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Virtual Drop-In Session: Learn about how our Safe Routes to School & ORCA Opportunity programs can support you on Sept. 29

Heading to school in pre-pandemic days. Photo Credit: SDOT Flickr.

Learn about our Safe Routes to School program and ORCA Opportunity resources at a virtual drop-in session on September 29 from 6 – 7 PM. 

Join the Microsoft Teams Meeting here.

Or, dial in using +1 206-686-8357 and Conference ID: 800 664 80#.

To request an interpreter or accommodations for persons with accessibility needs for the in-person event or the online presentation, please contact 206-639-9516 by September 22. 

COVID-19 has severely impacted the world and has disproportionately impacted communities of color in the United States. In August 2020, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) announced students would take courses online for the remainder of the year, with exceptions for special education students. 

Although schools are not physically open, our ORCA Opportunity Program and Safe Routes to School Equity Recommendations are still supporting  SPS middle and high school students. 

At the drop-in session, we’ll provide an overview of program updates and resources. This includes ORCA card eligibility and resources for students who walk or bike to school. 

Here’s a little bit more about these programs: 


ORCA Opportunity 


Riding the streetcar in pre-pandemic days. Photo Credit: SDOT Flickr.
Riding the streetcar in pre-pandemic days. Photo Credit: SDOT Flickr.

ORCA Opportunity provides free, unlimited use ORCA cards to SPS high school students, income-eligible SPS middle school students, Seattle Promise Scholars, and eligible Seattle Housing Authority residents. The program was renewed for a full year and participants will have free access to transit until August 31, 2021. 

What’s an ORCA card?

An ORCA card is a regional public transportation pass that allows transit riders in the Puget Sound to use busses, trains and ferries. Riders can load money onto their cards online, by phone, or in-person to take a trip with the following transit agencies:

King County Metro Transit
Sound Transit
Pierce Transit
Kitsap Transit
Everett Transit
Community Transit
Washington State Ferries


Safe Routes to School  


Crossing the street on the way to school. Photo Credit: SDOT Flickr. 
Crossing the street on the way to school. Photo Credit: SDOT Flickr. 

The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program aims to increase safe walking and biking to school. In the Fall of 2017, we began the two-year process of conducting a SRTS Racial Equity Analysis. To support Seattle’s effort to end institutionalized racism and build a more equitable city, we’re focused on students in these groups: communities of color, low-income communities, immigrant and refugee communities, people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, the LGBTQ community, and girls.

This process included community engagement and stakeholder feedback. Our goal was to better understand physical barriers, along with public safety realities and perceptions, that hinge on racial, cultural, ethnic, and language differences. This was intended to inform future infrastructure investments and walk- and bike-to-school programs.  

We hope you can join us on Tuesday, September 29 at 6 PM! 

Join the Microsoft Teams Meeting here.

Or, dial in using +1 206-686-8357 and Conference ID: 800 664 80#.

If you have additional questions about the Safe Routes to School Racial Equity Report and implementation strategy please visit our webpage or email belen.herrera@seattle.gov.

If you have additional questions about the ORCA Opportunity Program please visit our webpage or email ORCAOpportunity@seattle.gov.