Save on transit with ORCA
When traveling by bus, light rail, train, on-demand rideshare, or other forms of public transit around the Puget Sound region, an ORCA card is the easiest way to pay for your fare.
ORCA works on the seven major public transportation agencies serving the region. ORCA works like cash or a pass, automatically tracking the value of different fares and transfers so you don't have to. Riders may also qualify for a free or reduced fare when they pay with ORCA.
ORCA Tap to Pay now available
Starting Feb. 23, Tap to Pay through ORCA lets you pay for transit with:
- A debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover Network, or American Express)
- Contactless payment with your phone or smart device (Apple Pay™, Google Pay™, or Samsung Pay™)
Simply tap your card, or tap with your phone to use. Riders also receive free, two-hour transfers on all modes of transit which accept Tap to Pay through ORCA. Fare enforcement: Ambassadors may ask to confirm the last 4 digits of your card to verify fare payment.
More info:
- Scan only one payment card, remove it from your wallet or purse.
- Adult fare only. Reduced or free fares are only available on ORCA cards.
- One card, one passenger – everyone needs their own card.
- Tap to Pay is not available on: Washington State Ferries, Seattle Center Monorail, King County Metro Access/Vanpool, Community Transit DART paratransit & Zip, or Pierce Transit Runner.
Fares by service
Reduced rates are available for youth riders, riders with disabilities, seniors, and low-income community members who qualify. Learn more about Reduced Fare programs
|
Service |
Adult Aged 19 to 64 |
Youth Aged 18 and younger |
Reduced Fares ORCA LIFT, 65+, Disabled and Medicare |
Subsidized Annual Pass Riders enrolled in one of six state benefit programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bus Includes local, express, and Swift bus rapid transit buses |
$2.50 / ride $90.00 Monthly Pass |
FREE |
$1.00 / ride $36.00 Monthly Pass |
FREE |
|
DART Paratransit For passengers with disabilities |
$2.50 / ride $90.00 Monthly Pass |
FREE |
$2.50 / ride $90.00 Monthly Pass |
FREE |
|
Zip Shuttle On-demand shared ride service |
$2.50 / ride $90.00 Monthly Pass |
FREE |
$1.00 / ride $36.00 Monthly Pass |
FREE |
Bus
Includes local, express, and Swift bus rapid transit buses
Rider Fare |
Monthly Pass |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Adult Aged 19 to 64 |
$2.50 |
$90.00 |
|
Youth Aged 18 and younger |
FREE |
FREE |
|
Reduced Fares ORCA LIFT, 65+, Disabled and Medicare |
$1.00 |
$36.00 |
|
Subsidized Annual Pass Riders enrolled in one of six state benefit programs |
FREE |
DART Paratransit
For passengers with disabilities
Rider Fare |
Monthly Pass |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Adult Aged 19 to 64 |
$2.50 |
$90.00 |
|
Youth Aged 18 and younger |
FREE |
FREE |
|
Reduced Fares ORCA LIFT, 65+, Disabled and Medicare |
$2.50 |
$90.00 |
|
Subsidized Annual Pass Riders enrolled in one of six state benefit programs |
FREE |
Zip Shuttle
On-demand shared ride service
Rider Fare |
Monthly Pass |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Adult Aged 19 to 64 |
$2.50 |
$90.00 |
|
Youth Aged 18 and younger |
FREE |
FREE |
|
Reduced Fares ORCA LIFT, 65+, Disabled and Medicare |
$1.00 |
$36.00 |
|
Subsidized Annual Pass Riders enrolled in one of six state benefit programs |
FREE |
| Vanpool Shared commuting | Fares based on daily roundtrip miles and van size, split by the number of riders. Calculate your vanpool costs. | ||
Vanpool
Shared commuting
Fares based on daily roundtrip miles and van size, split by the number of riders. Calculate your vanpool costs.
How to pay your fare
You can pay your transit fare with the following methods:
- Pay with a physical ORCA card loaded with an ORCA Pass or E-Purse.
- Pay with an Android device and Google Wallet™ when you connect your ORCA card.
- Tap to Pay using an ORCA card reader — pay for transit by tapping a debit or credit card or one on your phone with Apple Pay™, Google Pay™, or Samsung Pay™ (Visa, Mastercard, Discover Network, and American Express accepted. Tap to Pay is not available on DART paratransit or Zip Shuttle).
