborhood’s school in October and May.

May 2026 SchoolPool Results

Last May, seven Redmond schools participated in the SchoolPool Program, and nearly 1,700 students took part, earning almost $8,500 for their schools. Participating students helped reduce traffic congestion and local air pollution in their neighborhoods. Some also strengthened their pedestrian and bicycling skills and got some exercise while engaging with fellow students and neighbors.

Of students who did not drive alone with their families to school:

  • 45% rode the bus
  • 36% walked
  • 14% carpooled with friends or neighbors
  • 5% rolled on a bike, scooter, or other mobility device

Join Us this October!

Sharing the ride to school with your friends and neighbors – by walking, rolling, busing or carpooling – helps us reduce congestion and make drop-off safer. Help your student participate in Walk to School month by not driving them to school alone. You can save money on gas and reduce your carbon emissions. Kids who walk or bike to school can boost their brain power with a little extra exercise in the morning.

Check with your school administration or PTSA to find out if your school is participating in SchoolPool this fall. If not, volunteer to help bring this program to the students! Reach out to Go Redmond at goredmond@redmond.gov today!

What would your daily life look like if driving wasn’t an option? Week Without Driving, October 1st–8th, 2026, invites people to consider that question by experiencing their community without relying on a personal vehicle. The annual initiative highlights the experiences of people who don’t drive, including seniors, people with disabilities, young people and people who cannot afford the cost of driving.

In Redmond, Week Without Driving is an opportunity to try walking, biking, taking transit, scooting, carpooling or another way of getting around. Even if you can’t avoid driving for every trip, trying a different transportation option can help you discover new ways to get around help to identify where improvements could make non-driving trips easier and more accessible.

Join Move Redmond

Move Redmond is hosting two community Walk & Talk events during Week Without Driving.

October 2nd–Marymoor Walk & Talk: Meet at Marymoor Village Station at 1 p.m., with the walk beginning at 1:30 p.m. The approximately one-mile walk will explore pedestrian safety and wayfinding around Marymoor Village, including opportunities for quick-build safety improvements. The walk will end at Qamaria Yemeni Coffee for conversation and reflection. Register here.

October 8th–Downtown Redmond Walk & Talk: Meet at Downtown Park at 5 p.m., with the walk beginning at 5:30 p.m. Participants will walk approximately one mile along 161st and 85th Street, sharing experiences and feedback about walking and biking infrastructure and upcoming safety projects. The event will wrap up at Move Redmond’s office with snacks and drinks. Register here.

Join the Week Without Driving challenge and discover what’s possible when you explore Redmond without driving.

What if changing just a few driving trips a month could help you save money, reduce stress, get more active, or spend less time behind the wheel?

That’s exactly what Switch Your Trips is all about.

Beginning October 1, commuters across Washington are challenged to switch drive-alone trips for sustainable alternatives like transit, carpooling, vanpooling, biking, walking, rolling, or a combination of modes.

Log at least 10 qualifying trips during October and you’ll be entered for a chance to win prizes from Switch Your Trips Washington. Prizes include a $1,500 grand prize, a $500 prize, and more, as well as ten $100 Visa gift cards from Go Redmond. Trips must be logged by November 7. Go Redmond winners will be contacted by November 16.

Whether you’re ready to make a big change or simply try something new once a week, this is a great opportunity to explore your transportation options.

Log Your Trips

Find a Carpool or Vanpool

Looking for a carpool or vanpool to join? Go Redmond can help you find a match! Just follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your Go Redmond account
  2. Click on “Ride Match”
  3. Select “My Trips”
  4. Enter your home and work destinations
  5. Click on “Find Matches”

Your personal information is not shared with other users, but you can use the Go Redmond system to send a message to any matches you are interested in contacting.

Plan Your Transit Trip and Give It a Try

Riding transit is easier than ever! Use Metro’s or Sound Transit’s trip planning tools (or Google Maps) to find the nearest bus stop or light rail station and best schedule for your day.

