Monorail, and the Seattle Streetcar. Google Maps also provides trip planning using schedule data as part of their Google Transit service. ORCA Card Metro is a participating agency in the regional smart card program called ORCA (One Regional Card for All). It was launched for public use on April 20, 2009, along with six other transit agencies in the region. Bus stop technology RapidRide stations as well as major bus stops in Downtown Seattle are also receiving what Metro calls a "Tech Pylon", a free standing wireless-capable kiosk, that has next bus arrival signs and an ORCA validator for off-board fare payment. Fleet As of 2017, King County Metro operates the 10th largest fleet of buses in the United States, with a total of 1,540 buses. The fleet includes a mix of electric trolleybuses, diesel-electric hybrids, and battery electric buses. Buses range in size from shuttles to articulated buses on higher-demand routes. In 1978, Metro was the first large transit agency to order high-capacity articulated buses (buses with a rotating joint). Today, King County Metro has one of the largest articulated fleets in North America (second only to MTA New York City Transit) and articulated buses account for about 42% of the agency's fleet. In 1979, the agency ordered some of the first wheelchair lift equipped coaches in the nation, promising a completely new level of independence for disabled residents. Early lifts were severely flawed, but by the mid-1980s the lifts were generally reliable and were ordered on all new buses. Metro's entire fleet has been wheelchair-accessible since 1999. Metro was reluctant to adopt low-floor buses, not buying any until 2003. Low-floor coaches have slightly reduced seating capacity (because the wheelwells intrude further into the passenger compartment) which may have been a concern. Whatever the reason for the delay, Metro has now embraced low-floor buses and all new fleet additions since 2003 have been low-floor, with the last high-floor buses retired in 2020. References External links Metro Transit OneBusAway Metro Employees Historic Vehicle Association (MEHVA) Seattle Tunnel on History Link Metro Tracker Applications mybus.org Bus Monster Central Puget Sound Regional Fare Coordination Metro/Sound Transit Smart Bus Project Comparative study between Diesel and GM Hybrid bus fleets operating in Seattle (King County) Elliott Bay Water Taxi Why You Should Trust King County Metro Trip Planner Sound Transit Bus transportation in Washington (state) Metro Transit authorities with alternative-fuel vehicles Transportation in King