Community Transit is helping local employees save money while easing traffic across the region.

The Small Business Partnership Program gives Snohomish County companies with five to 49 employees free ORCA cards with unlimited trips for one year. Plus, businesses can earn a second year of free transit simply by referring other companies.

From January through July, 1,059 workers from 66 businesses have joined, generating 23,425 transit trips and saving employees $62,078.

Workers can use their ORCA cards on nearly all buses, trains, and ferries across seven regional transit agencies and four counties. Best of all, they can use the cards anytime—not just for their daily commute, but also for weekend outings and personal trips.

Alessandra Gonzalez, the program's marketing strategist, has been going door-to-door to local businesses to spread the word.

"We do all the heavy lifting—we provide pamphlets and hold orientations and information sessions where people work so they can learn everything they need to know about how the ORCA cards work, where they can take free trips, and how to receive guaranteed rides home on days they work overtime or miss their bus or train," she said.

Funded by a Washington State Department of Transportation Regional Mobility Grant, the initiative began at a time when many workers were hit hard by rising daily expenses.

"Considering the price of vehicles and the price of fuel, I estimate it saves me about $1,000 a month," said Joshua Staller, a dishwasher and server at Claypit Cuisine of India in Mill Creek.

Gonzalez plans to pound the pavement through 2027 to secure more sign-ups across Snohomish County.

To learn more, visit the program's webpage or watch That Transit Show.