ORCA
ORCA (One Regional Card for All) is a smart card fare-payment system for the Puget Sound region. As a smart card system, ORCA cards are capable to store cash (stored transit value) and passes depending on agency.
ORCA card is accepted by the following agencies. Some offer passes for the card and others only accept stored values for now:
- King County Metro
- Seattle Streetcar
- Sound Transit
- Community Transit
- Kitsap Transit
- Everett Transit
- Pierce Transit
- Washington State Ferries
Contents
Card features
- Riders can use the same card to transfer between different operators. With pass and funds in e-purse, the card can automatically pay the fare difference beyond what the pass covers.
- Riders can purchase passes online.
- By registering the card, a rider can recover the pass or value in case of the card is loss or stolen. $5 replacement fee is required.
Card drawbacks
- Card costs $3
- Two people cannot use the same card
- If the card is not working (not the reader), the rider must pay cash fare
Where to get cards
Reduced Fare Permit
Special ORCA cards for seniors and disabled (also known as Reduced Fare Permit) allow discounted fares to be charged. Submit a completed application to any of the participating agency. Cost is $3.
- King County Metro Transit
- Community Transit
- Everett Transit
- Pierce Transit
- Intercity Transit
- Jefferson Transit
- Skagit Transit
- Kitsap Transit
- Sound Transit
- Mason Transit
- Washington State Ferries
Youth ORCA cards
Youth (age 6 to 18) requires proof of age. May be ordered by mail. Provides free service on all transit agencies listed above.
How to add pass or value
Regardless of where you get the card, you can always add value to your card through:
- Online
- Retail locations
- Sound Transit ticket machine
If you choose to add value through the web site, it would take up to 48 hours for the values to show up on the reader.
How to pay with the card
Simply tap the card on the ORCA reader onboard buses or at stations and hold it for a beep.
