Getting there the affordable way with ORCA LIFT

Getting there the affordable way with ORCA LIFT

Jul 19, 2021

It’s happening. With each passing day, more people are needing to get to more places. If the cost of taking transit to increasing in-person school, work and other appointments feels burdensome, there is an affordable option: ORCA LIFT.

ORCA LIFT is the income-qualified reduced transit fare program for the Central Puget Sound region. Travelers who meet the criteria (income less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level) can ride at fares reduced by up to 66 percent. For Community Transit, the discount is 50 percent of the regular adult fare. Other transit fare discounts via ORCA LIFT are available with:

  • Everett Transit
  • Sound Transit Express bus, Sounder commuter rail and Link light rail
  • King County Metro buses and water taxi
  • Kitsap Transit buses
  • Seattle Streetcar
  • Seattle Monorail

Other agencies that accept ORCA cards will accept ORCA LIFT, but no discount will be applied. In 2022, a new ORCA card will debut, but current ORCA LIFT cards will continue to be valid.

The easiest way to get ORCA LIFT is online, by phone at 1-800-756-5437or by mail using this PDF.

There are three ways to qualify for ORCA LIFT:

  • By benefits program if enrolled in Apple Health / Medicaid, basic food (EBT), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); you’ll need your ProviderOne number or EBT number or DSHS Client ID number, plus a copy of your photo ID.
  • By student aid if receiving a Washington State Opportunity Grant; you’ll need a copy of your financial aid statement or award letter, plus a copy of your photo ID.
  • By income if your household income is less than double the federal poverty level; you’ll need 30 days of pay stubs, most recent tax return (for self-employed people) or an award letter from either the Unemployment, Labor & Industries or SSI/retirement programs. In addition to a copy of your photo ID, you’ll need school records, recent tax return or lease to confirm household size.

With an ORCA card in hand, there are multiple ways to travel about the region via a variety of regional or agency specific passes and by adding value to the card via its E-purse. That can be done online, at ticket vending machines, via phone at  888-988-6722 or at regional transit agency offices, including the Community Transit RideStore at Lynnwood Transit Center and the Everett Transit Customer Service Center at Everett Station.