Free Transportation for Under 18 in Some Parts of Washington State

 Via KUOW:

In King County, passengers can show a youth ORCA card, a student ID, or simply board Metro buses and Link light rail. The county will move toward a more universal youth transit pass in 2023. 

Under the Move Ahead Washington package, King County Metro will receive an estimated $31.7 million in grant funding to implement its free youth fare policy by Oct. 1, according to the county.

Seattle Public Schools has distributed free transit passes for middle and high school students in recent years, but only during the school year.

High school student Chloe Dhamdhere said in the past youth would run into trouble if they lost or forgot their ORCA passes, and students were often surprised to realize their passes were suspended during summer months. She said this new policy sounds more comprehensive. 

“I’m glad because some of the drivers will get annoyed because they notice ORCA cards aren’t scanning, or kids will be like, ‘I forgot mine,’” Dhamdhere said. “I’ve gotten yelled at once, so I’m really glad this is taking effect.”

 I think this is wonderful news. I note that students had really wanted ORCA cards to be good for the entire year and not just the school year. 

As far as SPS, I'd have to go back and look but I thought the district was paying some portion of the cost of ORCA cards.  Will this mean some kind of cost savings for the district?

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