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Local Transit Agencies


It is possible to use various local transit agencies to travel to and from Bellingham, which includes connections to:
  • Mt. Vernon, Oak Harbor, and greater Whidbey Island
  • Everett, Lynnwood, and locations in Eastern Snohomish County
  • Seattle, Shoreline, and Bellevue
  • Tacoma, Lakewood, and greater Pierce County
  • Bremerton and the greater Kitsap Peninsula
Below is a timetable for weekday southbound travel along I-5, typically done on Friday evening:

Afternoon Departure

Depart Arive Route Cost Notes
Bellingham Station @ 3:15 PM Skagit Station (Mt. Vernon) @ 3:57 PM 80X Mt. Vernon None (Bus Pass) N/A
Skagit Station @ 4:45 PM Everett Station @ 5:30 PM 90X Everett $2.00 N/A
Everett Station @ 5:50 PM 5th and Pike (Seattle) @ 6:44 PM 510 Seattle $2.50 Ask for Transfer
2nd and University @ 7:04 PMM Tacoma Dome Station @ 7:56 PM 594 Lakewood $0.50 (With Transfer) Serves SR 512 P&R

Evening Departure

Depart Arive Route Cost Notes
Bellingham Station @ 5:15 PM Skagit Station (Mt. Vernon) @ 5:57 PM 80X Mt. Vernon None (Bus Pass) N/A
Skagit Station @ 6:00 PM Everett Station @ 6:45 PM 90X Everett $2.00 N/A
Everett Station @ 7:30 PM 5th and Pike (Seattle) @ 8:22 PM 510 Seattle $2.50 Ask for Transfer
2nd and University @ 8:42 PM Tacoma Dome Station @ 9:33 PM 594 Lakewood $0.50 (With Transfer) Serves SR 512 P&R

Below is a timetable for weekday northbound travel along I-5, typically done on Monday morning:

Depart Arive Route Cost Notes
Tacoma Dome Station @ 4:55 AM 4th and Union (Seattle) @ 5:41 AM 591 Seattle $3.00 Ask for Transfer
4th and Union @ 5:55 AM Everett Station @ 6:43 AM 510 Everett None (With Transfer) N/A
Everett Station @ 6:50 AM Skagit Station (Mt. Vernon) @ 7:35 AM 90X Mt. Vernon $2.00 N/A
Skagit Station @ 7:45 AM Bellingham Station @ 8:30 AM 80X Bellingham None (Bus Pass) N/A

Some other important information for those traveling by local transit agencies:
  • If you are not sure about a route or schedule, always ask a driver
  • Always check online schedules at transit agency websites to get the most current schedule information and do not hesitate to tell the driver you are making a timed connection.
  • The times listed above all enable a student to arrive at Western Monday morning before their 9:00 AM classes.
  • From some locations, including Lynnwood, Everett, and Oak Harbor, earlier connections are available that enable a student to arrive before their 8:00 AM classes, though connections can be tight and the driver should be notified.
  • A special 80X Shuttle is provided at select times to shuttle students directly to and from the 80X at Lincoln Creek P&R and Western’s main campus, and using this shuttle may prove convenient for students traveling to and from class.
  • The agencies which provide the routes listed above are WTA (www.ridewta.com), SKAT (www.skat.org), Island Transit (www.islandtransit.org), Community Transit (www.communitytransit.org), Sound Transit (www.soundtransit.org), and Washington State Ferries (www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/)
  • Go online to www.wwu.edu/sustain for updated schedule, route, and fare information, or contact the Western’s Student Alternative Transportation Coordinator at AS.Transportation@wwu.edu

Greyhound Bus Service

  • Several Greyhound busses leave Bellingham each day, heading for various destinations, including Vancouver B.C., Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Kelso-Longview, and Vancouver, as well as locations in Eastern Washington
  • The Bellingham Greyhound terminal is located at the Fairhaven Transportation Center, and is served by WTA Route 401
  • The current cost of a round trip ticket to Seattle is $34.50, to Tacoma for $45.50, to Olympia for $45.50, to Kelso-Longview for $74.50, and to Vancouver for $74.50, to Vancouver B.C. for $33.50, to Ellensburg for $87.00, and to Spokane for $92.50
  • Go online to www.greyhound.com for more information and updated schedules and fares
Amtrak Service

The Amtrak Cascades also serves Bellingham at the Fairhaven Transportation Center, served by WTA Route 401, with several trains arriving and departing each day
  • The current cost of a round trip ticket to Edmonds is $40.00, to Seattle for $40.00, to Tacoma for $40.00, to Olympia for $42.00, Kelso for $58.00, and Vancouver for $58.00
  • Go online to www.amtrak.com for more information and updated schedules and fares
Bellair Airporter Shuttle

The Bellair Airporter Shuttle provides multiple daily trips between Bellingham and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
  • The Airporter leaves from the Val-U Inn Motel near Lakeway Center, and both WTA Route 11 and the WWU Late Night Shuttle serve this area
  • The Airporter departs approximately every two hours, and a round-trip fare is $60.00
  • Go online to www.airporter.com for more information and updated schedules and fares
Yellow Cab Taxi Information

Yellow Cab of Whatcom Skagit provides taxi service throughout Whatcom County
  • Due to the late or weekend arrival times, it may be necessary for a student to utilize this service to get from the Fairhaven Transportation Center and Western’s Campus
  • The fare for a trip from the Fairhaven Transportation Center to Western’s main campus is about $8.00, depending on the exact destination
  • Students are encouraged to share taxis with other students also traveling to Western to minimize their costs
  • Go online to http://www.yellowcabinc.com/ or call 360-734-8294 for more information, updated schedules and fares, or to request a ride