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Subsidized Student ORCA Cards: A Good Deal Just Got Better

Bus stop

Posted on : by Public Information Office

Great news for South students who commute to and from campus via King County Metro: Beginning in Fall 2017, Seattle Colleges will offer subsidized student ORCA cards, the all-access regional transit pass, for the price of $125. Each $125 pass sold will be pre-loaded with $250 worth of rides—a $125 value! 

This is a $50 increase in value over the current subsidized ORCA Card. 

How to apply for a pre-loaded ORCA card: 
The SSC-issued ORCA Card is a transit pass that is accepted by all six Puget Sound regional transit authorities. Students can purchase an ORCA card from the cashier’s office in Student Services (RSB). The pass can be used for travel during peak and off-peak times without zone-restrictions.

Cashier’s Office Hours: 

  • Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Friday: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Tips for taking full advantage of the pre-loaded ORCA card:

  • At the beginning of each month, students can take their SSC-issued ORCA card to an ORCA kiosk and use a portion of the funds to purchase an unlimited monthly Puget Pass—currently set at $99 per month for one zone, non- peak hour rides. Additionally, ORCA To-Go representatives regularly visit South at the start of each academic term; cards can be conveniently converted at this time as well.
  • If qualified, students can apply for the ORCA LIFT card, a special card subsidized by King County Health for low-income riders. Once students have received their LIFT card, they can transfer the funds from an SSC-issued ORCA pass to the LIFT pass. Each time a student uses the card, only $1.50 is deducted from the available funds.

ORCA LIFT On-Campus:  
South’s WorkSource office (RSB 79) will host ORCA LIFT representatives throughout Fall Quarter 2017. Representatives can help students purchase, add value to and find if they are qualified for an ORCA LIFT reduced transit fare card. Please note, appointments are first come, first serve. 

ORCA LIFT reps will be on-campus 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates: 

  • September 26, 2017 
  • October 10, 2017 
  • October 24, 2017 
  • November 7, 2017 
  • November 21, 2017 

To learn more about transportation options at South, visit the transportation subsidies webpage. 

For more information about ORCA cards, go to www.orcacard.com.