April 12, 2023
ORCA LIFT Offers Unlimited Transit Starting at $36/Month
New pricing means unlimited travel on transit for less across the Puget Sound.
What is ORCA LIFT?
ORCA LIFT is a discount program that saves customers with lower incomes up to 70% on transit. You can use ORCA LIFT on buses, trains, and ferries across Puget Sound, including Everett Transit, Community Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit and Sound Transit.
Signing up for ORCA LIFT is free. Single-trip prices start at $1 and unlimited monthly passes start at $36.
Who is eligible for ORCA LIFT?
To qualify, your gross household income (before taxes) needs to be less than two times (200%) of the Federal Poverty Level, as established by the US Health and Human Services Department:
200% of the Federal Poverty Level
Family Size Monthly Income
1 $2,430
2 $3,287
3 $4,143
4 $5,000
5 $5,857
How do I get unlimited rides with LIFT?
To get unlimited rides starting at $36/month you can add a Puget Pass to your ORCA LIFT card. Below are some of the most popular passes our customers use. Already have an ORCA LIFT card? Watch our video on how to add money and passes to your card here.
Monthly ORCA LIFT Price
– Everett Transit Buses
– King County Metro Buses
– Kitsap Transit Buses and Foot Ferries
– Kitsap Fast Ferries (Eastbound only, Westbound is $5.00)
– Seattle Streetcar
– Sound Transit Sounder Trains
– Sound Transit Link Light Rail
– Tacoma Link Light Rail
– Sound Transit Buses
– Pierce Transit Buses
Puget Pass
– All trips listed for $1.00 Puget Pass, plus:
– Community Transit Local and SWIFT Buses
Puget Pass
– All trips listed for $1.25 Puget Pass, plus:
– Seattle Center Monorail
Puget Pass
– All trips listed for $1.50 Puget Pass, plus:
– Community Transit Commuter Buses
More options are available for customers who frequently use Washington State Ferries. Visit our ORCA LIFT Fare information page and click “Adding fares to your ORCA card” to see all pass options and pricing.
What if I want to pay for one trip at a time?
If you want to pay for one trip at a time, you can add a dollar amount to your card, between $5 and $400, and use it to pay for each trip you take. One-way trip pricing corresponds with the Puget Pass price above. For example, most trips with ORCA LIFT are $1. Community Transit, Seattle Monorail and some Washington State Ferry rides cost more. See our complete price list for one-way trip fares here.
What are the other benefits of ORCA LIFT?
With ORCA LIFT, you also get a free transfer between trips of the same price for two hours or transfer credit for the value of your first trip toward higher-cost trips.
You can choose the lowest price pass to cover trips you take the most frequently and add E-purse value to cover occasional trips on higher-cost routes.
Register your card at myORCA.com or on the myORCA mobile app for Android and App devices to add value, manage your account, and protect your balance in the event of a lost or stolen card. Having an account also makes it easier to replace a damaged card, and you can do all of this on the go.
How do I apply for ORCA LIFT?
Customers can apply for ORCA LIFT online, on the phone, or in person. Before you start, be sure to have the information you need to apply. Visit our ORCA LIFT informational page and scroll down “How and where to apply?” for more details about what you need to apply.
Apply using the ORCA Reduced Fare Page and, if qualified, receive your card in 7-10 days (about 1 and a half weeks).
Call Community Health Access Program (CHAP) at 1-800-756-5437 and receive your card in 7-10 days (about 1 and a half weeks).
Or, to get your card the same day, visit one of our authorized enrollment offices.
