Recovery Card
ORCA Recovery Card
UPDATE (8/19/2021): Upcoming Distribution Dates
We are continuing to distribute ORCA Recovery Cards!
Cards will be distributed at Occidental Square (117 S Washington St, Seattle, WA) on a first-come, first-serve basis to eligible workers on the following dates:
- August 30, 10am-1pm
- August 31, 3pm-6pm
Stop by our table to pick up your card after preregistering by filling out our SurveyMonkey form. Employers or managers can preregister and pick up cards for their staff by providing proof of employment and a list of employees they are picking up cards for. Please see eligibility information below to ensure you are eligible for a card.
Background
In November 2020, Seattle voters approved STBD Proposition 1. The six-year proposition included an ordinance asking the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to support transportation access for Essential Workers in Seattle.
What is the ORCA Recovery Card?
The ORCA Recovery Card is a temporary, no-cost, fully-subsidized ORCA card provided to food service and grocery/ convenience store employees who work at a business in Pioneer Square and the Chinatown-International District, including Chinatown, Little Saigon, and Japantown. The pass is valid for use on King County Metro, King County Water Taxi, Seattle Streetcar, Seattle Center Monorail, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Pierce Transit, Kitsap Transit, and Everett Transit. The ORCA cards may not be used on Washington State Ferries.
The Seattle Department of Transportation will provide up to 2,000 cards to eligible employees.
How Can I Get a Card?
In order to receive a card, you need to complete a registration form. You can do this online prior to the distribution event or in person at the event. The form is available in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, and English. You can access the online form HERE. Please note that completing the registration form does not guarantee that you will receive a card, as distribution will still be first-come, first-served.
Can I Pick Up Cards for my Employees?
If you are a manager, supervisor, or owner, you may pick up cards for your employees. We ask that all employees complete their own registration form, and these must be filled out prior to card pickup. If you are picking up a card for your employees, you will need to provide the following:
- Proof of Your Employment**
- A list of names of employees who you are picking up cards for
**You only need to provide proof of your own employment if you are picking up cards for your employees.
Does Your Business Qualify for the Recovery Card?
In order for a business to qualify for the ORCA Recovery Card, it must meet four requirements:
- It must be classified as a food service or grocery business.
- It must reside within the geographic boundary outlined HERE.
- The business must not have more than 5 locations in the City of Seattle.
- The business cannot already provide a comparable transportation benefit.
Additional Questions?
Please reference our FAQ, available in five languages below: