News / Published on Dec 14, 2020

Get an ORCA card FREE through February 2021


At Community Transit, we recommend using an ORCA card as the easiest way to pay your bus fare. That’s never been more important, as an ORCA card provides a fast and contact-free payment option when health and safety matters most. For riders who pay with cash, it is now easier than ever to make the switch to ORCA.

To encourage contact-free payment and quicker boarding, we are waiving the $5 fee for new ORCA cards through Feb. 28, 2021.

With ORCA, you can just tap and go — no need to handle cash and change when paying to ride the bus. ORCA also makes it simpler if you transfer to another bus — just tap your ORCA card each time you get on a bus and you will only be charged once. Paying with ORCA automatically gives you a two-hour transfer that credits the fare you've already paid when you transfer to another bus.

ORCA is your pass for riding Community Transit — and for all major public transportation agencies serving King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, including Everett Transit. You can add value or a monthly pass to your ORCA card and even set it to automatically reload when your balance is low.

Reduced fares

Community Transit offers different types of ORCA cards and several fares, some at reduced rates. To find out which ORCA card is right for you, go to www.communitytransit.org/orca.

Community Transit offers a reduced fare for income-eligible residents through the ORCA LIFT program. An ORCA LIFT card allows riders to pay a reduced bus fare because their household income is less than or equal to 200% of the federal poverty level, established by the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services.

Community Transit also offers an ORCA Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) card available to:

  • People age 65 and older.
  • People with disabilities.
  • Medicare card holders.

First-time ORCA LIFT and Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) cards are not subject to the $5 purchase fee.

You can get your free ORCA card by

  • Calling ORCA Customer Service: 888-988-6722 (ORCA cards typically take 5–7 business days to arrive by mail) — adult cards only.
  • Visiting the Community Transit RideStore at 20110 46th Ave W. in Lynnwood, or another ORCA Customer Service Office — adult and youth cards (NOTE: You may experience extended wait times in person while measures are in place to limit the spread of COVID-19).
  • Visiting a retail location that sells ORCA cards — adult cards only.
  • Using ORCA ticket vending machines by Sounder Train platforms in Edmonds, Everett and Mukilteo — adult cards only.
  • Please note that this offer is NOT available for cards purchased on ORCAcard.com. Due to technical limitations, cards on the website will continue to cost $5. 

Here is the fine print

  • Limit three free adult cards per person.
  • Limit one free youth card per person for ages 6–18 (Note: Proof of age is required, so youth cards are only available in person at customer service offices or through the mail).
  • Offer does not apply to business accounts, replacement cards, or previously purchased ORCA cards.
  • Community Transit offers different types of ORCA cards, some at reduced rates. To find out which ORCA card is right for you, go to https://www.communitytransit.org/orca.