Traffic & Transit
Free Youth Transit Begins Thursday Across Puget Sound
Riders 18 and younger can take light rail, buses and water taxis for free, year-round, thanks to funding from Move Ahead Washington.
SEATTLE — Young people will be able to ride most public transit for free starting this week, thanks to millions in funding included in the Move Ahead Washington transportation package approved by lawmakers earlier this year.
King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties together are home to an estimated 645,000 residents ages six to 18. While the change arrives just in time for the new school year, students will be able to take advantage of free rides during all seasons.
As of Thursday, riders 18 and younger can take free rides via Sound Transit, King County Metro, King County Water Taxi, Seattle Streetcar, Pierce Transit, Community Transit, Snoqualmie Valley Transit, Kitsap Transit and Kitsap Ferries. Everett Transit began zero youth fares in July, and Washington State Ferries will join suit in October.
Find out what's happening in Across Washingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
As the program launches, riders can use their existing youth or student ORCA cards, show their student ID, or just board and ride for free. More ORCA upgrades planned in 2023 will allow students to tap their free transit passes via smartphone or apply a special "smart sticker" to their identification.
The program is paid for by Move Ahead Washington, which offers millions in grants to transit agencies to adopt free youth fare policies by Oct. 1. In King County, Constantine's office said Metro expects nearly $32 million in grant funding. Typically, youth fares generate $10 million annually.
Find out what's happening in Across Washingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Free Youth Transit Pass is a generational pivot that builds a more equitable and sustainable future for our youth while connecting them to opportunity and providing needed financial help for families,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine last week. “Together, we’re reducing our carbon emissions and pollution in communities, delivering people where they need to go on a system that is increasingly zero-emission, and putting a massive down payment on a car-free future by making every kid in King County a transit rider.”
Learn more about the new free youth transit program on the ORCA website.
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