How to get reduced transit fares in Snohomish County
You might know that using an ORCA card is the easiest way to pay your transit fares with many local transit agencies, but did you know that certain people may qualify for reduced fares, making transit a more affordable option?
Different types of reduced fare ORCA Cards
There are a few reduced fare options for riders who qualify.
An ORCA LIFT card is for people with lower income and allows riders to pay reduced fares with local transit agencies. Community Transit’s reduced fare rate is $1.
- To qualify for an ORCA LIFT card, your gross household income must be no more than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. If you receive DSHS benefits, Apple Health (Medicaid), WIC, or Basic Food, you’re automatically eligible. You can use this chart on the ORCA LIFT website to see if you qualify.
A subsidized annual pass allows riders to ride with Community Transit and other local transit agencies at no cost to the rider.
The subsidized annual pass is for people who live in King, Pierce, or Snohomish County. You already qualify for the subsidized annual pass if you are enrolled in one of the cash benefit programs listed below. Learn more and see if you qualify here.
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- State Family Assistance (SFA)
- Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)
- Aged, Blind, or Disabled Cash Assistance (ABD)
- Pregnant Women Assistance (PWA)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Housing and Essential Needs (HEN)
The Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) ORCA card is for riders ages 65+, riders with disabilities, and Medicare card holders and allows riders to pay reduced fares on local transit. Community Transit’s reduced fare rate is $1.
- Riders qualify for the RRFP if they are ages 65+ or have a disability that qualifies them for this card. Learn more about what qualifies here.
Youth ORCA cards are for riders ages 13-18. Youth are encouraged to use a Youth ORCA card, but all youth can ride transit for free on local transit.
You can learn more about which ORCA card is right for you on myorca.com.
Where can I get a reduced fare ORCA card?
Online: You can use the Reduced Fare Portal to apply for an ORCA LIFT, RRFP Card, or subsidized annual pass online. Go to the portal and select which card you want to apply for, and then follow the prompts. After completing the application and submitting the required documentation (like your ID), your application will be reviewed. If you qualify, your ORCA card will be mailed to you
By phone: You can call the Community Health Access Program (CHAP) at 1-800-756-5437 to apply for an ORCA LIFT card or Subsidized Annual Pass over the phone. If eligible, your card will be mailed to you or available for pickup. CHAP is available Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Apply for an ORCA LIFT card or Subsidized Annual Pass in person: You can apply for an ORCA LIFT card or Subsidized Annual Pass at one of the places listed below. Please bring documents that prove who you are, such as an ID. View a full list of accepted documents on the ORCA website. We suggest calling before you visit to make sure the location is open and ready to help you.
Snohomish County DSHS Community Services Offices (CSO):
This option is for existing DSHS clients only.
Offices open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
If you qualify, cards will be sent to you via mail.
Everett CSO
Phone: (877) 501-2233
840 N Broadway Suite 200
Everett 98201
Lynnwood CSO
Phone: (877) 501-2233
20311 52nd Ave W Suite 100
Lynnwood 98036
Monroe CSO
Phone: (877) 501-2233
19705 State Route 2 Suite 100
Monroe 98272-2341
Smokey Point CSO
Phone: (877) 501-2233
3704 172nd St NE Suite P, Arlington 98223
Additional locations to sign up for ORCA LIFT
Arlington
Arlington Community Resource Center
Phone: (360) 322-6988
Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
103 E 3rd St. Ste. 201, Arlington 98223
Smokey Point Sno-Isle Library
Phone: (360) 651-0774
Thursdays, 1:30-4:00 p.m.
3411 169th PL NE #ABC Arlington 98223
Edmonds
Edmonds College
Phone: 425-640-1459
Tuesday, 1-4 p.m.
Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday, 12-4 p.m.
20000 68th Ave. W, Lynnwood 98036
(Inside Olympic Building)
Everett
Carnegie Resource Center
Phone: (425) 434-4680
Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
3001 Oakes Ave., Everett 98201
Everett Community Resource Center
Phone: (425) 355-6005
Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
2500 Hewitt Ave. Suite 300 Everett, 98201
Volunteers of America
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
2802 Broadway Everett 98201
Lake Stevens
Lake Stevens Community Resource Center
Phone: (425) 405-2252
Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
8021 20th St. SE Lake Stevens 98258
Lynnwood
Community Transit Ride Store
Phone: (425) 348-2350
ORCA LIFT: Mondays and Thursdays, 2–5 p.m.
Subsidized Annual Pass: Thursdays from 2–5 p.m.
20110 46th Ave W. Lynnwood, WA 98036
Marysville
Marysville Food Bank
Phone: (360) 658-1054
Every 2nd Friday of the month, 9-11 a.m.
4150 88th St. NE Marysville 98270
Monroe
St. Vincent De Paul
Phone: (360) 863-8063
Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Friday, 12-4p.m.
17150 W Main St. Monroe 98272
Sultan
Sky Valley Community Resource Center
Phone: (360) 863-3371
Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
701 1ST St. Sultan 98294
Tulalip
Tulalip Recovery Resource Center
Phone: (360) 722-2255
Every 1st Friday of the month, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
7627 41st Ave NW Tulalip, 98271
Want to take a bus to one of these locations? Use Community Transit’s Plan My Trip tool and enter the name or address of where you would like to go. Then, choose the trip that works for you.
