Subsidized annual pass

This program will only subsidize Metro and Sound Transit trips. This program is provided by King County, with Sound Transit joining as a two-year pilot.

To ride on other transit agencies, customers may be able to use their ORCA LIFT or RRFP card to ride at a reduced fares on transit agencies beyond Metro and Sound Transit.

Customers will be responsible for adding value to their cards (via E-purse) to ride on transit agencies that are not Metro or Sound Transit.

The subsidized annual pass will cover all trips from Metro to Metro, from Sound Transit to Sound Transit, and from Metro to/from Sound Transit.

Transfers between Metro/Sound Transit and the other transit agencies will not be covered by the subsidized annual pass.

If a customer uses their subsidized ORCA LIFT card to pay for travel on Community Transit, Pierce Transit, Kitsap Transit, or Everett Transit, standard transfer rules apply for transfers within and between those transit agencies.

No, there will be no visible difference between a regular ORCA LIFT card and an ORCA LIFT card loaded with a subsidized annual pass.

All eligible customers that enroll in the subsidized annual pass program will need to get a new ORCA LIFT card that will be valid for 2+ years. Current cards will be blocked within 7 days.

• Any unused funds will be transferred to their new ORCA LIFT card
• If their current ORCA LIFT card has a Puget Pass, that card will be blocked at the start of the next month

All RRFP cardholders that choose to enroll in the subsidized annual pass program will also need to get a new ORCA LIFT card that will be valid for 2+ years. RRFP cardholders whose RRFP cards will expire within 12 months will automatically have the subsidized annual pass added onto their ORCA LIFT card.

RRFP cardholders whose cards will remain active for at least another 12 months and have one of two options:

• Have the subsidized annual pass added onto their ORCA LIFT card and keep their RRFP card as is.
• Request to add the subsidized annual pass onto a new RRFP card and keep their ORCA LIFT card as a regular ORCA LIFT card (without a subsidized annual pass).

Contact DSHS to see if you are eligible to enroll in the state benefit programs.

Eligibility for the six state benefit programs requires income at or below 80% FPL, plus additional requirements. The additional requirements are unique to each program, but may include factors such as available resources.

There is currently no set date for expanding this program beyond the qualifying programs. However, Metro and Sound Transit are continuing to evaluate data and discussing how the program might be expanded to serve more people. Check back here for updates.

Customers may be eligible to obtain a Youth, ORCA LIFT, or RRFP card to ride King County Metro and other transit services around the Puget Sound at reduced fares. We want customers to get connected to the reduced fare program that’s right for them. Customers can go to kingcounty.gov/WhichOrcaFare to find the right ORCA fare for them.

Nothing will change until a customer needs to re-enroll after 12 months. An ORCA LIFT card can continue to be used to ride at a reduced fare until the date printed in red on the back of the card, regardless if a customer’s income changes. The subsidized annual pass will be valid for up to 12 months, regardless of whether a customer’s enrollment status in one of the benefit programs changes.

You are eligible to renew your subsidized annual pass if your current subsidized annual pass will expire within one month AND you are still enrolled in one of the six qualifying state benefit programs. You can apply to renew your subsidized annual pass by any of the options listed above in the How to apply section. If you renew your subsidized annual pass, you will get another annual pass added onto your same card. Make sure you tap your card within 45 days to make sure your annual pass loads onto your card correctly.

If you no longer qualify for the subsidized annual pass, you can still use your ORCA LIFT card to ride transit at a reduced fare, until the date written on the back of your ORCA LIFT card. You can load value online at myORCA.com or in person at an ORCA customer service office, at a participating retailer, or at a ticket vending machine. You can also load value or find out more information on how to load value onto your card by calling Metro’s Call Center at 206-553-3000.

To replace an ORCA LIFT or RRFP card that was loaded with the subsidized annual pass, customers should contact Metro’s reduced fare phone number, 206-477-4200. The remainder of the subsidized annual pass will transfer onto their replacement ORCA LIFT or RRFP card.

Customers can choose to have their replacement card mailed to them or can arrange to pick up their replacement card once it's ready at the King Street Center Pass Sales Office. Replacement cards will be offered at no cost to customers.