The Recovery Card Program Expanded to Othello and Rainier Beach!
Last summer, we launched the Recovery Card Program to aid essential workers and small businesses as they recovered economically from the pandemic. Focusing on the Chinatown/International District and Pioneer Square, the program distributed temporary, fully-subsided ORCA cards to over 1,800 food service and grocery store workers in the area.
The program proved a rousing success, with cardholders taking around 40,000 transit trips every month. Participants reported saving money and taking transit more frequently after receiving the card, using it to travel to and from work, grocery stores, parks, medical appointments, schools, and more. We learned that many Recovery card recipients did not have consistent access to a car and rely on public transit to get to places in their daily lives.
Following this success, TAP was excited to announce the expansion of the Recovery Card Program to Othello and Rainier Beach. Beginning in June 2022, 900 additional food service and grocery workers in the area were eligible to apply for the Recovery Card. Eligible applicants can still sign up via our online form. Card benefits will expire at the end of 2022. We’re excited to hear how new participants use their ORCA Recovery Cards!
We partnered with Community Liaisons to get out the word about Recovery cards!
TAP is Partnering with Seattle Public Schools to Get Families to Jump Start
Seattle Public Schools’ (SPS) Jump Start Kindergarten Transition Program is back this summer from August 15-19! Schools have reached out to families with children entering kindergarten and invited them to participate in this optional program that helps students make the ‘jump’ to school.
We know that transportation to and from Jump Start schools can a be a challenge for some families. So, for the second year, TAP is partnering with schools to offer families ORCA cards so they can take transit to attend the program. Families can request up to 4 ORCA cards preloaded with $35 in value each by filling out our online form. (Children 5 and under can still ride free on public transit and do not need to have an ORCA card).
Free Youth Transit Pass (AKA Free Youth Fares) Take Effect Fall 2022
Starting September 1, 2022, transit riders 18 and younger can take transit for free thanks to Move Ahead Washington, a statewide transportation funding package. Please note free youth fares will not be available on Washington State Ferries until October 1, 2022. If you are a Seattle Public School student and already have an ORCA Youth card, keep it! It will serve as your new Youth Transit Pass through June 30, 2023.
If you are 12 and younger, you are encouraged, but not required to have an ORCA card to ride. For youth 13 and older, you are highly encouraged to show one of the following to a driver:
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Youth ORCA Card – please remember to “tap” on the buses and “tap off” when you ride light rail!
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Current High School or Middle School ID
Youth who do not have these will still be allowed to ride for free.
Make Your Voice Heard on the Seattle Transportation Plan
SDOT would like to hear about your needs and priorities so we can create a transportation system that works for everyone – now and in the future. Please tell us what you think!
The Office of Community Planning and Development (OPCD) is also asking for your help to create the Seattle Comprehensive Plan Update (the One Seattle Plan). Visit OPCD’s One Seattle Plan Engagement Hub to learn more and share your input to guide Seattle’s big-picture future.
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