We are partnering with the Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) and Seattle Public Schools (SPS) to increase transportation access for households with preschool-aged children.
We are providing free ORCA cards to:
- Any household with a child receiving free preschool through the Seattle Preschool Program.
- Any household wth a child enrolled in the SPS Head Start program.
Head Start and Seattle Preschool Program Participants can use their ORCA card on:
- King County Metro buses – including Access and Metro
- Flex services
- King County Water Taxi
- Seattle Streetcar
- Seattle Center Monorail
- Sound Transit (light rail, trains, and buses)
- Community Transit
- Pierce Transit
- Kitsap Transit (buses and fast ferry)
- Everett Transit
This program is funded by the voter-approved Seattle Transit Measure.
Seattle Preschool Program Participants
Eligible households will automatically be mailed one (1) ORCA card that can be used on public transit in the greater Seattle area. Cards will be mailed 1-2 weeks before the start of the new school year. If you register for Preschool after the beginning of the school year, we will mail your ORCA card within two weeks of when you registered.
How to Get Your ORCA Card
If you are enrolled for the 2025-2026 School Year: Income-eligible households enrolled in the Seattle Preschool Program will automatically be mailed an ORCA card after you enroll in preschool for the 2025-2026 school year. Cards will be mailed to the household address on file with the Seattle Preschool Program and will arrive within two weeks of the mailing date. Each household will receive one card, even if more than one student in the household is enrolled in the Seattle Preschool Program.
IMPORTANT: If your child was enrolled in the 2024-2025 school year and is continuing in free preschool for the 2025-2026 school year, you will be mailed a new ORCA card that you can use for unlimited rides through August 31, 2026.
If you receive free preschool and have not received your ORCA card, please email DOT_TAP@seattle.gov or call or text us at (206) 256-6722
How to Replace a Lost Card
We're happy to mail you a replacement card for free to your home address! Email us at DOT_TAP@seattle.gov or call or text us at (206) 256-6722
with your name and mailing address so that we can make sure you are eligible.
Head Start Participants
Eligible households will be given one (1) ORCA card by Head Start staff that can be used on public transit in the greater Seattle area. Cards will be distributed in January 2026.
How you will receive your card:
- If your child rides the bus, your Family Services Coordinator and your child’s teacher will send an ORCA card home in an envelope in their backpack. You will also receive an informational brochure on how to use your ORCA card.
- If you pick-up your child from school, you can pick up your card directly via family mail in your child’s classroom. Your card will be in an envelope along with an informational brochure on how to use your ORCA card.
If you register for Head Start after January 2026, you will receive information about your ORCA card during your enrollment meeting. An ORCA card will be sent home within two weeks of enrollment. Each household will receive one card, even if more than one student in the household is enrolled.
You can use your card for unlimited rides through August 31, 2026. You may keep using your card after this date, but you will need to add your own money to the card beginning September 1, 2026. You can add money at ticket vending machines or on the ORCA website, www.MyORCA.com.
How to Replace a Lost Card
If you lose your card, don’t worry! To ask for a replacement card, you can either:
- Contact your Family Services Coordinator or
- E-mail Head Start staff at klmorrill@seattleschools.org with your child’s name and tell us that you lost your card.
A card will be sent home with your child or will be available for pick-up via family mail in your child’s designated classroom.
Program Background & History
The Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) Transit Pass began in 2023 when we provided free, unlimited ORCA cards to eligible households with a child enrolled in the Seattle Public Preschool program at a location associated with Seattle Public Schools. In 2024, we expanded the Transit Pass program to all income-eligible households with a child enrolled in the Seattle Preschool Program. In 2026, we expanded the program further by partnering with Seattle Public Schools Head Start to provide free, unlimited ORCA cards to all students enrolled in the Head Start program.