ORCA Business Programs
What are ORCA Business Programs?
ORCA Business programs provide your employees access to Puget Sound’s growing public transit system. We understand that many employees who work in Bellevue travel from all around the Puget Sound to get to the Eastside and need transportation options to improve their commute and lifestyle. ORCA Business programs offer flexible solutions for businesses of all sizes and industries.
Connect Bellevue offers free consultations to help Bellevue businesses enroll, manage, and get the most out of these programs.
Talk to a Specialist
Mackenzie McDonald | Transportation Demand Management Specialist
ORCA Program Options
Two program options are offered depending on your business size, budget, and coverage needs. Not sure which fits? Talk to a specialist.
ORCA Business Passport
A comprehensive annual, bulk-pass program that gives your employees unlimited trips across seven transit agencies and four counties at a highly cost-effective rate.
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Unlimited rides on all regular bus services (Community Transit, Everett Transit, Kitsap Transit, King County Metro, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit)
Unlimited rides on Sound Transit Link light rail
Unlimited rides on Sounder commuter rail
100% vanpool fare subsidy (Community Transit, Kitsap Transit, Metro Transit, Pierce Transit)
100% Vanshare fare subsidy on Metro Transit Vanshare vans
King County Water Taxi and Kitsap Fast and Foot Ferries
Emergency Ride Home service (for trips meeting program criteria)
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Lowest cost per pass of any ORCA Business program
Low administrative burden. No monthly management or individualized passes
Manage employee cards online
Attract and retain employees with a competitive transit benefit
Combine with pre-tax commuter benefits to save on FICA taxes
Qualifies for the Commute Trip Reduction Tax Credit for B&O/PUT taxes
Helps meet sustainability and commute trip reduction goals
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Unlimited transit access for both commuting and personal travel
Save money on commuting costs
Spend less time in traffic. Use your commute to rest, read, or catch up on work
Reduces commute-related stress and supports overall well-being
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Minimum of 5 passes required to enroll. Custom contracts available for businesses with 499+ employees
Employers must purchase a pass for every benefits-eligible employee at the worksite to access bulk-pass pricing
Cost is based on your business location. Use King County Metro's Passport Zone Cost Estimator to find your zone and price per pass
Each pass provides 12 months of unlimited access
Prices are adjusted every 6 months to reflect fare changes across participating agencies
New customers may qualify for a significant discount off their first-year contract. Ask us about the New Customer Incentive
ORCA Business Choice
The most flexibility at retail rates. Employers decide who receives an ORCA card and how to fund that card. Choose from employee pre-tax, an employer e-purse subsidy, or a fully subsidized Puget Pass.
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Monthly transit passes at retail prices for bus, train, water taxi or Metro vanpool
Access to all regular bus services on Community Transit, Everett Transit, Kitsap Transit, King County Metro Transit, Pierce Transit and Sound Transit
Access to regular Sound Transit Link light rail service
Access to Sounder commuter rail
E-purse option. Fund your ORCA card like a pre-paid debit card. Pay for travel on a per-trip basis or convert e-purse funds to a monthly pass.
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No minimum coverage requirement – Only cover employees who demonstrate an interest or need for a transit pass
For businesses and budgets of all sizes – No minimum employee count or subsidy requirement for employers
Flexibility to change products from month to month
Conveniently pre-pay online
Combine with pre-tax and save on FICA taxes
Attract and retain employees with competitive transit benefits
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Lower commuting costs than paying out of pocket
If a card is lost or stolen, registered cards can be replaced and funds transferred
Use your commute to rest, read, or catch up on work instead of sitting in traffic
Contributes to a more sustainable commute
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No minimum employee count — available to businesses of all sizes
No minimum subsidy requirement — you decide how much to contribute
Retail pricing; not subject to bulk-pass zone pricing like Passport
Flexibility to adjust coverage month to month based on employee needs
Are you a current ORCA Business customer? We’d love to hear how it’s going. Share your experience and help other Bellevue businesses see what’s possible!
For Employees
Connect Bellevue can reach out to your employer on your behalf to discuss offering ORCA Business Programs to your team. And if you're looking to try transit on your own in the meantime, you can apply for a pre-loaded $25 ORCA card through the Choose Your Way Bellevue Try Transit Program.
Let your HR team know you want ORCA Business Passport
Wish your employer offered transit benefits? We make it easy to get the conversation started. We provide an email template you can send directly to your HR or benefits team, or you can fill out a short form, and we'll reach out to them for you.
Try Transit with Preloaded ORCA Cards
Through the Choose Your Way Bellevue Try Transit Program, individual commuters can get a pre-loaded $25 ORCA card to try public transit on their own.
Ready to get started?
Whether you're exploring ORCA programs for the first time or ready to enroll, we're here to help. Schedule a free consultation with our team today.
Mackenzie McDonald | Transportation Demand Management Specialist