Free transit for everyone 18 and under starting September 1st

A state grant is covering the cost of free transit for everyone in the region who’s 18 or younger, starting one week from today (Thursday, September 1st), and a media briefing was held this morning to ensure everyone knows. The free rides are available on every transit service in the region – King County Metro buses and water taxis, Access paratransit and on-demand services, Sound Transit buses and Link light rail, Seattle Streetcar, Pierce Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, Kitsap Transit, and Snoqualmie Valley Transit. Youth don’t need a special pass to ride fare-free, as explained in today’s announcement:

With the launch of the program, young riders can use current classic blue youth and student ORCA cards, show their student identification, or simply board and ride free. New black ORCA cards will also be available soon and distributed through schools and customer services. Any of these options will work, with more innovations on the horizon in 2023 including the ability to “tap” a smartphone or a “smart” sticker on a student ID.

You can find out more on the Free Youth Transit Pass webpage. One more change coming up – today’s briefing also included this reminder: “On Sept. 1, King County Metro will join Sound Transit, Kitsap Transit, and Everett Transit in offering $1 ORCA LIFT fares for riders who qualify based on their income.”

DAFFY August 25, 2022 (1:39 pm)

I believe youth 18 and under will also be able to ride Washington State Ferries for free starting 1 October 2022.

See https://wstc.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022-0720-BP16-WSF-FreeYouthTransitPass-Policy.pdf … especially slides # 7-8.

NW August 25, 2022 (2:07 pm)

Don’t forget thank that transit operator for their service oh and by the way we have lots of job openings once you qualify to operate busses. I am a transit user daily thank you all drivers for your service!!

Cat August 25, 2022 (4:45 pm)

Why?

Josh August 25, 2022 (9:24 pm)

Why not?

Bus August 25, 2022 (5:02 pm)

This is a great start! I would love to see public transit free for everyone, but free youth rides is amazing.

TJ August 25, 2022 (5:53 pm)

Nothing is free. Even the state grant is just taking tax payer money from another pot. Then when the grant money expires and they want to continue this program they will need to find a local source, which would be very expensive if was free for “everyone”

Reed August 25, 2022 (8:11 pm)

Increase car tabs and have that pay for it.
- Adam August 25, 2022 (10:19 pm)
  
  This is an awesome idea. I also want vegans to buy my chz burgers and tee-totalers to buy my booze and weed. Or, just to keep this on an even playing field, cuz that last but was clearly just a joke, hows bouts the bus agencies cover it when I fill my gas tank. Or let’s just quit being insane.
  - Bill August 26, 2022 (7:50 am)
    
    You’re wasting your time trying to inject some sanity!
  - Kathy August 26, 2022 (12:24 pm)
    
    You consuming chz burgers, alcohol and fossil fuels does not benefit society as a whole. Getting kids to school and encouraging use of public transportation does.

CB August 25, 2022 (8:31 pm)

I just purchased an orca card for my child this summer. Does anyone know if I will be able to get a refund on the balance or transfer it to my own account?

My Orca August 25, 2022 (10:55 pm)

Create an account at myorca.com. Link both Orca cards to the account. You can then transfer funds between cards.

Happy August 25, 2022 (9:21 pm)

This is great! Last year our SPS school bus unexpectedly didn’t operate for the first month so our middle schoolers relied on the 128 bus to get to school. With two kids the $$$ added up quickly. Rosa from SPS transportation services was so rude when we asked about Orca cards. We were so thankful when the bus service resumed and really appreciate the hard working school bus drivers.

Sorry, comment time is over.