As some may know, there will be a new Kent Des Moines Station directly across Highway 99 for the light rail on Dec. 6 right outside of Highline. The highly anticipated light rail stop connects Highline to the 1-line, which will have the system grow by nearly eight miles. This extension will be its fourth in the past two years.

The Seattle Times says, “It is expected to add up to 23,000 riders to the 120,000 who already take the train on the average weekday. With three new stops in South King County — Kent Des Moines, Star Lake and Federal Way Downtown — the spine of the system will stretch 40 miles.”

The Seattle Times also got quotes from our very own Vongseyvitou Chhit, an elected student leader at Highline College. “Public transportation is my main mode of transportation. I don’t have a car,” said Chhit. “So, yes, I definitely will use it.” 

Students also will depend on the train to get to school, to reach internships in Seattle and even for concerts or Mariners games.

Highline College running start student Kabira Prim, attended a presentation on Tuesday, Nov. 25, which was led by Alonzo Buckner, the Sound Transit Senior Community Engagement Specialist. He went over some basic information about the light rail that can be found on the Sound Transit website such as run times for the trains and ticket prices.

For some quick information on those prices – any who are the age of 18 or under ride for free, any who are 65 and older pay only one dollar along with those with a disability. The trains however, do not take cash like the Sound Transit buses do, so make sure to bring or buy yourself an ORCA card if you plan on using the light rail often.

Prim made a comment on the upcoming opening of the new light rail stops, saying, “As someone who grew up using the light rail with my dad as a main form of transportation at one point, I found this meeting very interesting.”

“It was exciting to see the progress of the light rail and hear about the opening of the new station here at Highline. I think having this station here is going to be great and very convenient for the public,” said Prim.

Public Safety announced to faculty and staff Wednesday about an ORCA Incentive Program to offer transportation funds to eligible students. This incentive program will begin its trial period on the first day of winter quarter. Public Safety will be gauging participation levels, financial stability, and administrative feasibility. 

Under this incentive program, Highline College will match any funds between $10-$50 that’s loaded onto Highline-issued ORCA cards for eligible students.

“Your ORCA card will then contain double the amount you loaded—in transit value per quarter! Keep your ORCA card for future quarters! You can reload it and request the match again if you continue to qualify,” stated Public Statement in the announcement email. 

There are some conditions for eligibility. Students must be enrolled in at least one credit class during the current quarter and must not have picked up a parking permit for the quarter. Only one ORCA Incentive Form can be submitted each quarter.

Credit classes are courses you’re taking towards earning a degree. For example, Biology 110 is a credit class. ESOL and continuing education classes are generally not credit courses. 

Only one matching contribution is allowed per student each quarter, which means you cannot add more to the card within a single quarter with an expectation that Highline will match that amount again. The matching funds will be added only after you load your ORCA card and submit the form.

All-in-all, many are excited about the opening of the new Kent Des Moines Station, and I’m sure many will be excited about the ORCA Incentive Program and look forward to using it over winter quarter, and throughout the rest of the new year.