City Offers 10,000 Free Transit Passes to Housing Authority Residents, Seattle, WA, 2023

The Seattle Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA), is providing free One Regional Card for All (ORCA) cards to 10,000 residents of SHA-owned and managed property. The unlimited-ride cards expire on December 31, 2026, and are fully funded through the Seattle Transit Measure, a voter-approved sales tax that created a revenue source for more accessible bus service. This three-year program is available to any person 19 and older listed on the lease of any of SHAs’ 99 properties, while residents 18 and younger are already able to ride transit for free throughout the region. 

This program began as a pilot on a smaller scale in 2019, which provided zero-fare transit to over 2,000 participants since its launch. Eliminating fares for low-income riders diminishes a major barrier to accessible transportation, and can lead to better employment opportunities, better access to social services, and other positive impacts. Seattle’s goal is to “create a more resilient, sustainable city, with accessible transit for all.” 

Last updated January 31, 2023