Uplift Seattle's Equitable Access to Transit (U-SEAT) Research Project

A person sitting behind a desk with a sign that says "Uplift Seattle's Equitable Access to Transit" and they are holding up a brochure. The U-SEAT research project is a collaboration between SDOT, Uplift Northwest, and the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO). Together we are studying the impact of fully subsidized transit on the employment outcomes of low-income workers. This project is funded by the Seattle Transit Measure

Uplift Northwest, formerly the Millionair Club, is a Seattle-based nonprofit that provides jobs training, work opportunities, and other support services to people experiencing poverty and homelessness. Each year, their temporary staff agency connects hundreds of their clients with various jobs in and around Seattle. 

The Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) is a research branch of the University of Notre Dame. LEO focuses on working with local governments and nonprofit organizations around the country to implement robust evaluations of poverty interventions. 

We extend a huge thank you to our partners and volunteers who have helped us enroll hundreds of individuals into this research over the last three years. 

Our Partners

Uplift Northwest, formerly the Millionair Club, is a Seattle-based nonprofit that provides jobs training, work opportunities, and other support services to people experiencing poverty and homelessness. Each year, their temporary staff agency connects hundreds of their clients with various jobs in and around Seattle.

The Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) is a research branch of the University of Notre Dame. LEO focuses on working with local governments and nonprofit organizations around the country to implement robust evaluations of poverty interventions.

Background & History 

There is a need for better transit access among low-income workers. Being able to get to –and from job opportunities, in addition to other areas of daily life, remains a struggle for many Seattleites. We’ve heard from participants in other TAP programs that the ability to travel can determine whether someone is able to make a job shift or pursue a new opportunity, and the financial benefits of free transit reduces mental burden and frees up funds to be spent on other essentials.   

With this feedback in mind, we developed the idea for the Uplift Seattle’s Equitable Access to Transit Research Project after learning about the Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO). We brought LEO and our partner UpliftNorthwest together in 2022 to develop the project. 

This project offers a unique opportunity to conduct a randomized controlled trial to truly assess the impact of free transit on this population. Results from this study will help us understand where and how to invest funding in the future. 

How Will the Study be Run?

SDOT, Uplift Northwest, and LEO will answer the following research question:  

Is there an impact of receiving a fully subsidized transit card on:  

  • Employment decisions (shifts worked, hours worked, income levels)?
  • Well-being (benefits utilization, housing, transit usage vs. single occupancy vehicle use, quality of life)? 

To answer this question, we conducted a randomized controlled trial with clients of Uplift Northwest seeking temporary job placement. Consenting clients were sorted into either:  

  • a control group and received an ORCA card preloaded with $10, or  
  • a treatment group and received a fully subsidized ORCA card lasting one year.  

LEO will track all research participants’ ridership behavior and employment history through agreements with King County Metro and Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) for up to one year.  

What Happens After the Research Concludes?

Enrollment for the research ended in 2024, and the project will be completed by 2026. We will publish the results on this webpage, and we will use our learnings to guide where we invest funding in the future. 

Transportation

Adiam Emery, Interim Director
Address: 700 5th Ave, Suite 3800, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34996, Seattle, WA, 98124-4996
Phone: (206) 684-7623
684-Road@seattle.gov

Newsletter Updates

Subscribe

Sign up for the latest updates from Transportation

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is on a mission to deliver a transportation system that provides safe and affordable access to places and opportunities for everyone as we work to achieve our vision of Seattle as a thriving, equitable community powered by dependable transportation.