Community Transit

U-PASS Powered by ORCA

All Husky Cards Now on 'Tap'

The U-PASS for all UW students, faculty and staff is powered by ORCA effective Sept. 21. U-PASS has partnered with ORCA to include the region’s smart card transit technology inside the new Husky Cards. Instead of a U-PASS sticker, the U-PASS transit benefit is stored inside the smart chip in the card.

University of Washington students, staff and faculty can now tap their Husky card on the ORCA reader on board buses or at Swift stations rather than showing it to coach operators. The ORCA-powered U-PASS covers full fare on all regular bus and train service operated by ORCA partners, just like a U-PASS validation sticker - only way more high-tech.

Student U-PASSes with a summer validation sticker will continue to be accepted as a “flash” pass through Sept. 30.

All new student Husky cards have an ORCA symbol on them, and will be loaded with a bus pass for fall quarter.

If your ORCA-powered U-PASS is tapped and shows “insufficient funds,” please be prepared to pay the correct fare in cash and contact the UW Commuter Services Office for assistance with your card.

Bus Service to the U-District

Community Transit offers seven bus routes from Snohomish County to the University of Washington and U-District in Seattle. Free yourself from high gas prices and stressful commutes by exercising your University of Washington U-PASS options - unlimited rides on any area transit agency, free parking and subsidized fares for vanpools, and many other benefits.

Highlights

Swift bus rapid transit between Everett and Shoreline connects to U-District service near Highway 99 (Edmonds Park & Ride) and at Aurora Village (King County Metro Route 373). With your U-PASS, just board Swift at any door and be prepared to show you valid pass to a Swift Ambassador upon request.

Park & Ride. Community Transit bus service to the University Districts departs from park & rides and locations all over Snohomish County. With local bus service connections and bike racks on every bus, you might not even need to start your car. Check out bus service from Swamp Creek (on 164th St in Lynnwood), McCollum Park, Edmonds and Cedar and Grove, our newest park & ride in Marysville served by Route 821.

Day & Night. Community Transit Route 810 and Sound Transit ST Express buses serve the University District at off-peak times For staff and faculty, the U-PASS also provides an emergency ride home benefit.

Vanpool & Carpool. Join a van or start your own. The UW pays up to $70 a month toward vanpool fares for U-PASS holders. Primary drivers get their U-PASS free. Vans get priority ferry loading and free parking on campus. Bike racks are available.

Register at www.rideshareonline.com to find carpool and vanpool matches within minutes. The U-PASS website also lists vanpools looking for riders.

Shop & Save. Get discounts with your U-PASS at more than 50 U-District merchants. Or use your U-PASS to get to shopping elsewhere (like Alderwood or Downtown Seattle) and save on gas and parking.

University District Routes

• Route 810, Park & rides at McCollum, Mariner, Ash Way, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace
• Route 821, Marysville Cedar and Grove Park & Ride, Lynnwood
• Route 855, Lynnwood Transit Center
• Route 860, Mariner Park & Ride and McCollum Park & Ride
• Route 871, Edmonds Park & Ride, Mountlake Terrace
• Route 880, Mukilteo, North Lynnwood Transit Center
• Route 885, North Lynnwood
• Route 424, Snohomish, Monroe, Montlake Station

Sound Transit ST Express Routes 510 and 511 serve I-5 & NE 45th St at select times.
Click here to plan a trip to the University District from anywhere in the Puget Sound region