Seattle gives free transit passes to all public housing residents

Residents living in properties owned and managed by Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) will be provided with free, unlimited-use public transit cards.

The SHA Transit Pass programme, a partnership between the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and SHA, is expected to help more than 10,000 residents.

The initiative will run until December 2026, and will be available to residents aged 19 years or older who are listed on the lease of a SHA property. They will receive free, unlimited-use ORCA cards, which is the contactless smart card system used for public transit in Seattle.

Those aged 18 and under are already eligible for free transport in the city under the Free Youth Transit Pass scheme.

“By providing free ORCA cards, we are making it easy for public transit to be a great choice for residents of Seattle Housing Authority properties,” said Seattle Department of Transportation Director Greg Spotts.

“Previously we saw great results increasing mobility by providing free transit for youth: we believe this programme will increase transit ridership while reducing greenhouse gases.”

Pilot programme

The SHA Transit Pass scheme began in 2019 as a pilot programme and has served nearly 2,000 SHA residents over the past three years.

The expanded programme is funded by the Seattle Transit Measure, a voter-approved 0.15 percent sales tax that generates US$39 million annually to fund transit service, capital projects and access programmes.

“The Free Youth Transit Pass that provides access to all young people up to 18 years old, has made a big difference for young residents at SHA,” said Seattle Housing Authority Executive Director Rod Brandon.

“This new partnership between the Seattle Department of Transportation and the Seattle Housing Authority to offer adult SHA residents free access to public transportation throughout our region opens up the world to entire families as well as seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and others living in SHA communities.

“Most of those we serve have to make difficult choices on how to spend limited budgets. Now they can get to jobs, school, medical appointments, the grocery store and other important activities without worrying about the cost.”

Equity

The city has focused on incorporating equity into its transit initiatives, such as the ORCA Recovery Card programme which provides free, unlimited-use cards for more than 2,200 people working in food service and grocery industries in underserved areas.

A survey by SDOT found that 91 percent of ORCA Recovery Card holders used transit more frequently than they did before receiving the card.

Additionally, the survey found that ORCA Recovery Card holders used their card to get to work, shopping, medical appointments and to visit friends and family.

Image: SDOT