Low-income riders can get reduced bus, light rail fares

A new reduced Metro bus fare for low-income riders will be available for King County residents in March.

“Rents are increasing and wages are shrinking for too many people in South King County,” King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove said as helped to kick off the program at Global to Local in SeaTac on Feb. 11. “This reduced fare will make commuting to work and school a little bit easier for a lot of our neighbors.”

Starting on March 1, the ORCA LIFT pass allows low-income residents to take advantage of reduced fares for Metro bus trips and Sound Transit Link light rail rides. People who qualify for the fare must live in King County and make less than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, see chart below:

Household size/annual income

• 1 – $23,340

• 2 – $31,460

• 3 – $39,580

• 4 – $47,700

• 5 – $55,820

People interested in the low-income fare and signing up for the ORCA LIFT pass should visit Metro’s website at http://metro.kingcounty.gov/fares/orca/lift.html or call 206-553-3000 with any questions.

Residents may also sign up for the new pass at any of the below South County locations and must verify income eligibility.

Beginning March 1, the reduced fare for King County Metro buses is $1.50 per trip any time of day, for one- or two-zone travel; Sound Transit Link light rail is $1.50; Seattle Streetcar is $1.50.

Locations in Kent will offer income verification services soon as well. Please contact providers for information about hours of operation as services vary at each Kent location.

• DSHS Office (1313 W. Meeker St., Suite 100, 253-372-5930)

• Children’s Home Society (212 5th Ave., 253-850-2582)

• Multiservice Center (515 West Harrison Street, 253-854-4406)

• ReWA (232 2nd Ave. S., Suite 107, 253-859-6197)