Fall is near! Do you have your Youth ORCA card?
As a reminder, youth 18 and younger ride transit for free all year long. For riders 13 and older, using a Youth ORCA card (also known as a Free Youth Transit Pass) is highly encouraged, but not required. Tapping a Youth ORCA card allows transit agencies to better understand how many young people are riding transit, including where and when. That information can help us plan services to better meet the needs of young riders.
For youth and families: Youth aged 13 and older can order a free Youth ORCA card online at FreeYouthTransitPass.com. For an easy step-by-step guide, check out this how-to video from our friends at Move Redmond.
For educators and school staff: If ordering individual Youth ORCA cards online is not an option for students you serve, please email us at MetroYouth@kingcounty.gov to learn about other options for ordering and distributing cards. More information about Youth ORCA cards and how to ride transit can also be found in Metro's Transit Education Curriculum for grades 2-12. You're welcome to use these materials in your classroom!
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Coming (really) soon: RapidRide G Line, Metro Flex expansion, Link light rail to Lynnwood
Beginning Sept. 14: King County Metro is increasing transit service, with more bus trips, more connections to Link light rail, and expanding Metro Flex to Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, and Mountlake Terrace. We're also launching the RapidRide G Line in Seattle, providing fast and frequent service through downtown Seattle, First Hill, Capitol Hill, the Central District, and Madison Valley. Learn more about the RapidRide G Line and related changes.
Beginning Aug. 30 (today!): Sound Transit's Lynnwood Link light rail extension opens! The service will extend the existing 1 Line to Lynnwood City Center, providing a new option for students and families to travel to school, work, and other activities via Link light rail, including traveling between downtown Seattle and Lynnwood in under half an hour. Visit https://www.soundtransit.org/snocolink for more information.
Student Transit Champions #SeizeTheBay
If you’ve been to a fair or festival in King County this summer, or explored the Seattle waterfront, you may have seen Metro’s Student Transit Champion interns (STCs). STCs have been working since early July to promote Free Youth Transit Pass, Metro Flex and the King County Water Taxi – including creating trendy social media content.
If you haven’t already, give the Water Taxi a follow on Instagram to stay in the loop! #SeizeTheBay
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Mode spotlight: Water Taxi
Speaking of the King County Water Taxi… it’s one of many types of transit that youth 18 and younger can ride for free! Using a Youth ORCA card is highly encouraged.
The Water Taxi sails between Pier 50 on the Seattle waterfront and West Seattle, and between Pier 50 and Vashon Island. You’ll be treated to some gorgeous views.
Visit kingcounty.gov/metro/WaterTaxi for more information and sailing schedules.
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Your photo could be featured in a Metro bus shelter!
Metro is partnering with the Photographic Center Northwest (PCNW) on an international call for photos to be featured at bus shelters across King County. Selected photos could remain in bus shelters for up to 10 years! This call for photos is open to all ages. Learn more about the Bus Shelter Photo Mural Competition.
Ride right!
Fill in the gaps! When standing on a crowded bus or train, move towards the back to ensure more passengers can board.
What we're reading
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Seattle Refined spotlights Free Youth Transit Pass. Did you see us on your local news channel? Free Youth Transit Pass was recently featured by Seattle Refined, with a video and article encouraging young people and their families to take advantage of free transit fares for youth 18 and younger across Washington state.
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Denver’s RTD continues Zero Fare for Youth. Denver’s hopping on board the free youth fare train! On July 30th, Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board of Directors voted unanimously to continue the Zero Fare for Youth program beyond the agency’s one-year pilot. Youth 19 and under can ride RTD transit in Denver for free.
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Amtrak ridership in Western Washington grew 75% in 2023, with more than 746,000 people riding Amtrak Cascades trains. And youth now ride free on Amtrak Cascades! As of May 2024, youth 18 and younger can ride free between any of 12 train stations in western Washington. Tickets are still required, and anyone younger than 16 must be traveling with an adult to be eligible for free fare. Free fares are only available on the Amtrak Cascades train and on bus trips beginning and ending in Washington state.
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