This Transpo Notes roundup touches on a mix of transit stories, including:
- Zero youth fares and ORCA Lift fare reduction begin;
- ORCA card readers are getting an upgrade and new cards coming;
- Sound Transit’s board approving an expanded fare ambassador program;
- Sound Transit’s board conceptually approving equitable transit-oriented development for two Link stations; and
- Pierce Transit launching a new on-demand mobility option.
Zero youth fares and ORCA Lift fare reduction begin
It’s official: zero youth fares have now rolled out across the Puget Sound region. Sound Transit, King County Metro, Pierce Transit, Community Transit, and Kitsap Transit all started offering zero youth fares today (September 1st). They join Everett Transit which went zero youth fare in July. Washington State Ferries will go zero youth fare in October.
Transit agencies in the regional ORCA pod are hoping to get youth (aged 18 and under) to use special zero youth fare card to track use and report data back to the state, which is providing offset grants to participating transit agencies (though Sound Transit does not qualify at this time).
Youth riders should at least have some form of identification, such as a student card on hand. Zero youth fares apply to the Seattle Streetcar and across participating transit agencies’ various service brands, but uniquely the Seattle Monorail is not participating at this time.
Metro has also rolled out a reduced ORCA Lift fare as of today. Fares are $1.00, which is the same as other transit providers like Sound Transit, Kitsap Transit, and Everett Transit.
