Just in time for stocking-stuffers and holiday gift giving: Starting Dec. 6, two new limited-edition custom RapidRide ORCA cards designed by emerging regional artists will be available from King County Metro, celebrating the forthcoming RapidRide G and I lines.
4Culture and King County Metro Transit commissioned the artwork by exceptional emerging artists as part of RapidRide network projects scheduled to open in 2023 and beyond.
Each artist’s work is distinct and features imagery tied to the contexts, histories, cultures and communities of a specific line. The cohort of artists, Jovita Mercado (RapidRide H Line), Yasiman Ahsani (RapidRide G Line), and Rey Daoed (RapidRide I Line), was supported by mentor artists Angelina Villalobos and Jesse Brown, who assisted them in their research and proposal development.
The RapidRide G Line will connect riders with frequent and reliable service connecting Madison Valley, First Hill and downtown Seattle. RapidRide I Line will serve riders in the Renton, Kent and Auburn areas.
These special ORCA cards will be available for purchase at the King Street Center Metro Pass Sales Office while supplies last. They can be issued by Metro as Adult, Youth or ORCA LIFT replacement cards to qualifying individuals. In March, Metro began distribution of the custom cards featuring Mercado’s RapidRide H Line design, which also remain available for purchase while supplies last. Metro’s Pass Sales Office, which features Rey Daoed’s original painting that inspired his card design, is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is closed weekends and holidays.
Can these be made available online?
They are only available at our Pass Sales Office, hope that helps!
If I have an orca card issued through work could I replace it with one of these?
Buying custom ORCA cards for personal use is definitely something we can help with at our Pass Sales Office. As for whether a custom ORCA card can be substituted for an employer card, that is something to check with your employer about, or whomever your employer works with to obtain and distribute new or replacement ORCA cards. It sounds like it might not be a typical path, but that doesn’t preclude anyone from asking!