Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP)
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What is the RRFP?
The Regional Reduced Fare Permit entitles senior riders (age 65 or older), riders with a disability and Medicare card holders to reduced fares on the following public transportation systems in the Puget Sound region:
- Metro Transit
- Community Transit
- Everett Transit
- Pierce Transit
- Intercity Transit
- Jefferson Transit
- Skagit Transit
- Kitsap Transit
- Sound Transit
- Mason Transit
- Washington State Ferries
- King County Water Taxi
- South Lake Union Streetcar
*The RRFP discount is not applicable on ADA Paratransit Services.
With the Regional Reduced Fare Permit, eligible persons do not need to carry more than one permit to receive reduced-fare benefits of multiple systems within the region.
How much does an RRFP cost?
The Regional Reduced Fare Permit costs $3.
The RRFP entitles permit-holders to reduced fares. Each transit agency sets its own reduced fare structure. For Metro fare information, visit fares.
There is no charge to exchange an existing Senior or Permanent RRFP for an ORCA RRFP.
Who is Eligible?
Any person who presents proof of one or more of the following conditions can get a Regional Reduced Fare Permit:
- Is at least 65 years of age.
- Is now eligible for Social Security disability benefits or now gets Supplemental Security Income Benefits because of disability. (Temporary)
- Is now certified by the Veterans Administration at a 40 percent or greater disability level.
- Has a valid Medicare card issued by the Social Security Administration. (Temporary)
- Has a valid Regional ADA paratransit card.
- Has a valid ADA Paratransit card from outside the region. (Temporary)
- Has obvious physical impairments meeting one or more of the RRFP Eligibility Criteria.
- Is certified by a Washington State-licensed physician (M.D.), psychiatrist, psychologist (Ph.D.), Physician Assistant (P.A.), Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (A.R.N.P.), or audiologist (certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association) as meeting one or more of the RRFP Eligibility Criteria. Call Metro at 206-553-3000, 206-684-2029 for TTY users, to get a certification form or use the RRFP Application Form, and have your doctor fill it out before you register.
A Personal Care Attendant Regional Reduced Fare Permit is available for persons who require an aid to facilitate travel all or some of the time.
Where is it issued?
Disability RRFP (for persons under 65)
Disability RRFPS are issued in person only.
Persons under 65 who qualify for a permit due to a disability must have their picture taken for the permit when it is issued.
Disability RRFPs can only be obtained at the Metro Customer Service Office at King Street Center.
Come prepared!
- Have cash, credit, or a check or money order for $3 made payable to Metro Transit
- Download the Application Form or call Customer Information at 206-553-3000 or TTY Relay 711 to request an application.
- Complete the FRONT of the application form and sign it
- Bring along:
- the BACK of the Application Form completed by a Washington State-licensed physician (M.D.), psychiatrist, psychologist (Ph.D.), physician assistant (P.A.), advanced registered nurse practitioner (A.R.N.P.), or audiologist (certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association) as meeting one or more of the RRFP Eligibility Criteria OR
- a valid Medicare card issued by the Social Security Administration (temporary) OR
- a valid Regional ADA paratransit card OR
- a valid ADA Paratransit card from outside the region (temporary).
- Also bring one of the following photo identification documents:
- a state driver identification license OR
- a state identification card (expired cards acceptable); OR
- a passport.
Senior RRFPs (for persons 65 and over)
Senior RRFPs can be obtained either in person or by mail. Pictures are not required for the Senior RRFP.
In Person:
Senior RRFPs can be obtained in person at either of Metro's Customer Service offices.
Come prepared!
- Have cash, credit, or a check or money order for $3 made payable to Metro Transit
- Download the Application Form or call Customer Information at 206-553-3000 or TTY Relay 711 to request an application.
- Complete ONLY the FRONT of the application form and sign it.
- Bring along:
- a state driver identification license or identification card (expired cards acceptable); OR
- a birth certificate; OR
- a passport; OR
- any state or federal document that contains your name and birthdate.
By Mail:
Senior RRFPs can be obtained by mail using the application form.
- Enclose a check or money order for $3 made payable to Metro Transit.
- Download the Application Form or call Customer Service at 206-553-3000 or TTY Relay 711 to request an application.
- Complete ONLY the FRONT of the application form and sign it.
- Enclose a COPY of one of the following to verify your age:
- a state driver identification license or I.D. card (expired cards acceptable); OR
- a birth certificate; OR
- a passport; OR
- any state or federal document that contains your name and birthdate.
- Mail completed RRFP Application Form to:
- Metro Transit
KSC-TR-0102
201 S Jackson St
Seattle, WA 98104-3856
 How does an RRFP work on the ORCA card?
