Mayor Jenny Durkan in her 2018 State of the City Address, announced that Seattle Public high school students and Seattle Promise Scholars would be getting free ORCA passes. Passes will also be distributed to 3,000 middle school students who are income-eligible.The cost of the youth bus fare for many transit agencies has increased in recent years, placing the burden on families and students. With funding from Seattle Public Schools, King County Metro, Seattle Colleges and the Seattle Department of Transportation transit access will become a lot more more accessible and equitable.

“Expanding free ORCA to high school students and Seattle Promise scholars will save families money and help students get to school and their jobs safely. With this partnership, students can worry less about how they get places and more about their grades.” Said Mayor Durkan

The first year of the program will use 3.8 million dollars of funding that the city had previously set aside for ORCA and 1 million from King County Metro. To stay updated on this topic, visit Mayor Durkan’s website.