Bus Passes & Other Resources

ORCA Card Bus Passes

The ORCA card is the easiest way to pay your transit fares in the Puget Sound region. After loading your ORCA card with E-purse (electronic purse) funds, and/or a monthly pass, you’re ready to ride! The ORCA card will automatically track paid fares and transfers, so you don't have to. You can ride the bus, light rail, train, streetcar, paratransit or on-demand service (i.e. ADA Shuttle, Pierce Transit Runner, King County Metro Via to Transit) or ferry with your ORCA card.

Ask your employer if they provide an ORCA card or check out the ORCA website to learn how to get your own online or in-person.

FREE YOUTH TRANSIT PASSES

In spring 2022, the Washington State Legislature passed the Move Ahead Washington transportation package, which included additional funding for transit agencies that provide free rides to youth ages 18 and under. Now, all youth can ride Pierce Transit for free, and young people ages 13 and older are encouraged to show either a Youth ORCA card or current high school or middle school student ID to ride. 

King County Metro, Sound Transit, Kitsap Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit and Washington State Ferries are also fare-free for youths.

For updates and information, visit PierceTransit.org/FreeYouthPass.

Reduced Transit Fare

On Pierce Transit Routes: Discounts for seniors, individuals with a disability and Medicare Card holders: if you are 65 or older, have a qualifying doctor-verified disability, or have a Medicare card you may ride for a discounted fare. You must show a valid Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) when paying a discounted fare. You can learn more here.

On Sound Transit, King County Metro routes and other transit agency routes:

ORCA LIFT is a transit card that allows riders to pay a reduced bus fare because their household income is less than or equal to 200% the federal poverty level, established by the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services. You can learn more about ORCA LIFT here. You can apply for ORCA LIFT at any DSHS Community Services Office across Washington State. Find an office near you here.

Emergency Ride Home

If your employer partners with Pierce Transit and you use a sustainable commute option to get to work, you may be eligible for a free taxi ride home in case of an emergency. Visit the Emergency Ride Home page for more information or contact your Employee Transportation Coordinator.  

Are you an employer looking to provide ORCA cards to employees?

Consider an ORCA Business Account. To learn more about setting up your account and promoting it to employees you can also visit the Employer Services page.

Are you a state employee?

State employees who work in Pierce, King and Snohomish counties can commute by bus, train and vanpool for free! Learn more here and by contacting your Employee Transportation Coordinator.

You have a few great options:

• Commute for free on Intercity Transit. 
  • Intercity Transit Route 612 serves Lakewood and Tacoma. You can transfer to Pierce Transit to finish your trip or join a vanpool.
• ORCA Card: Ride all local transit systems for free.
  • Includes Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, Kitsap Foot Ferries and Fast Ferries, and Seattle Streetcar
  • Request your ORCA card here.
• Vanpool Subsidy: Ride in any vanpool for free!
  • This includes Intercity Transit, Pierce Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit, and more!
  • Find a Pierce Transit vanpool at PierceTransit.org/Rideshare. 
• Guaranteed Ride Home
  • In case of an emergency, you can arrange a free ride home. Only eligible for employees who took a sustainable commute to a worksite that day.

See the State Employee ORCA FAQ here.