Seattle Ready to Give Free Transit Passes to All High School Students

About 16,000 Seattle students would get free transit passes when school starts again in the fall under a plan approved by the Seattle City Council yesterday.

1 minute read

June 26, 2018, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


King County Metro Transit

TS Photographer / Shutterstock

The Seattle City Council approved a plan to fund free transit passes for students attending Seattle high schools and colleges, according to an article by David Gutman.

"The City Council voted unanimously to spend up to $7 million a year on the ORCA Opportunity program, shifting money that voters had approved in 2014 to expand bus service," reports Gutman.

If approved by the Seattle School Board, Seattle will be the largest city in the United States to "give free, year-round transit service to all high-school students," according to the mayor's office.

Previously, the city's ORCA Opportunity program offered free transit passes to about "7,000 high-school students get school-year-only ORCA cards if they live more than two miles from school, and an additional 2,600 students in certain low-income households also get free passes."

Monday, June 25, 2018 in Seattle Times

Aerial view of Eugene, Oregon at dusk with mountains in background.

Eugene Ends Parking Minimums

In a move that complies with a state law aimed at reducing transportation emissions, Eugene amended its parking rules to eliminate minimum requirements and set maximum parking lot sizes.

December 3, 2023 - NBC 16

Green Paris Texas city limit sign with population.

How Paris, Texas Became a ‘Unicorn’ for Rural Transit

A robust coalition of advocates in the town of 25,000 brought together the funding and resources to launch a popular bus service that some residents see as a mobility lifeline—and a social club.

November 30, 2023 - Texas Monthly

SMall backyard cottage ADU in San Diego, California.

San Diegans at Odds Over ‘Granny Towers’

A provision in the city’s ADU ordinance allows developers to build an essentially unlimited number of units on single-family lots.

November 29, 2023 - CALmatters

Aerial view of downtown Salt Lake City, Utah with snow-capped mountains in background.

How Salt Lake City Maintained a Vibrant Downtown

Unlike other major cities, the Utah capital’s downtown has seen a steady stream of visitors even as demand for office space diminishes.

December 8 - Governing

White modular home being installed on a lot.

Modular Homes Make Housing More Affordable in Chicago

Cheaper and faster to construct, modular homes provide an affordable alternative to traditional new construction for low- and moderate-income residents on Chicago’s South Side.

December 8 - WTTW

Woman bus driver sitting behind wheel of bus wearing long-sleeved shirt and yellow safety vest.

How Inequality Impacts Transit Safety

Transit workers are being assaulted by riders at alarming rates, and inequity may be partly to blame.

December 8 - Streetsblog USA

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

"Rethinking Commuter Rail" podcast & Intercity Bus E-News

Chaddick Institute at DePaul University

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.