Redmond has more ways to get around than ever before—and not all of them involve driving alone. All these options can be confusing for the unfamiliar, so Go Redmond is here to help break it down.
Whether you’re commuting to work, heading to light rail, or running errands around town, there’s likely a transportation option that fits your trip, schedule, and budget. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose what works best.
| Service | Cost | Who Can Use It | Where in Redmond? | What It’s For | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Flex | ~$3 (ORCA card) | General public | Overlake | On-demand rides in Overlake | App-based, flexible routing, fills transit gaps |
| Metro Community Van | ~$2.75–$3 (ORCA card) | Groups (2+), advance booking | Citywide, parked at Hopelink & Marymoor Village Community Center | Group trips for errands or events | Volunteer driver, pre-scheduled |
| RedLink | Free | General Public | Downtown, parts of Education Hill & Willows Road | Short trips + light rail access | Free, small service area |
| Lime Scooters & E-bikes | ~$3–$10 per trip (varies) | General Public | Citywide | Quick, short-distance trips | Fast & flexible,charged a per-minute cost |
| Vanpool | ~$49/month | Regular commuters in a group | Citywide | Home-to-work commuting | Fixed schedule, lowest cost per commute |
Transit Mode Details:
Metro Flex is an on-demand, shared ride service like a public Uber that operates within a defined zone. You request a ride via app or phone, walk to a nearby pickup point, and share the ride with others.
In Redmond, this is currently only available in the Overlake neighborhood.
- Costs the same as a bus fare (typically $3 adult)
- If you use your ORCA card, you can transfer for free to or from a bus or light rail.
- Open to the general public in service zones
- Designed for short local trips and first/last mile connections to transit
- Metro Flex – King County, Washington
Community Van is a pre-scheduled, group-based service coordinated by a local partner (in Redmond, that is Hopelink). Community Van provides six-passenger and 12-passenger vans for prescheduled trips. Destinations can be anywhere within a two-hour drive of Redmond and can occur any day of the week 24 hours a day.
- Costs the same as a Metro bus fare ($3; youth free)
- Open to anyone, but requires:
- At least 2 riders
- Advance booking (≥2 days)
- Trips are driven by volunteer drivers who must first complete a short training
- Sign Up for Community Van
RedLink is a free, on-demand microtransit shuttle launched by the City of Redmond that is run by Circuit.
- Free to ride
- Open to residents and visitors within the service area
- Book via app to be picked up and taken for short trips.
- Rides may be shared with other riders shared rides; short trips
- Primary goal: connect neighborhoods to light rail and local destinations
- Download the RedLink/Circuit App
Shared micromobility (dockless scooters and bikes) available across Redmond.
- Pay per ride (unlock fee + per-minute or bundled pricing)
- Typical cost:
- ~$1 unlock + ~$0.25–$0.47/min
- ~20-min ride ≈ $3–$10 depending on pricing model
- Discounts available for low income residents and frequent users
- Open to anyone with a smartphone
- Best for short, spontaneous trips and first/last mile connections
- Lime Scooter app
A shared commuter van for people traveling similar routes.
- Monthly cost: ~$49 per rider, often subsidized by employers
- Requires a group, typically 5–15 people
- Fixed schedule and route such as between home and work
- Vehicle provided by King County Metro and can be used by the driver for some personal trips.
- Find a vanpool
“What Should I Use?” Decision Guide
Going to light rail? RedLink, Metro Flex, or Lime
Quick errand? RedLink or Lime
Daily commute? Vanpool
Traveling with a group? Community Van
Trying a new way to get around—even once or twice a week—can save money, reduce stress, and help keep Redmond moving.
