A short trip to lunch, a library, or a transit station can still take careful planning when you use a wheelchair. Metro Flex offers another option in selected King County neighborhoods, but getting the right vehicle starts before the pickup request.
Check both addresses and service hours, save your wheelchair-accessibility needs, and request a ride when you are ready to travel. Leave room for changing availability and decide how you will get home. Use the steps below to turn a possible Metro Flex trip into a workable plan.
Check both addresses against the current service area
Use the service-area information on Metro’s current Flex page to check the exact starting point and destination. A neighborhood or city name is not enough to establish that a particular address is covered. Review hours for the day of travel, including the return.
Boundaries can change. The City of Sammamish’s service update describes a March 2026 adjustment that added Issaquah Highlands and removed the Squak neighborhood. An old saved map may therefore give the wrong answer.
Metro’s September 2026 Metro Matters post also reports new pilots in Auburn and Federal Way. Those additions expand local options; they do not establish one continuous, countywide ride zone. Check the actual journey before relying on a connection.
Set accessibility preferences before you request
Via’s Metro Flex instructions explain how to request a wheelchair-accessible vehicle through your profile, an accessibility form, or customer support at 206-258-7739. Phone and online booking are available if you do not use a smartphone.
Via’s accessibility instructions describe door-to-door service when wheelchair needs are recorded. Confirm your profile before the first ride and contact support if the proposed meeting point is unusable. Explain the entrance or route barrier so the agent can help resolve the pickup.
Describe the chair and any equipment that affects boarding or interior space. Metro currently lists one wheelchair passenger per vehicle. If two people in your party use wheelchairs, ask support how to arrange the journey before submitting a shared booking.
Also describe the assistance you need between the vehicle and the building entrance. Clarify who will provide it, especially if another person must meet you. Our assistance guide helps translate a service label into specific tasks.
Plan for a ride requested when you are ready
Metro’s Flex FAQ says rides cannot be reserved in advance. Demand can affect availability, and the app may offer other transit choices. An estimated arrival time is not a reservation for tomorrow’s appointment.
For your first trip, consider a destination with flexible arrival time. Be ready with your belongings and any companion before requesting the vehicle. Review the pickup information and complete the booking; looking at a trip option alone does not give you a confirmed ride.
For a time-sensitive visit, decide beforehand how long you can wait and which alternative you can actually use. Save the relevant contact details. If considering a private wheelchair ride, confirm its availability, assistance, and price separately.
Choose payment around your next connection
Metro accepts ORCA and reduced fares on Flex. Its payment guidance distinguishes ORCA transfers from Transit GO Ticket transfers, which cover Metro buses but not Link or Sounder. Credit or debit payments through the Flex app do not include onward transit transfers. Cash is not accepted.
Check the method that works for your entire itinerary and keep it accessible for boarding. Our ORCA reduced-fare guide explains RRFP applications and using the correct card. Ask support about payment for additional passengers rather than assuming one fare covers everyone.
Keep Metro Flex and Access bookings distinct
The Metro Flex Access On-Demand pilot is a separate option for selected Access customers. Its published information says enrollment is not open to all Access riders. General-public Metro Flex, the invitation-based pilot, and Access paratransit have different arrangements.
If you already use Access, confirm which service you are requesting and which rules apply. Our Access and private transportation comparison helps organize the broader choice.
Before leaving: confirm the accessibility settings, pickup location, payment method, service hours for the return, and a usable alternative if a ride is unavailable. Save support’s number somewhere you can reach without reopening the app.
Sources and further reading
Resources checked November 6, 2026. Program rules, facilities, and availability can change; confirm details with the responsible organization.
Plan your next ride
Share your route, timing, mobility device, and assistance needs. Stellar Mobility will review the trip details, availability, and pricing with you.
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