Getting around Everett with Community Transit
Community Transit is here to get you where you want to go. We are proud to be a part of the Everett community — we live here, ride here, and drive here. Wherever you need to go in Everett, feel good about how you get there.
About Everett
Transit options in Everett
Sound Transit, Everett Transit, and Community Transit offer public transit options in Everett. Community Transit provides its bus rapid transit system, Swift, with two lines that travel through the city: the Blue Line from Downtown Everett to Shoreline via State Route 99; and the Green Line, which connects the Boeing plant to Mill Creek and northern Bothell.
Everett Station is a multimodal train and bus station that is served by its three major public transit providers including the Sounder Commuter Train. Everett Station is also served by intercity buses from Greyhound Lines, BoltBus, and Northwestern Trailways, which connect Everett to cities in the Pacific Northwest.
Sound Transit plans to extend its Link light rail service to Downtown Everett in 2036, as part of the Sound Transit 3 plan passed by voters in 2016.
Everett has more than 40 parks, with Forest Park serving as the largest. Many of these parks offer hiking, biking, and walking trails. The city also provides a seasonal ferry giving access to Jetty Island from its waterfront. Everett was connected with Seattle by an interurban railway from 1910 to 1939, with the right-of-way now serving as the Interurban Trail for bikers and pedestrians.
Regional destinations in Everett
Everett is the largest city in Snohomish County, Washington and the seventh-largest in the state by population. Everett's airport, Paine Field, serves as a major regional destination for travelers.
Everett Community College and Washington State University Everett, City University, Everest College, Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, and Columbia College at Naval Station Everett are just some of the higher education options and campuses in the area.
Major employers in the area include Boeing, Providence Medical Center, Naval Station Everett, The Everett Clinic, Everett School District, Amazon, FedEx, the Everett Mall, Fluke Corporation (Fortive), and more.
Popular Destinations
ORCA card 101
Pictured above: A man scanning an ORCA card on an ORCA card reader.
If you’ve used public transit in the Puget Sound area, you’ve probably heard of an ORCA card. An ORCA card is the easiest way to pay your transit fares with many local transit agencies, including Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro, Sound Transit, Pierce Transit, and Kitsap Transit. ORCA cards can also be used on walk-on trips on Washington State Ferries, as well as on the Seattle Center Monorail and the Seattle Streetcar.
Using an ORCA card can save you money on transit, with built-in two-hour transfer credit and daily and monthly passes. With light rail coming to Snohomish County in 2024, now is a great time to get an ORCA card so you can easily transfer between transit services with the tap of a card.
How does an ORCA card work?
To pay your fare with an ORCA card, tap your card on the ORCA card reader as you get on the bus, ferry, or train – and that’s it! The ORCA card replaces cash and coins, so you don’t have to carry change with you. ORCA cards are the size of a debit card, so they easily fit in your wallet or pocket.
On Community Transit buses, just scan your card at the ORCA card reader at the front of each bus as you get on. For Community Transit’s Swift buses, scan your card at the reader located at the end of each Swift station before you come onboard.
How do I get an ORCA card and add value to it?
You can order an ORCA card online or purchase one in person at select locations. When you order an Adult, Senior (65+), or Youth (6-18) ORCA card online, you will receive it by mail in 5-10 business days. For senior or youth cards, proof of age is required.
If you need help paying for public transportation, there are ORCA card options for income qualified riders and persons with disabilities. Visit the myorca.com website and answer a few short questions to find out if you qualify for one of these options.
To add value to your ORCA card, you have two options:
1. You can add a dollar amount to your ORCA card with E-purse and pay as you go, like using a debit card.
2. You can add daily or monthly passes to your card. For riders who take more than 18 roundtrips a month, we recommend the monthly pass. Pick a pass value based on the fare of your most frequent trip. For instance, buy a $2.50 pass if you’re an adult who takes local Community Transit buses. Your monthly pass is good for unlimited rides on transit systems throughout the region, at that value.
Visit the myorca.com website to explore which option will work better for you and watch tutorials on how to add value to your card using one of these methods.
There is also a myORCA app, which works together with your ORCA card so you can manage your ORCA account and add funds to your card from anywhere, 24/7. You can find it in the Apple IOS Store and Google Play Store.
Where can I learn more?
Using an ORCA card is a great way to pay for your transit fare, because it can save you time and money during your travels, especially if you are transferring between local transit agencies. You can learn more about all things ORCA on the myorca.com website.