- Cash — full fare payment is required each time you board a new bus. Please use exact change.
- Swift ticket — when riding Swift Bus Rapid Transit, you can also pay by purchasing a ticket at a Swift ticket vending machine. These tickets are only valid on Swift buses.
What to know when paying your fare
Follow these tips below to keep your trip running smoothy:
- Scan only one ORCA card or other payment card on the reader.
- One card, one passenger — everyone needs their own card. Riders cannot pay for multiple riders or groups using one card or device.
- Remove your payment method from your wallet. Do not tap your entire wallet as signals from multiple cards could charge the wrong payment method.
- Tap to Pay riders will be charged the full adult fare. Reduced fare programs are only available through ORCA cards.
- Use an ORCA card, or use Tap to Pay with a debit or credit card, instead of cash to get credit for a transfer.
Fare inspection
Transit agency fare inspection staff may check for proof of payment.
- ORCA cards: staff will scan your card to verify payment.
- Tap to Pay: staff will ask you to share the last 4 digits of your card number. In some scenarios, you also may be asked to share the first 6 digits.
- Cash: on Swift buses, present your dated and timestamped paper ticket you received from the ticket vending machine at the Swift station.
How to get an ORCA card
Sign up for ORCA and start saving on transit.
- Sign up for an ORCA card online or;
- Purchase an ORCA card in person and load a pass or an E-Purse balance on it at a store, vending machine, or customer service location.
ORCA Business Programs
Learn more about how ORCA Business Programs can make it easy to offer employee transit benefits.
Transfers
You may need to take more than one bus or other form of transit to a destination. This is called a “transfer” because you will transfer from one ride to another.
You’ll have to pay a fare on each bus (or other mode of transit), but the total amount depends on how you pay. Paper transfers are not issued or accepted by Community Transit.
How to transfer
Here's how transfers work when going to another bus, light rail, ferry, or train based on how you are paying your fare.
ORCA card transfers
Using an ORCA card to pay can save you money for trips with multiple transfers. With ORCA, you can continue your trip on another bus or other mode of transit while getting credit for the fare you’ve already paid. ORCA transfers are valid for two hours after you first tap your card. If one part of your trip has a higher fare than you have previously paid, the ORCA reader will display the remainder owed and deduct it from your ORCA card if using an E-Purse balance.
Tap to Pay transfers
If you are paying with a debit or credit card using Tap to Pay, tap the same contactless card each time you ride to receive the same two-hour transfer benefit as with ORCA cards. Transfers only work between transit services which accept Tap to Pay and transfer benefits. Please note that Tap to Pay is not available on DART paratransit or Zip Shuttle.
Swift ticket transfer
Transfers using Swift tickets are valid only on Swift buses for up to two hours after the purchase of the ticket.
Cash
If using cash to pay your fare, full fare payment is required each time you board a new bus. Please use exact change.
More info
- King County Metro Transit tickets and transfers are not accepted on Community Transit. If you use both transit agencies, consider getting an ORCA card.
- State Ferries, Kitsap Fast Ferries, and Seattle Center Monorail are excluded from the 2-hour transfer credit policy. Riders who use ORCA E-purse and transfer from another ORCA agency will be charged the full fare.
Want help learning to ride the bus by yourself?
Our free Travel Training matches you with a trainer who shows you how to ride transit with confidence, offering simple tips and hands-on practice based on what you need.
Paying for your transit service is easy!
Local & express bus routes
Tap your ORCA card, or Tap to Pay method, as you board the bus or pay with cash. Tip: if paying with cash, please have exact fare ready. Drivers do not make change.
Swift bus routes
Tap your ORCA card, or Tap to Pay method, on a reader or buy a ticket from the kiosk at the station before you board. Keep your ticket with you as proof of payment.
Vanpool
You have the option to pay your monthly Vanpool fare online, through your employer, by mail, or using our onsite dropbox. Payments are due no later than the 5th of the billing month.
Dial-a-Ride Paratransit (DART)
Qualified DART riders can pay with an ORCA card, cash (exact change required) or with pre-purchased
DART tickets or monthly passes.
Zip Shuttle
Tap your ORCA card on the driver's hand-held reader as you board the Zip shuttle, or pay with cash. When paying with ORCA, each rider must have their own card and must tap their card when boarding. Tip: if paying with cash, please have exact fare ready. Drivers do not make change. You can also pay ahead with a debit or credit card when booking a ride via app.