You can now Tap to Pay for transit across the region! Simply tap your ORCA, credit or debit card, or use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay on your phone or smart device before you board.

How to Get an ORCA Card

ORCA cards can be purchased at ticket machines at Downtown Redmond, Marymoor Village and Overlake Village light rail stations. You can also create an online account or download an app to order or add value to a card, or pick one up at a store, vending machine or customer service location. Learn more about ORCA cards.

More frequent service, expanded operating hours, and improved connections throughout the Eastside.

Improvements specific to the eastside will connect communities from Bellevue to Snoqualmie Valley with 2 Line stations and link light rail service across Lake Washington.

  • New Route 215: Providing an all week connection between North Bend, Snoqualmie, Issaquah and Mercer Island Station.
  • New Routes 220 and 270 will replace Route 271: Improving speed and reliability between Eastgate, downtown Bellevue and the U-District.
  • Revised Routes 111, 218, and 269: Running more frequently and connecting riders to the 2 Line at South Bellevue or Mercer Island stations.
  • Routes 11 (between Renton and South Bellevue Stations) and 269 (between Sammamish and Mercer Island Station): Expanding to all day, all week service, with earlier morning trips, later evening service and more frequent buses.

For Fall Service Change information specific to North and South King County, visit the King County Metro Blog.

Two commuters carpooling to work

Summer is winding down, school is back in session, and it’s the perfect time to Reboot Your Commute by using alternative transportation modes to get to and from work.

Log 10 walk, bike, transit, carpool or vanpool commute trips this month and be entered to win one of five $100 Visa gift cards from Go Redmond.

Trips must take place between September 1 and 30 and must be logged on your Go Redmond calendar by October 7 to qualify.

Log Your Trips

Find a Carpool or Vanpool

Looking for a carpool or vanpool to join? Go Redmond can help you find a match! Within your Go Redmond account, under “Ride Match,” select “My Trips,” enter your home and work destinations, and click on “Find Matches.” Your personal information is not shared with other users, but you can use the Go Redmond system to send a message to any matches.

Plan Your Transit Trip and Give It a Try

Riding transit is easier than ever! Use Metro’s or Sound Transit’s trip planning tools (or Google Maps) to find the nearest bus stop or light rail station and best schedule for your day.

You can now Tap to Pay for transit across the region! Simply tap your ORCA, credit or debit card, or use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay on your phone or smart device before you board.

How to Get an ORCA Card

ORCA cards can be purchased at ticket machines at Downtown Redmond, Marymoor Village and Overlake Village light rail stations. You can also create an online account or download an app to order or add value to a card, or pick one up at a store, vending machine or customer service location. Learn more about ORCA cards.

Move Redmond is bringing back dancing in the streets this summer!

Move Redmond Open Streets Festival: Dancing in the Streets will celebrate the joy of transforming an intersection into a dance floor. Move Redmond will expand Downtown Redmond Park off the grass and into the street allowing people to reimagine how public streets can be places for people to connect.

On Saturday, August 15 Move Redmond will highlight many forms of dance to celebrate the beautiful and diverse cultures of the people in Redmond. In addition to turning the intersection of Cleveland Street and 161st Ave NE into a dance floor, the event will feature community organizations (including Go Redmond!), local businesses and food vendors for attendees to enjoy. 

Move Redmond is also looking for volunteers to help support this great community event:

Volunteer!

Hop on board! Taking transit is a great way to save money and relax on your way to work, while running errands, or heading to events around the region. Log your light rail or bus trips this month to win!

Log 2 bus or light rail trips on Go Redmond to receive a free Go Redmond swag item AND be entered to win a $10 Subway gift card.

Log 6 bus or light rail trips on Go Redmond to be entered to win one of several gift cards to Redmond restaurants and activities including Flatstick Pub, Flee Escape Rooms & VR Arena, Matador, Bai Tong Thai, and Izakaya Supa Banana.

