Pictured above: A couple at the Everett Swift Station taps their ORCA card before boarding.

Starting March 1, Community Transit bus riders who are eligible for reduced fares will pay $1 instead of $1.25. Community Transit will also begin accepting the Subsidized Annual Pass program, which allows qualified participants to ride for free.

The adjustment matches Community Transit fares to those of other transit agencies in the region. People who qualify for reduced fares include:

• People who have ORCA LIFT (income-based qualification)
• People who are 65 and older*
• People with disabilities*
• People who receive Medicare benefits*

* There are eligibility requirements for these categories

Eligible riders must have an ORCA card to pay reduced fares. ORCA is the easiest way to pay for transit and allows riders a two-hour transfer window. People who qualify for reduced fares should make sure they pay the new rate if they buy a monthly pass since passes are non-refundable. The monthly pass will drop from $45 to $36.

The reduced fare is not accepted on DART paratransit. People who ride DART will continue to pay $2.50. However, if a DART rider qualifies for and gets a Subsidized Annual Pass, they will be able to use it on DART.