The newest back-to-school must-have: Free Youth Transit Pass!

Binder, paper, pens and pencils, calculator, backpack, ORCA Card!

With school just around the corner, a useful item that also makes a great fashion statement is a Free Youth Transit Pass (FYTP)—also known as a Youth ORCA card!

The pass is good 24/7/365. This will be the fourth school year that youth 18 years of age and younger will be able to use it to board transit for free. The card is the stress-free way for getting to after school activities, picking up siblings, getting to work, or heading to a movie or concert on Metro and other transit agencies throughout the region.

“It’s gotten me to a lot of places. It is the only reason I can do so many activities.”-Shorewood High School student

“[Free youth transit] promotes young people to take public transit instead of driving and can be helpful to get to events where parking is a challenge.” -Auburn High School student

While you do not need an ORCA card to board, thousands of your fellow students have one and we encourage you to join them! Check with your school to see if they can assist you in getting your own Youth ORCA card or you can go to FreeYouthTransitPass.com and sign up for your free card.

Once you get your card, all you need to do is tap it! Tap it to board the bus (Community Transit, Everett Transit, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Snoqualmie Valley Transit and Metro), Sound Transit Link light rail and Sounder, the King County Water Taxi, Seattle Streetcar, Metro Flex, Washington State Ferries and Monorail (in fact you can’t ride the Monorail for free unless you have an ORCA card!) and away you go!

“I think free youth public transport is amazing, it offers a way for kids to get from one place to another without it having to be school-related.” -Shorecrest High School student

ORCA Youth cards also helps us know how young people are using transit, which helps Metro (and other transit agencies) decide where additional service may be needed in the future.

Remember, this card works as your Free Youth Transit Pass until you turn 19, so hold on to it! When you turn 19 years old, you can add money or a pass onto the card to continue using it as an adult, or you can explore reduced fare card options.

So as you make that trip to get your school supplies, don’t forget to add a Free Youth Transit Pass to the list of “must-haves” for the school year!