West Seattle High School

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West Seattle High School/Student Life/ORCA Card Information

ORCA Card Information

ORCA Cards

The district is no longer managing ORCA cards for students. Student ORCA cards issued to Seattle Public Schools students in the 2021-22 school year will continue working through 2022-23, even if there is an expiration date printed on the back.

Please register your ORCA card by June 30, 2023.

Due to a state wide measure, youth who are under 19 years old, are able to ride public transportation for free. This means that the district no longer provides cards to SPS students.

Request an ORCA Card

Students who do not have an ORCA card will need to create an ORCA account and request a card on the My ORCA website.

While students wait for their card from Metro, they may simply show their student ID to a Metro operator or Sound Transit Fare Ambassador, or if a student does not have a student ID, they may ride without one and will not be denied ridership.

Replacement ORCA Card

Students who have already signed up for an ORCA account can request a replacement card from the My ORCA website.

Students who have not signed up for an ORCA account will need to set one up so that they can request a replacement card from the My ORCA website.

While students wait for their replacement from Metro, they may simply show their student ID, to a Metro operator or Sound Transit Fare Ambassador, or if a student does not have a student ID, they may ride without one and will not be denied ridership.

Where can I use my ORCA card?

Your ORCA card can be used to take transit on services run by King County Metro, King County Water Taxi, Seattle Streetcar, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Pierce Transit, Kitsap Transit, Everett Transit, Seattle Center Monorail, and Via to Transit. The ORCA cards may not be used on Washington State Ferries. 

  • Bus: Tap the ORCA card against the reader after getting on the bus. Pull the yellow cord before your stop to indicate to the driver you would like to exit.   
  • Light Rail & Streetcar: Tap the ORCA card on the platform before getting on the train and a second time after you leave the train.  

ORCA cards cannot be tapped multiple times on a single journey and each rider must tap their own ORCA card. 

Assistance with Metro bus routes and schedules can be found at Metro’s website.

Taking the bus or light rail to school

Two people getting on the Metro Bus Route 7.

Everyone 18 and under is free on all transit in the region (bus light rail, ferry, etc.). An Orca card is encouraged but not required.

  • OneBusAway: download this app to know when your bus is coming (in real time).
  • Use King County Trip Planner (webpage and app) to plan your bus route.
  • Google Maps can also help find the best option.
  • Metro Flex is available in a few regions of the County. You can use an app or call a number for a Metro Flex van to pick you up and drop you off anywhere in the region – including school!