Option 2, ORCA Lift

The ORCA Lift program is a King County Public Health program, Seattle University does not retain control of the ORCA Lift program and terms of the program are subject to change at Public Health's discretion. Students must be eligible for this program, please visit this link for Public Health's program requirements. Students must acquire their own SU Associated LIFT card from King County Public Health [201 S. Jackson, Seattle, WA], then apply for their 50% subsidy through Seattle University Public Safety. To apply for your ORCA Lift Card please visit this link and follow the prompts.  You must advise King County Public Health you need the LIFT card associated to Seattle University.

ORCA Lift Policies

  • Transportation Services cannot provide a transit product (ORCA) and a term or month-length parking permit to the same student within the same term
  • Subsidies will be loaded on to the ORCA Lift card as E-Purse value
  • Transportation Services can match your ORCA Lift E-Purse contribution once per term for new Orca product purchases made onto the LIFT card at the beginning of the academic term for which the subsidy is being requested for.  
  • The University will match qualifying subsidy requests up to $81 per quarter and $108 per semester
  • It is the student's responsibility to convert E-Purse to monthly pass
  • ORCA limits the maximum E-Purse balance at $300
    • Please Note: If the University subsidy causes the student's E-Purse value to exceed the maximum Orca balance, those additional funds will be forfeited, and no refunds will be offered
  • Lost ORCA cards should be reported to Public Safety, then replaced through King County Public Health

*Youth Cards - max matching subsidy is $81 per quarter. To apply for a subsidy, fill out the LIFT subsidy form and in the comment box write "Youth Card" 

*Regional Reduced Fare Permit [RRFP] - max matching subsidy is $54.  To apply for a subsidy, fill out the LIFT subsidy form and in the comment box write "Regional Reduced Fare Permit Orca card." 

Orca Card TypeMax Matching Subsidy Amount
LIFT $81
Youth $81
Regional Reduced Fare $54

*By acknowledging these policies, you agree to the terms of Seattle University's ORCA subsidization program. For more details on these policies please see our SU ORCA Lift E-Purse Subsidy Policy .

Documents Required to Obtain Your ORCA Lift Subsidy 

  1. SU ID Card 
  2. SU Associated Orca LIFT card (acquired from King County Public Health) 
  3. Transaction History / Valid Receipts
  4. SU Online Subsidy Request Form