Bus & ORCA Card for Bellevue College Students and Employees

There are many ways to get to the Bellevue College campus. Busing is a great choice. By taking the bus, you reduce your environmental impact and greenhouse gases associated with climate change. Driving to campus alone is Bellevue College’s largest greenhouse gas emission source!

A bus drives through BC's campus.

Location & Contact Info

Location: C105 Student Business Center, Transportation Desk

Email: transportation@bellevuecollege.edu

Phone: (425) 564-2720

The Office of Sustainability can assist you with general transportation and ORCA Card questions. We also offer one-on-one transportation help with the bus, biking, carpooling, and more.

Tools for Taking the Bus

Here are some tools that can help you with busing to campus:

  • The Bellevue College Bus and Bicycle Map can help you understand the different bus lines that serve our campus. There are many at the Eastgate Park & Ride or on campus by the parking garage, offered by King County Metro and Sound Transit.
  • Check out King County Metro to find bus route maps and schedules that will get you to campus.
  • King County Trip Planner lets you plan your trip based on where you need to be and when. Hint: Enter both “Bellevue College” and “Eastgate” as your destination to get to campus.
  • One Bus Away (available online or app) updates you with real-time bus arrival data, so you never miss a bus or waste time waiting.
  • Google Maps (available online or app) is another great trip planner with live transit updates.
  • Wondering how much you will pay to take the bus? Visit King County Metro Fares and Sound Transit Fares

Transit Subsidy: Several Options for Students

Due to the COVID-19 response, ORCA Cards and Commuter Checks are available to Bellevue College students by appointment only

Please complete the Online Application Form. You will be notified via email about available appointment times.

Since Spring Quarter 2015, Bellevue College has offered an exclusive “Double Your Money” Transit Subsidy for students to access the area’s transportation network. Enjoy rides on Metro and Sound Transit, and other Puget Sound modes of transportation. See the options below to determine the best choice for you.

ORCA Plus

What is ORCA Plus?

ORCA stands for One Regional Card for All. ORCA is the name of the transit card in our area, and can be used for bus, train, water taxi, and ferry systems.

ORCA Plus is the program managed by Bellevue College, which doubles the bus money available to students. Also known as the “Double Your Money” program.

ORCA Plus can be purchased at increments of $60 (get $120 value loaded onto your card) and $120 (get $240 value loaded onto your card).

Once students purchase the ORCA Plus Card, it is their property. Students should register their card in case it becomes lost or is stolen. For assistance on registering the ORCA Plus Card, see “Register your ORCA Card.”

ORCA Plus Options

  • ORCA Plus Blue — $240 Value (purchased for $120). Requires registration in 10 credits or more.
  • ORCA Plus Silver — $120 Value (purchased for $60). Requires registration in 5 credits or more.

How to Purchase

The ORCA Plus Cards are on sale at the Student Financial Services Office (U107) the week prior to the first day of each quarter. Supplies are limited.** NOTE- Due to COVID-19, Student Financial Services are issuing ORCA Cards by appointment only. Fill out the Online Application Form.

Free Public Transportation for Kids

As of September 1, 2022, those 18 years of age and younger can ride all public transit in the Puget Sound Transit district for free. Just show your ID to the driver or tap your current youth ORCA card at no charge (if you have neither of these, you can still ride for free!).

If you kept the Youth ORCA card issued by BC during the 2021-22 academic year, it will continue to work through June 30, 2023. After that, youth riders can sign up to receive an official youth transit pass (free of charge!).  

Reduced Fare Transit Options

Two programs assist eligible transit riders with reduced fare: ORCA LIFT and the Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP).

What is ORCA LIFT?

Available based on household incomes of less than double the federal poverty level. Being enrolled in Medicaid, EBT, TANF, or having the Opportunity/State Needs grant automatically qualifies a person for the program. See if you qualify.

ORCA LIFT Bellevue College Options

  • Commuter Check — $240 Value (purchased for $120). Requires registration in 10 credits or more.
  • Commuter Check — $120 Value (purchased for $60). Requires registration in 5 credits or more.

How to Purchase

Follow these 4 steps:

  1. Visit the ORCA LIFT Website and follow application instructions.
  2. Visit one of the authorized ORCA LIFT enrollment offices with your income verification documents. The process takes just minutes. The office will confirm your eligibility, officially register you, and give you your free ORCA LIFT card. The nearest ORCA LIFT enrollment office to Bellevue College is located at King County Public Health in Eastgate.
  3. Purchase a Commuter Check at the Bellevue College Student Financial Services (U107)
    • $240 and $120 Commuter Checks available. Confirm your ORCA LIFT eligibility prior to purchasing the Commuter Check.
    • A Commuter Check is a debit card that can only be used on transit programs, but offers all the same Bellevue College “Double Your Money” program value.
    • ** NOTE – Due to COVID-19, Student Financial Services are issuing Commuter Checks by appointment only. Please fill out the  Online Application Form.
  4. Load your Commuter Check value onto your ORCA Card. For assistance loading a Commuter Check onto your ORCA card, see the “Load your Commuter Check” video.

What is Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP)?

Available for those aged 65 or over OR by disability. See if you qualify.

RRFP Bellevue College Options

  • Commuter Check — $240 Value (purchased for $120). Requires registration in 10 credits or more.
  • Commuter Check — $120 Value (purchased for $60). Requires registration in 5 credits or more.

How to Purchase

Follow these 3 steps:

  1. Qualify at ORCA Customer Service in King Street Station, Seattle.
  2. Purchase a Commuter Check at the Bellevue College Student Financial Services (U107)
    • $240 and $120 Commuter Checks available. Confirm your RRFP eligibility prior to purchasing the Commuter Check.
    • A Commuter Check is a debit card that can only be used on transit programs, but offers all the same Bellevue College “Double Your Money” value.
    • ** NOTE – Due to COVID-19,  Student Financial Services are issuing Commuter Checks by appointment only. Please fill out the Online Application Form.
  3. Load your Commuter Check value onto your ORCA RRFP Card. For assistance loading a Commuter Check onto your ORCA card, see the “Load your Commuter Check” video.

Eligibility/Terms for Bellevue College ORCA PLUS and Commuter Check Cards

  • Bellevue College transit subsidies are the property of the student who purchased them – they are not transferable to another person.
  • Only one card sale per eligible student is allowed per quarter.
  • Commuter Check for ORCA cards should be used in the quarter they are issued.
  • Registered ORCA cards may be reported lost, stolen or damaged by visiting orcacard.com or calling ORCA customer service (888) 988-6722.
  • To receive the subsidy, students must complete the Online Application Form. Instructions will be sent to schedule an appointment.

Bus Pass (ORCA) for Bellevue College Employees

ORCA stands for One Regional Card for All. ORCA is the name of the transit card in our area.

Employees have a great deal too! Bellevue College offers an ORCA Passport Program to benefits-eligible employees, available for use on Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro, King County Water Taxi, Kitsap Transit and Kitsap Ferries, Monorail, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, and Seattle Streetcar.

For more information or to apply, please contact payroll@bellevuecollege.edu or 425-564-4270.