Get Your ORCA Regional Reduced Fare Permit Now!

Michael Miller, Accessibility Manager for Sound Transit's Mobility Initiative Program

For a limited time, Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) holders can trade in their old permits for a FREE Orca card.  

Q: How is ORCA different from the reduced fare permit I already have?

The new reduced fare permit ORCA offers the same benefits you currently have, and more, including increased transit mobility and improved transfer options. 

Sometimes called a senior or disabled bus pass, the RRFP entitles people ages 65+ to reduced fares on a number of Puget Sound area transit systems. Your new ORCA card will also be labeled "Regional Reduced Fare Permit" and your discounted fares are still in effect.

Q: What do I get with the Orca Card?

ORCA = One Regional Card for All. Step aboard any of seven Puget Sound area transit systems with one card!  Use ORCA to pay for travel on and transfers between all participating transit agencies in Puget Sound:

• Sound Transit/Link Light Rail
• Metro Transit
• Washington State Ferries
• Pierce County Transit
• Community Transit
• Everett Transit

Improved Transfers. ORCA gives you the ability to transfer your fare as you move between different transit types. Go from the bus to the ferry to light rail within a two hour period and the entire value of your first trip goes with you!

Easy Payment Options. Pre-load your ORCA with as little or as much money as you would like. No more fumbling for change when you get on the bus! The correct reduced fare you would normally pay is automatically calculated and deducted from your balance. Load your card or check your balance in whatever manner is most convenient for you: online, over the phone, by mail, at participating retail and ORCA customer service locations, or at ticket vending machines on rail station platforms.

Q: What is happening to the old paper transfers?

Metro and the other bus providers will continue to issue paper transfers during the transition period. However, these transfers cannot be used when transferring between transit types.

For example, you will still be able to get a paper transfer on a Metro bus and use it to transfer to another Metro bus. However, you cannot use it to transfer to Link Light Rail or another transit agency. 

Link Light Rail will not issue any paper transfers, and all transit agencies plan to eventually phase out paper transfers.

Q: How do I upgrade my RRFP for an ORCA card?

Between now and the end of the year, the $3 card fee is waived, which means there is no cost for you to upgrade to ORCA.

If you are over 65 years of age, you may come into a customer service location for any of the seven transit agencies mentioned above.

OR, you may send your current reduced fare permit card, along with proof of age, to an ORCA customer service office located within each of the seven transit agencies. For King County, the address is:

Metro Transit
MS/ KSC-TR-0102
201 S. Jackson Street
Seattle, WA 98104-3856

To find out the customer service information for other participating transit agencies, call 1-888-988-6722 (ORCA); TTY Relay: 711.

If you are disabled and under 65 years of age, you must go in person to an ORCA Customer Service Office to have your picture placed on the card. 

If you are unable to come into one of our locations, call 1-888-988-6722/TTY Relay: 711 during regular business hours.

Current RRFP card holders will need to turn in their cards to get ORCA.

Q: I don't have an RRFP. Can I still get ORCA?

Yes!

Anyone eligible for the RRFP (age 65+ or people with disabilities) can get ORCA. Contact the customer service office for any of the transit agencies listed above.

If you are not eligible for the RRFP, you can still get a free ORCA card between now and the end of the year.  All of the same benefits, except for the reduced fares, apply.

For More Information

ORCA Customer Service
1-888-988-6722 (ORCA)
TTY Relay: 711
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Non-English interpreter services: 1-800-823-9230
www.orcacard.com