Play Transit Bingo with Transportation Choices Coalition to earn more this month! And keep earning all summer by participating in the Car Free Summer Bingo Challenge!

Commute AND personal trips count, so this is a perfect opportunity to try using transit to get to work or that dinner or retail spot you’ve been meaning to check out.

Log Your Trips

Plan Your Trip and Give It a Try

Riding transit is easier than ever! Use Metro’s or Sound Transit’s trip planning tools (or Google Maps) to find the nearest bus stop or light rail station and best schedule for your day.

You can now Tap to Pay for transit across the region! Simply tap your ORCA, credit or debit card, or use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay on your phone or smart device before you board.

This summer, Go Redmond is encouraging residents of all ages to discover how fun and rewarding it can be to get around Redmond without driving. Whether you’re hopping on light rail to visit Marymoor Park, walking to grab coffee, taking a Lime Scooter to the Saturday Market, or taking the bus to a community event, every car-free trip can help you earn rewards through the new Go Redmond Car-Free Summer Challenge.

The challenge features bingo cards for both adults and kids filled with simple activities designed to help you explore local destinations while reducing traffic and greenhouse gas emissions. Participants can check off squares by trying activities like:

  • Taking light rail or the bus to a sporting event
  • Walking or biking to a park or workout class
  • Combining errands into one car-free trip
  • Trying a “no driving day”
  • Exploring a new trail or walking route
  • Using RedLink, Redmond’s free electric shuttle

Completed car free summer bingo cards can be submitted by bringing them to Redmond City Hall or by emailing a photo to goredmond@redmond.gov by September 1 to earn prizes.

Where to Get Your Car Free Summer Bingo Cards

Printed bingo cards are available at:

  • Redmond City Hall
  • Redmond Senior & Community Center
  • Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village

You can also print your own bingo cards here:

2026_CarFreeSummerChallenge_BingoCard_Adults_8.5×11Download
2026_CarFreeSummerChallenge_BingoCard_Kids_8.5×11Download

How to Go Car Free to Popular Summer Destinations

Redmond Summer DestinationsTransit Routes and Trail Connections
Marymoor Park & Concert VenueBus Routes 542, 223
Light Rail (Marymoor Village Station),
Sammamish River Trail & East Lake Sammamish Trail
Idylwood Park & Swim BeachBus Routes 222, 221
East Lake Sammamish Trail
Grass Lawn Community ParkBus Routes B Line, 245, 225, 223
Perrigo Community ParkBus Route 224
Esterra Park (Overlake)Bus Routes BLine, 223, 245, 249,545
Light Rail (Overlake Village Station),
Redmond Library & Redmond City Hall CampusBus Routes B Line, 221, 222, 250
Sammamish River Trail
RedLink
Redmond Senior & Community CenterBus Routes 222, 250 S
Sammamish River Trail
RedLink
Redmond Community Center at Marymoor VillageBus Routes 542, 223
Light Rail (Marymoor Village Station)
Sammamish River Trail and Marymoor Connector trail
Downtown ParkBus Routes B Line, 222, 250
Light Rail (Downtown Redmond Station)
Redmond Central Connector
RedLink
Redmond Town CenterBus Routes B Line, 250
Light Rail (Downtown Redmond Station)
Redmond Central Connector
RedLink
Bear Creek Village (Safeway, Panera, Agave Cantina, Yummy Teriyaki, Apna Bazaar)Bus Routes 250, 224
RedLink
Redmond Center (Trader Joe’s, Ben Franklin, Club Pilates, QFC, 028 Barber Shop, Soulfood Coffee)Bus Routes B Line, 250
Redmond Central Connector
RedLink

Go Redmond is committed to helping people drive less by making sustainable transportation fun and accessible. In addition to helping reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, walking, biking, and transit can help residents save money, stay active, and experience the community in a new way.

This summer, challenge yourself to leave the car behind and see where your next trip takes you!