Eligible Students

Seattle Community Colleges District offers ALL eligible students a subsidized bus pass called the "ORCA Card". The ORCA Card, essentially a regional public transit pass, allows you to ride regular Metro, Sound Transit, Pierce Transit, Kitsap Transit, Community Transit, and Everett Transit bus service anytime, anywhere all over King, Snohomish, Pierce, and Kitsap Counties. You can use the ORCA Card to get to school, to go shopping, to run errands, and to other recreational destinations. The ORCA Card is also valid on the Link Light Rail System, Metro Streetcars (the South Lake Union Trolley, as well as the future Broadway Streetcar), the Sounder Train to and from Everett and Tacoma, on selected Amtrak Cascades trains between Seattle and Everett, as well as the King County Water Taxis (West Seattle and Vashon routes) and the Kitsap Transit Foot Ferry (Port Orchard and Annapolis Routes).

As a student you may be eligible to purchase an ORCA Card from Seattle Central Community College at the subsidize price of $125.00 dollars, the e-purse value of the card is actually $200.00 dollars (essentially you are getting $200.00 dollars for the price of $125.00 dollars). An eligible student is defined as a student enrolling for 10 more credits each quarter. NOTE: All students enrolling in 10 or more credits each quarter will be charged a Transportation Management Plan (TMP) fee of $10 per quarter. The TMP fee is a mandatory student fee and is charged, regardless of you purchasing the ORCA Card or not.

Frequently asked questions regarding the Orca Card:

Question: Does the Orca Card distinguish the difference between youth and adult?
Answer: No, currently the Orca Card is not divided between youth or adult, it is simply a subsidized card.
Question: I am a youth between the ages of six (6) and eighteen (18) years old, am I better off buying the non subsidized Orca Card directly from Metro?
Answer: Possibly, you should take a moment to decide which card works best for your transportation needs, whichever card you decide to purchase will be at your sole discretion (please keep in mind that all sales are final without exception).
Question: Can I purchase a subsidized Orca Card for $125.00 dollars and take the e-purse of $200.00 dollars down to Metro and ask for the funds to be transferred into a youth Orca card?
Answer: No, this is not an option.
Question: Even though I have purchased the Orca Card from Seattle Central Community College, should I register the card in my name?
Answer:Yes! Please take the time to register your card online or in person to ensure that your investment is properly protected. If your card is registered under your name and becomes lost or stolen you have the ability to turn your card off thereby protecting your unused funds. If you do not register your card, all funds will be lost.
Question: Does the subsidized Orca Card expire?
Answer:Only if the card is inactive for a period of two years, otherwise it does not expire.
Question: Since my Orca Card does not expire, do I need to purchase a new card each quarter?
Answer: In order to get the subsidized rate of $125.00 dollars, you will need to purchase a new Orca Card each quarter.
Question: If I use all of the funds on my subsidized Orca Card before the quarter ends, will the college reload my card for me?
Answer: No, unfortunately the college is only able to subsidize your Orca Card one time per quarter. However, you may reload your Orca Card anytime you wish, with whatever dollar amount you decide.
Question: How do I reload my Orca Card?
Answer: You may reload your Orca Card online at www.orcacard.com or in person at anyone of Orcas convenient retail outlet locations.

For further details, questions, and/or concerns, please contact ORCA Regional Call Center at 1-888-988-6722, or go online at www.orcacard.com.

Non-Eligible Students

Students enrolling in less than 10 qualified credits are also not eligible for the ORCA Card at the discounted price.

Non-eligible students, however, have the option of purchasing the ORCA Card at the "unsubsidized" price of $200.00 per academic quarter, plus the $5 card fee. NOTE: Non-eligible students do not have to pay the Transportation Management Plan fee.

Summer Quarter ORCA Card

Due to the shorter quarter, the price of the ORCA Card is reduced during summer quarters.

The ORCA Card is $80 for eligible students (10 or more credits), plus the additional $10 TMP fee for an $150 balance Orca card.
The ORCA Card is $150 for students who are taking less than 10 credits or non-credited classes).

Where and How to Pick Up an ORCA Card

All students may purchase the ORCA Card directly at the Cashier Office (room BE1104K). Please make sure to complete the Student ORCA Card Application and prepare to show your picture ID when purchasing your pass. The ORCA Card is usually available for purchase approximately two weeks prior to the start of the quarter. Once the quarter has begun, the ORCA Card may only be available through the second week of the quarter. Supplies may be limited; we suggest students purchase their ORCA Card as early as possible.

The student ORCA valued at $200.00 is an adult ORCA card. Youth, Senior and Disabled ORCAs are to be purchased directly from Metro and require proof of age/eligibility at the time of purchase. Youth are those between the ages of 6 and 18 while Seniors are age 65 or older. Youth fare is $1.25 each trip while Senior & Disabled fare is $.75 each trip.

Other Metro Pass Options

For the latest updates in pricing as well as other Metro information, please contact Metro at 206-553-3000 or online at http://metro.kingcounty.gov/.

Websites For Additional Transportation Information

Emergency/Snow Communications

Web links from King County Metro for snow routes and emergency information:

Refunds of ORCA Card

ALL SALES ARE FINAL - NO EXCEPTIONS

Lost / Stolen / Misplaced ORCA Card

SCCC Transportation Services Office and management are not responsible for lost, stolen, or misplaced ORCA Card. PLEASE TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR PASS.