All Seattle high school students and Seattle Promise scholars will soon receive free ORCA passes, good for 12-months of unlimited use. Seattle Public Schools (SPS) are providing more information this week and planning student orientations.
Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced the intended effort in her February 20 State of the City Address; distribution of the cards begins next Wednesday, August 22, through individual schools.
New legislation signed in July establishes the new ORCA Opportunity Program, now serving:
- All SPS high school students
- Seattle Promise Scholars
- Income-qualified SPS middle school students
The effort replaces and expands last year’s highly successful Youth ORCA program, which helped more than 3,000 Seattle middle school students.
With a standard ORCA card, users load money onto it as needed, but not with #MyFreeORCA. This little blue gem gives students mobility, throughout the city, the county, and beyond!