Mayor Jenny Durkan announced legislation May 16 to provide free ORCA passes to Seattle students.
If approved, the proposal would allow the City Council to invest in the ORCA Opportunity Program to provide free transit passes to high school students in Seattle that would allow unlimited public transit year-round, as well as move to improve bus service.
It would be paid for using existing funding sources through the Seattle Transportation Benefit District, approved by voters in 2014 and generates approximately $50 million through a $60 fee on car tabs and 0.1 percent sales tax increase. The idea was originally brought up on the campaign trail during the 2017 mayoral election by then-candidate Nikkita Oliver.
Ashley Archibald is a Staff Reporter covering local government, policy and equity. Have a story idea? She can be can reached at ashleya (at) realchangenews (dot) org. Follow Ashley on Twitter @AshleyA_RC
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