Hopelink’s Mobility Management team empowers people to change their lives by facilitating access to the community through transportation. We do this by (1) providing travel education and resources to build awareness of existing transportation options; (2) supporting the coordination of special needs transportation through cross-sector collaborations; and (3) gathering data and needs assessment to recommend and implement improved services. We work to make it easier for all people to get around King County through innovative and collaborative problem solving.
Hopelink Mobility Management takes a multi-faceted approach to serving the community:
- Mobility Education & Outreach
- King County Mobility Coalition (KCMC)
- Sub-Regional Coalitions
- Regional Alliance for Resilient and Equitable Transportation (RARET)
- Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
- Regional Transportation Resources
Programs & Resources
Hopelink’s Mobility Education and Outreach programs serve a variety of King County residents, including people with disabilities, older adults, low-income individuals, limited English proficiency populations, immigrants and refugees, and other disproportionately impacted populations. Hopelink staff provides education and resources through four programs in King County: Getting Around Puget Sound (GAPS), Travel Ambassadors, Public Transit Orientation (PTO), and Transportation Resources line (TRL).
Getting Around Puget Sound (GAPS)
This program connects King County residents with information on the various travel options that can improve their regional mobility and help them regain transportation independence. Hopelink staff and GAPS volunteers provide one-on-one transportation assistance at community centers, libraries, and other gathering places. If you are interested in having our team attend your resource fair or community event email us at Mobility@hopelink.org or call 425-943-6760.
Travel Ambassadors
Hopelink partners with social service agencies and community organizations to provide travel training and resources to employees who work with a diverse range of clients. The trained social service workers then pass on these resources to their clients, empowering them with greater mobility and expanding their knowledge on reliable transportation options.
If you are interested in scheduling a free, comprehensive training for your staff to learn transit basics such as trip planning, how to pay your fare, alternate transportation options, and services for specific populations including older adults and people with disabilities, email us at Mobility@hopelink.org or call 425-943-6760.
Public Transit Orientation (PTO)
Hopelink’s Mobility Education & Outreach provide Public Transit Orientation (PTO) excursions for small groups of people who are unfamiliar with the transportation system in the Puget Sound. This program is aimed at increasing independence and mobility of the participants on public transportation through guided trips to cultural and educational sites, service locations, or outdoor events. Pre-trip instruction is included, and bus/transit fares are provided.
For additional information and to schedule an excursion for your clients, email us at Mobility@hopelink.org or call 425-943-6760.
*If your clients have mobility challenges, reach out to King County Metro for more specialized travel instructions.
Transportation Resources Line
Call Hopelink’s Transportation Resources Line (TRL) at 425-943-6760 to receive one-on-one support with finding transportation options such as local shuttles, volunteer driver programs, medical transportation services, and more. Hopelink staff can also help clients navigate public transportation routes and provide individualized trip plans. We recognize that transportation needs are unique to each person, and we are here to help our customers find their best, most affordable options. TRL is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. If we are unavailable, leave a voicemail and we will return your call within two business days. To learn more about this service, or to get help with transportation, please email us at Mobility@hopelink.org or call 425-943-6760.
The King County Mobility Coalition (KCMC) supports the coordination of King County special needs transportation to better serve the community. Members include special needs transportation service providers, clients, and funders, from both the governmental, non-profit, and for-profit sectors from rural and urban areas throughout King County.
The Coalition brings together individuals and organizations to:
- Share information.
- Assess the needs of the local community and current transportation network.
- Provide recommendations to improve the system.
- Educate decision-makers, community groups, and the general public.
For more information, please visit the KCMC website, email Mobility@hopelink.org, or call 425-943-6760.
If you are interested in joining other coalitions in the Puget Sound region, please visit:
Because King County is as diverse geographically as it is demographically, these four sub-regional coalitions (the North King County Mobility Coalition, South King County Mobility Coalition, Eastside Easy Rider Collaborative and Snoqualmie Valley Mobility Coalition) each work to discover transportation needs and gaps in the existing transportation infrastructure in their local areas. We work with cities and non-profit agencies to make sure that the people who need transportation have access. We also create maps and other tools to help individuals get the most out of our transit system. At the regional level, Hopelink is a member of the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Special Needs Transportation Committee.
For more information on the sub-regional mobility coalitions, please click here to visit the KCMC website, contact Mobility@hopelink.org or call 425-943-6760.
Hopelink’s Mobility Management team provides staff support for the Regional Alliance for Resilient and Equitable Transportation (RARET) workgroup, which seeks to increase the critical transportation services available to older adults, people with disabilities, low-income individuals, and other vulnerable populations in the event of an emergency in the Puget Sound region. Current efforts include convening regional partners to identify opportunities for collaboration and resource sharing, building a network of transportation providers able to operate in an emergency, and identifying the transportation needs faced by populations with access and functional needs in a regional emergency. The workgroup features representation from emergency management, transportation, human services, and community advocates from King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.
For more information on the workgroup, please visit the RARET page or contact Mobility@hopelink.org or call 425-943-6760.
Hopelink partners with cities and other entities to supplement their Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programs. TDM for diverse communities seeks to enhance the equity of services provided by focusing on special needs populations that are willing and able to use alternatives to driving alone. Our definition of special needs populations includes immigrants, refugees, people with disabilities, veterans, low-income individuals, youth, and older adults. The goal of our program is to reduce both drive-alone commute and non-commute trips, and to promote more active methods of transportation among the populations mentioned above. The facilities we work with to reach these populations include, but are not limited to food banks, healthcare facilities, libraries, affordable housing facilities, senior/community centers, and social service agencies.
For more information on our work with TDMs, please contact Mobility@hopelink.org or call 425-943-6760.