If it's been a while since you rode a bus, or ifyou've never been on a city bus, you might need a little help navigating the system.

But figuring out the bus system is relatively easy.

You don't have to stare at a route map and schedule to figure out which bus you need and when it comes.

Just go online.

King County Metro Transit, Sound Transit and Community Transit all offer trip planners, on their Web sites.

You enter your starting point, destination, the time you want to leave or arrive and the farthest you're willing to walk. The computer then gives you several options.

You can buy your bus pass in advance, or pay as you go with exact change.When traveling to downtown Seattle, you pay as you board. When leaving downtown, pay as you leave.

If you need to change buses, just ask the driver for a transfer as you board.

When you choose a park and ride lot you get more options, typically with more frequent buses.

The following south sound park and ride lots usually have spaces to spare:

Twin Lakes

Federal Way Transit Center

Federal Way at South 320th Street

Auburn lot at 15th Street NE

James Street lot in Kent

Temporary lot at the General Services Building on East Marginal Way

For More Information:

Retail locations for Metro schedules, passes and ticket books

Metro Park and Ride Lot locations

Metro Park and Ride Lot locations

Check our online traffic section for continuing coverage of the I-5 construction project, get your questions answered by KOMO traffic reporter Jenni Hogan, and check travel times, live cameras and more:

http://www.komotv.com/traffic