We are partnering with the Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) to provide a free ORCA card to any household with a child receiving free preschool through the Seattle Preschool Program. This program is funded by the Seattle Transit Measure.
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.
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 your child is NOT enrolled in free preschool for the 2025-2026 school year, keep using your card for unlimited rides through August 31, 2025. You can keep using your card after this date, but you will need to add your own money to the card beginning September 1, 2025. You can add money at ticket vending machines or on the ORCA website, www.MyORCA.com.
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! Just email us at DOT_TAP@seattle.gov or you can call or text us at (206) 256-6722 with your name and mailing address so that we can make sure you are eligible.
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.