ORCA Tips

ORCA Tips

If you already are one of the thousands of customers who have an ORCA card, thank you for coming onboard! The following are some handy tips to help you ride with ORCA. Add Value to ORCA - When you add value to your card online or by phone it will take about 24 hours for the ORCA system to process the order. The ORCA database "talks" to the card readers daily, sending out information such as values that have been added to cards. When you tap your card at an ORCA card reader after that period, the pass or E-purse value will be added to your card, and ready to use. - To add a new pass or E-purse value right away, bring your card to an ORCA Customer Service Office, a Retail Outlet or a Fare Vending Machine where the pass or E-purse will be processed and immediately ready for use. Tap Within 60 Days - When you add value to your card online or by phone, remember to "tap" on the ORCA card reader within 60 days to activate the pass or E-purse. Once you tap, the value you added is ready to use. - If you have not used your ORCA card within 60 days of adding value please contact ORCA Customer Service. E-purse value does not expire and will be restored to your ORCA card. A current monthly pass will be restored however an expired monthly pass will not be restored or refunded. View Transaction History - To view transaction history online you must have a registered ORCA card and an online My ORCA Account. Fare payment and add value transactions take about 24 hours to display in your Transaction History. Pending Account Status - When you add value to a registered ORCA card online, your My ORCA Account status will display as pending. Tap the card after the 24-hour processing period and the card's pending status will change to active. - Remember, when you view your ORCA card's activity in your Transaction History it will be an additional day behind your travel activity. Resetting Online Password - To protect your My ORCA Account online password, if you are resetting the password do not use a password you have previously used. How to Tap - Place your ORCA card flat against the ORCA logo on the card reader. - On the bus, tap when you pay. - On the train, tap at the reader located on the train station platform prior to boarding. Be sure to also tap off so the correct fare is calculated. - On WSF, tap at the turnstile, toll booth or on the handheld reader. - When a valid ORCA card is tapped the ORCA card reader will either: - "beep" once and display a green light, or - "beep" twice and display a yellow light which means the E-purse is low or the pass is about to expire, or means value is being added from an online or phone transaction. - When a card has insufficient funds or an expired pass the ORCA card reader will "beep" four times and display a red light. An alternative fare payment will be required. Reporting ORCA Issues - When you call or email a comment or question about your ORCA card, the ORCA card reader display, or a fare transaction, include as many details as possible. - Helpful details include: date and time, coach number, bus route, ferry terminal, train station or ticket vending machine location, plus your Card Serial Number if available. Youth - Youths between 6 and 18 years are eligible for reduced fare with a valid youth ORCA card. Bring proof of age to an ORCA Customer Service location or mail an ORCA card order form along with proof of age. The ORCA card order form and mailing information is available at www.orcacard.com or call ORCA Customer Service. Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) - If you already have a valid RRFP you may exchange it for a new ORCA RRFP at no charge at your local transit agency's Customer Service Office. - To obtain a new ORCA RRFP contact your local transit agency's Customer Service Office. While you cannot order an RRFP ORCA card online or by phone, once you have an RRFP ORCA card you may add value online, by phone or in person at an ORCA Customer Service Office, a fare vending machine or a retail location. - We recommend you wait until you receive your ORCA RRFP before you set up an online My ORCA Account. Transferring with ORCA - Transfers are easy with a valid pass or E-purse on your ORCA -- the card does the math for you. The card reader will display any additional fare required. - Transfers are one of the benefits of using your ORCA card, as inter-system paper transfers, currently issued with cash fares, are being phased out. The transfer expires two hours after you tap on the ORCA card reader. - The card reader recognizes each leg of your journey within the two hour period and you will not be charged the full fare for each subsequent leg. - With an agency specific pass on your ORCA card you can transfer within that agency's services. Fare zones - If you ride a Metro or ST Express bus with multiple zones and do not travel the full length of the route let the driver know before you tap your ORCA card. The driver will preset the reader so you pay for the correct number of zones.