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TAP August Newsletter



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Seattle Preschool Program Transit Pass - Use Your Free ORCA Card to Take Your Preschooler to School! 

SPP Transit Pass Picture

TAP and the Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) have partnered since 2023 to provide free, unlimited-use ORCA cards [ https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/transportation-access-programs/seattle-public-preschools-partnership?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] to families enrolled in free preschool through the Seattle Preschool Program [ https://www.seattle.gov/education/for-parents/child-care-and-preschool/seattle-preschool-program?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] (SPP). This transit subsidy is funded by the Seattle Transit Measure [ https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/transit-program/seattle-transit-measure?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] and supports families with incomes at or below 94% of the State Median Income (approximately 350% Federal Poverty Level) in bringing their child to preschool, other essential services, and community and social events.  

 

Eligible households will receive an ORCA card in the mail at the beginning of September. You can start using your card once you receive it. Your ORCA card can be used 24 hours a day, seven days a week through August 31, 2026. 

*I**f you receive free Seattle Preschool, keep a lookout* for the envelope pictured below during the first week of September! It will include your new, unlimited use ORCA card. 

 

Families who were enrolled in the free preschool through SPP during the 2024-2025 school year and have a student enrolled in SPP in the upcoming 2025-2026 school year will be sent a new ORCA card to use. 

For info on the Seattle Preschool Program Transit Pass, visit our webpage! [ https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/transportation-access-programs/seattle-public-preschools-partnership?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] 

SPP Transit Pass Envelope



TAP Updates

Youth Transportation Ambassador Program Starts!  

Our Youth Transportation Ambassador (YTA) Program launched on August 5, 2025 after a two-year break! This is an in-person, *paid learning opportunity* for youth ages 15-18 who live or study in Seattle*. *The YTA program will run from August 5 to August 28 and meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 10am-3pm. At the end of the program, all participants will receive a $600 stipend. 

Youth Transportation Ambassadors will: 


* *Go on weekly field trips:* Visit SDOT facilities, meet industry experts, and learn from transit professionals  

* *Gain valuable skills: *Discover how transportation projects are planned and executed, from ideas to reality  

* *Job shadow experts: *Explore careers in Transportation planning, engineering, communications, and more  

For more information on the Youth Ambassadors Program, visit our webpage [ https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/transportation-access-programs/youth-ambassadors?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]!.   

 

2025 Youth Transportation Ambassadors
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Partner Updates

Fares Are Changing September 1!

Regional transit agencies are making fare updates starting *September 1 and October 1*, affecting several services across King County and Kitsap County.  

*Effective September 1:*  


* *King County Metro bus (Adult):* Increasing from *$2.75 to $3.00*   

* *Seattle Streetcar (Adult):* Increasing from *$2.25 to $3.00*   

* *Water Taxi – West Seattle (Adult):* Increasing from *$5.00 to $5.25*   

* *Water Taxi – Vashon (Adult):* Increasing from *$5.75 to $6.00*   

* *Water Taxi – ORCA LIFT:* Reduced to *$1.00* (from $3.75 on West Seattle and $4.50 on Vashon)   

* *Metro Monthly Vanpool/Transit Pass:* Increasing from $99 to $108 to align with the adult fare increase   

*Effective October 1, 2025:*  


* *Kitsap Transit Fast Ferry – Westbound (Adult):* Increasing from *$12.00 to $13.00*   

* *Kitsap Transit Fast Ferry – Westbound (Reduced Fare: LIFT, Senior, Disabled):* Increasing from *$6.00 to $6.50*   

* *Elimination of E-purse transfer credits* on Kitsap Fast Ferry: Riders must pay full fare for each ride, regardless of transfers made within 2 hours on other ORCA services   

* *Elimination of PugetPass acceptance* on Kitsap Fast Ferry: Riders must either load *Kitsap-specific monthly passes* (like the KT Fast Ferry Full Fare Pass) or use *E-purse* to pay the full fare   

To help riders prepare, a new *$6.00 PugetPass* option for Water Taxi will be available starting in *August 2025*. Agencies are also updating print and online materials, and more details will be shared when available.  

Visit Metro’s blog post [ https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fkingcountymetro.blog%2F2025%2F07%2F28%2Fking-county-metro-water-taxi-and-seattle-streetcar-adult-fares-change-sept-1-2025%2F/1/0100019857fd1b9a-21c18e41-5641-40de-8c32-8199b2f9dac8-000000/m4Pjf-ELOwo_8EkJ62OZa90JnUFDrlR5OekEebbuGAM=416 ] to learn more about the fare changes taking effect September 1 and October 1. 

 

Aurora Bus Lane Opening

In July 2025, The City of Seattle celebrated the expanded “Bus Only” Lanes on Aurora Ave N. with speeches by local stakeholders as well as Mayor Harrell, SDOT Director Adiam Emery. 

The celebration recognized the installation of new northbound bus lanes on Aurora Ave N, south of the bridge, between Prospect and Lynn streets. These lanes have been in the planning stages with WSDOT and were installed in June 2025. The new northbound bus lane was created to match the existing southbound bus lane to improve bus commutes for riders going both directions. The new bus lanes on Aurora will be active and off-limits to cars 24/7, ensuring more efficient transit rides regardless of time of day. The timing of the expanded bus lanes coincides with the need for improved travel routes with the Revive I-5 repaving closing lanes of I-5. Currently, the E-Line that uses Aurora Ave N, carries roughly 14, 000 passengers each day and operates every 5 to 7 minutes during most times of the day. These bus lane improvements will help provide a more reliable travel option for people travelling north-south in Seattle. 

Aurora Bus Lane Opening




*Seattle Department of Transportation*

700 5th Avenue

Suite 3800

Seattle, WA 98104

*Phone: 206-684-7623*

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