RRFPs are now available on an ORCA card.
Do you need an ORCA RRFP card?
Yes, if you
- Ride the bus or train frequently.
- Transfer between Metro and Sound Transit or other transit services.
- Don't always have the exact fare.
- Want to buy a monthly pass.
No, if you have an existing RRFP card and
- Travel on Metro only.
- Plan to pay your fare with cash.
- Ride Metro only once in awhile and don't mind paying cash fare. ("Metro only" transfers will be available for cash-paying customers.)
How a monthly PugetPass works on an ORCA RRFP
You may load a monthly pass onto your ORCA RRFP to pay your reduced fares. Since reduced fares on Metro are $.75 per trip, you will need to purchase a monthly $27 PugetPass (valid for a $.75 fare).
The PugetPass will not only cover your fare on King County Metro buses, but also will apply $.75 towards any bus trips taken on Community Transit, Everett Transit, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, King County Access vans and the Water Taxi. If the fare is more than $.75 you will need to pay the difference. With the PugetPass, you will also be able to ride all ST Link trips and any ST Regional Express bus trips within any county that ST Express busses operate. If you ride an ST Express bus from King County to another county, you pay the additional fare above the $.75 value of your PugetPass.
You can conveniently have the $.75 PugetPass automatically load to your RRFP every month by following these steps:
- Purchase a $.75 PugetPass ($27) for the month following the expiration date of your annual pass, anytime after the first of the month that your annual pass expires. For example, if your annual pass has an expiration date of February 2011, you can buy your March monthly Puget Pass as early as February 1st. Please Note: You can only set-up an Autoload if the pass product is already present on your card.
- Set-up an Autoload online for the new PugetPass. The Autoload function will activate about 24 hours later when you first tap the card. Your new pass will automatically load when you first use your RRFP card the following month.
You can set-up an Autoload online, by mail or in-person:
Online:
If you have online access to view your card, you can set-up your new Autoload at www.orcacard.com.
By Mail:
If you do not already have an online account, then we will need a signed copy of an Autoload form. Go to www.orcacard.com, enter "Autoload form" in the Search field at the top of the screen and select "Print Autoload form". Please sign the ORCA Autoload form and mail it to:
ORCA Regional Mail Center
201 S Jackson St
MS TR-0108
Seattle, WA 98104-3856
In Person:
- Metro Pass Sales Office, 201 S. Jackson St, Seattle; Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Westlake Customer Stop, Westlake Tunnel Station, Westlake Mezzanine, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Monthly PugetPasses are also available online at www.orcacard.com, by mail through the ORCA Regional Mail Center, in-person at the pass sales offices listed above, or at our ORCA third-party retail outlets. Please call 1-888-988-6722 for the location nearest you. Please call King County Metro Customer Information at 206-553-3000 if you have any questions. Thank you.
Transfers and ORCA
ORCA provides automatic transfers between systems within two hours. Metro Transit will continue to provide paper transfers between Metro buses only for those that pay cash.
Paying with an ORCA RRFP
A valid ORCA RRFP is good for reduced fares on the transit systems listed above. Any fare product loaded on an ORCA RRFP will be valid only on the transit systems that use ORCA: Metro Transit buses, King County Water Taxi, Community Transit, Everett Transit, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit , Sound Transit, and Washington State Ferries passenger fare.
Where is the ORCA RRFP issued?
Exchanging a Senior RRFP
Seniors may trade in their old-style Regional Reduced Fare Permits at our Customer Service offices.
You can trade in your old-style Senior Regional Reduced Fare Permit for an ORCA RRFP at any time at no charge. Just mail or bring in your old permit, and we'll give you an ORCA Reduced Fare Permit at no charge.
Exchanging a Permanent RRFP
Permanent Regional Reduced Fare Permits are only available at the King Street Center Customer Service office.
You can trade in your old-style Permanent Regional Reduced Fare Permit for an ORCA RRFP at any time at no charge. Just bring in your old permit, and we'll give you an ORCA Reduced Fare Permit at no charge.
Temporary RRFP
New temporary RRFP card holders will always get an ORCA RRFP card.
Getting an ORCA RRFP without an existing RRFP card
The application process for getting a new ORCA RRFP is ths same as the old RRFP application process. See the instructions at the Where is it issued section above.
More Information
If you have questions or comments about the Regional Reduced Fare Permit, contact Customer Information at 206-553-3000. TTY users please dial the Washington State Relay Service at 711. You can also e-mail customer.comments@kingcounty.gov
Special Metro RRFP HelpLine
For ORCA information, call the Metro RRFP HelpLine at 206-205-9185 for a pre-recorded message. You can also leave a question at this phone number. Someone will respond to you in one business day.
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