As a way to introduce new riders to King County Metro, the agency is offering a limited time promotion to residents of Auburn, Black Diamond, Covington, Enumclaw, Kent and Maple Valley where if you register online, you'll receive an ORCA transit card that is valued at $15, according to a press release.

Visit www.kingcounty.gov/metropromo to fill in your information and you'll receive a free ORCA card, pre-loaded with $10 to use towards fares. The reusable ORCA card itself is worth $5, and together with the $10 for fares, that's a $15 value. 

Other restrictions include one card per household and you must be 18 years or older to apply. The offer expires October 15, 2011.

Metro Routes 149, 164, and 168 have been improved and expanded to offer more trips, more often, according to the agency. 

Metro buses now come every 30 minutes, so riders of routes 168 and 164 will enjoy twice the service as before. And expanded service for Kent-East Hill residents means a bus every 15 minutes from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Metro is also now offering more park and ride spaces for riders of routes 168 and 149; improved bus stops with enhanced waiting areas for transit riders at select stops; and increased off-peak service for mid-day travelers. 

For more information and trip planning assistance:
Metro Transit: www.kingcounty.gov/metro
206-553-3000
Toll-Free: 1-800-542-7876
TTY Relay: 711