First ORCA card free for youth riders ages 6-18

Starting June 1, anyone age 6-18 will be able to get their first ORCA card for free.

The youth ORCA cards will provide riders with reduced fares on services operated by ORCA agencies, which includes Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, and Sound Transit.

Tom & Curley: What will it take for you to return to metro post-pandemic? 

“ORCA youth cards are popular and now getting one is easier than ever,” said Mary Cummings, Sound Transit Chief Administrative Officer and interim Chair of the ORCA Joint Board. “By eliminating the fee for getting an ORCA card, we hope even more young riders will take advantage of all the services our regional transit agencies offer.”

To clarify, this waives the previous fee for getting a youth ORCA card, but it does not mean youth get to ride free. The youth cards do offer reduced fares.

🚨Exciting News! 🚨

Beginning June 1, Puget Sound area youth (ages 6–18 years) will be able to get their first ORCA card at no charge.

This is a huge step forward in our work to make Youth ORCA Cards more accessible. Thanks to the ORCA transit agencies to make it happen. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/HcHiIRgfki

— Claudia Balducci (@KccClaudia) May 20, 2021

The action to waive the previous $5 fee for a new ORCA youth card makes permanent a promotion in place since December 2020. Seniors and disabled commuters who qualify for an ORCA Regional Reduced Fare Permit and low-income commuters have received free ORCA cards since 2018.

ORCA cards now free for certain low-income riders

Youth ORCA users can use their card’s E-purse to load value on the card for one trip at a time or add a pass for unlimited rides for a month. The first card will be free, but replacing a lost or stolen card will cost riders $5.

The KIRO Radio Newsdesk contributed to this report.

Follow @http://twitter.com/Mynorthwest