Washington
Related: About this forumORCA cards now free for seniors, disabled and low-income commuters
Any Puget Sound area seniors (ages 65 and older) or disabled residents who qualify for an ORCA Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) can now get their first card at no charge. The RRFP program, and ORCA LIFT card for income-eligible riders, provide a savings of 45 percent or more on transit fares.
Getting a reduced-fare ORCA pass is now easier and more affordable for people who need it most, said John Resha, King County Metro Assistant General Manager and Chair of the ORCA Joint Board. We hear every day from customers whose lives have been changed by better access to transit, and we hope this encourages more people who qualify to participate in our reduced-fare programs.
RRFPs provide riders with reduced fares on services operated by ORCA agencies, including Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit and Washington State Ferries. For more information on getting an RRFP card, visit the agencies websites or www.orcacard.com.
An ORCA LIFT card, which is also available at no charge to income-eligible customers, provides reduced fares on all Sound Transit services, King County Metro buses, Kitsap Transit buses and ferries, King County water taxis and Seattle streetcars. Information is available on the agencies websites.
https://www.soundtransit.org/About-Sound-Transit/News-and-events/News-releases/orca-cards-now-free-seniors-disabled-and-low?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Wounded Bear
(58,440 posts)HeiressofBickworth
(2,682 posts)I hope more Seniors get the card. Example: Regular fare from the MLT transit center to downtown Seattle is $3.75. With the Senior card, it's $1.75. Transfers within about a 2 hour period are free. I have a car and I drive but I would rather take the bus when I can.
The way the card works is you load the card with money then each time you take the bus, you swipe the card across a gizzmo and it deducts the cost of the trip from the card. When that's gone, it's time to load the card again. I usually put in $40 and it lasts for a few months.
During the Seattle International Film Festival I used the card daily (34 movies in 23 days). Took the bus to downtown Seattle, took the local buses between theaters and then took the bus back home. Sure beats driving in heavy traffic, finding places to park and then paying a sky-high price for the parking. Having the card means that I can afford to go to the city more often and it expands my horizons.
Giving the first card free will allow Seniors to learn the advantages of taking the bus, if they aren't already bus-savvy.
SeattleVet
(5,468 posts)But the ORCA/RRFP does give you a discount over the regular fare.