What is the Frequent Transit Network and why is it important?
The Frequent Transit Network (FTN) is the City’s vision for a well-connected, frequent, and reliable transit system, where traveling by bus throughout Seattle is convenient and easy to choose. The FTN was most recently updated in 2024 through the Seattle Transportation Plan (STP), with more ambitious transit frequency targets compared to the previous version. In the updated FTN:
- Transit frequency targets apply seven days per week, rather than aiming for less frequent service on weekends
- A new, higher frequency category was introduced – “Frequent: Better than 10 minutes” – for some of the bus routes that serve the most people
- Targets include more frequent service in the evenings and nights
- Many streets have higher frequency targets than in the previous FTN
The FTN consists of three transit frequency targets and a transit network map showing the distribution of the targets throughout the city.
Goal: Better than 10 minutes.
- 6AM-7PM: Buses come every 6-10 minutes
- 7PM to midnight: Buses come every 10-15 minutes
- Midnight to 6AM: Buses come every 30 minutes
Goal: 10 minutes.
- 6AM-7PM: Buses come every 10 minutes
- 7PM to midnight: Buses come every 15 minutes
- Midnight to 6AM: Buses come every 30-60 minutes
Goal: 15 minutes.
- 6AM-9PM: Buses come every 15 minutes
- 9PM to midnight: Buses come every 30 minutes
- Midnight to 6AM: Buses come as needed
Frequent Transit Network Map
Frequently Asked Questions
The Frequent Transit Network is the guiding vision that directs Seattle Transit Measure (STM) transit service investments. Thanks to Seattle voters, we use STM funds to pay for more frequent bus service in Seattle, on top of what King County Metro provides. All STM transit service investments are bringing Seattle bus service closer to the Frequent Transit Network vision.
- In 2021, our transit network was at 96% completion of the previous version of Frequent Transit Network (FTN) - nearly entirely complete!
- We updated the FTN in 2024 with new targets, so as of 2024 our transit network was at 81% FTN completion. By setting our sights higher with a more ambitious and updated FTN, we expected our percent completion would drop.
- Stay tuned for more information! We will report on our progress in 2025 towards this new FTN in our upcoming 2025 STM Annual Report, scheduled for release in Summer 2025.
“10-minute network metric”: The percentage of Seattle households living within a 10-minute walk of transit service that comes every 10-minutes or better on weekdays between 6am and 7pm. This metric was first defined in the 2015 Move Seattle Plan and was a key driver of SDOT's investment in transit service through the Seattle Transit Benefit District (STBD). Progress toward this metric was reported in the STBD and Seattle Transit Measure annual reports.
When the Seattle Transportation Plan was adopted in 2024, SDOT established a new vision for transit service through the Frequent Transit Network. This updated vision expands the way we think about quality transit service in Seattle beyond just the daytime on weekdays. The Frequent Transit Network elevates the importance of frequent transit service 24/7, including on weekends, in the evenings, and at night, when many people are traveling throughout the city. This aligns with permanent changes in ridership patterns observed since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Frequent Transit Network became the new, more ambitious target for SDOT's transit service investments and the Seattle Transit Measure focuses on measuring progress toward its completion. As of 2024, we have completed 81% of the FTN.
As of 2025, 52% of Seattle households are in the 10-minute network. SDOT continues to track progress toward a version of the 10-minute network metric through the Seattle Transportation Plan (STP) Performance Metrics (link to STP website). Progress toward the metric will be reported every 2 years in the STP Performance Report, with the first report planned for release in 2026.
All Seattle Transit Measure transit (STM) service investments make progress toward the Frequent Transit Network to improve our transit network, but not all directly improve the 10-minute network metric. Here is why:
- Many STM investments go toward improving transit service during off-peak periods such as weekends, evenings, and nights, when many people rely on the bus, and when service tends to be the least frequent. These investments do not add to the 10-minute network metric since they are not during the daytime on weekdays.
- STM makes major investments in routes to increase transit frequencies from 30-min to 15-min or 15-min to 12-min. This improves transit frequency but is not captured in the 10-minute network metric.
- Bus routes have different frequency targets based on their neighborhood context. Not all of them call for 10-minute or better service. When STM makes improvements to routes that have a 15-minute frequency target, progress toward the 10-minute network metric does not increase.
In Seattle, transit service is the most frequent from 6am-7pm on weekdays. The Frequent Transit Network and Seattle Transit Measure investments are geared toward improving frequencies all day and all week, with an emphasis on addressing the lowest frequency parts of the network first.
Seattle’s bright future is inextricably tied to the quality of the transit system. By 2050, Seattle is expected to be a city of nearly 1 million people, and the city has set an ambitious goal of more than doubling transit ridership from 2019 levels by 2030. To achieve our shared... — Seattle Transportation Plan